2/12/25

Tom Brennan: Can A Met Pen Arm Replicate Roy Face Circa 1959?


The Mets Had to Face the Face of Elroy Face 

You know me.  I'm not greedy.  Just once, I'd like the following...

You see, we've never had an Elroy Face, vintage 1959, in our pen.

In 1959, Face went 18-1 with a 2.70 ERA for Pittsburgh, with 10 saves.

18-1?  

Yes, I'll take one of those for Queens.

I'd even settle for his 1962 season, frankly, when he was only 8-7, but pitched to a scanty 1.88 ERA along with 28 saves.

(Somehow he was just 6-8 vs. the lowly 1960s Mets lifetime, despite a 2.09 ERA vs. the Amazin's.)

His nickname should have been Save Face. 

After all, Face won 104 games, saved 191.

So who's it gonna be, Metsies?  

Reed Garrett going 18-1?  

Jose Butto giving us 18-1?

C'mon fellas, don't be bashful.  

Somebody, step up and commit to 18-1 in 2025.

18-1.  That's all I ask.  Just once. You know me. I'm not greedy.

(Mr. Face, BTW, spent 5 full years out of his first 6 pro seasons in the minors (he went 81-38 in the minors), and still pitched in 16 major league seasons.  The 5'8" righty started 27 major league games, but mostly relieved, as he also threw more than 1,200 innings in major league relief.  Elroy Face was a Workhorse.)

Elroy is still alive and will turn 97 next week.  Happy birthday, Roy.


And Kodai Senga? He may not go 18-1 this year, but he says he is 100% healthy.  Don’t ignore great news….that is great news. 

 

14 comments:

Tom Brennan said...

Beats Anthony Young, huh?

Remember1969 said...

Put them together and they were a pretty darned good .500 pitcher. Anthony Young had a lot of bad luck.

Remember1969 said...

I will go out on a limb and guess that if anyone on the Mets finishes the year with an 18-1 record it will one of the starting pitchers, not a reliever. That would be a good thing to research - how many wins came late in the game, but with Soto in the line-up, I have a hunch that they will score more runs earlier in the games this year which the starters will turn into wins. It just seems that a lot of the starters left last year's games either tied or down a run - a lot of 2-1 games in the 5th. I don't know whether that is actually the case, but it felt that way.

LouieFromNJ said...

How about in 1986 when the Mets won. Check out Roger McDowell's stats as a reliever => Roger McDowell 14-9 3.02

Rds 900. said...

I remember what a great pitcher Face was. Didn't realize he was only 5'8.

TexasGusCC said...

Today on Amazin Avenue, I found this link to an interview David Stearns did with a college buddy of his, Pablo Torre. Truly a worthwhile investment of 50 minutes that anyone can do, I couldn’t go to work until it finished and that is a mindset I haven’t had in close to thirty years. Hope you check it out:

https://youtu.be/tumGMFvftU4?si=5FoYr7ZmQs835uOR

Tom Brennan said...

Gus, no time to look at it now. Maybe tomorrow.

Tom Brennan said...

Louie, 14-9 is good - but 18-1 is better. At least according to the math lessons my nuns taught me.

Tom Brennan said...

Ray, that shorty Roy Face (minors and majors) pitched in 1,020 games, 123 of which were starts, and 2,415 innings. 185 wins.
Impressive. Doubt his total career earnings totaled $1 million.

Paul Articulates said...

Fun bit of history Tom! Keep 'em coming!

Tom Brennan said...

R69, I would settle for Senga duplicating David Cone's 20-3 year. What a trade that was, to get Cone.

Tom Brennan said...

Ray, that $15.75 million per year for both 2025 and 2026 for McNeil is a big nut to move. I could see another team thinking he is worth $15 to $20 million for the 2 years. I remain skeptical of Luis Acuna, because he is so small. He needs to show me more before I think that he (or Mauricio) can show McNeil the door.

Gary Seagren said...

Face the Face great Townshend song. I think we underestimate LA but remember the bloodline I'll take it. Thoughts of WEE Willie Keeler Freddie Patek Rabbit Maranville Joe Sewell Hack Wilson (and his numbers were before Roids WOW so that was Alcohol?) Phil Rizzuto Jose Altuve and Joe Morgan race thru my head why the Hell not! All this talk of LA this and LA that well we have our own LA so go get em LuisAngel!!! By the way Mack told me he saw Hack play once and was on a barnstorming trip with him. What memories.

Rds 900. said...

Did not realize Mack was THAT old.