Baseball Legend and 1971 World Series Hero Dave Giusti Passes Away at 86, Leaving Behind Untold Stories

It’s with a heavy heart that I share news of Dave Giusti’s passing at the age of 86 — a man who wasn’t just a bullpen mainstay but a key architect in the Pittsburgh Pirates’ 1971 World Series triumph. You remember those days, right? The grit, the grind, and Giusti’s steady arm coming out of the bullpen like clockwork. The Pirates announced his death this past Sunday, a solemn moment for baseball and anyone who cherishes that golden era of the game.

Giusti’s journey through the majors was nothing short of remarkable. Over 15 seasons and 668 appearances from ’62 to ’77, he carved out a legacy, starting in Houston before finding his stride with the Pirates after coming over from St. Louis. The ’71 season? Oh, he was unstoppable — leading the National League with 30 saves, then shutting down opposing hitters with over 10 scoreless innings in the playoffs. That was the kind of clutch performance legends are made of.

If you’ve been following baseball long enough, you know he made his sole All-Star nod in ’73 and racked up 133 saves for Pittsburgh, locking him in third place on their all-time saves leaderboard. After wrapping up his career with stints in Oakland and Chicago, Giusti left behind a record that speaks volumes.

Born in Seneca Falls, New York, and sharpened at Syracuse, he broke into the big leagues as an amateur free agent with the Houston Colt .45s, making an impression right from his rookie year. Beyond the stats and the accolades, Dave Giusti leaves behind a family — his wife, two daughters, and four grandchildren. It’s a poignant moment to reflect on the man behind the mound, whose steady presence we’ll sorely miss. LEARN MORE

PITTSBURGH — Dave Giusti, a reliable reliever who spent 15 years in the majors and helped the Pittsburgh Pirates win the 1971 World Series title, has died. He was 86.

The club, citing Giusti’s family, said he died on Sunday.

The right-hander went 100-93 with a 3.60 ERA in 668 career appearances for five clubs from 1962-77. He began his career as a starter in Houston but had his greatest success with the Pirates, who acquired him from St. Louis in October 1969 and then moved him to the bullpen full-time.

Giusti led the National League with 30 saves in 1971, then added 10 2/3 scoreless innings in the playoffs as the Pirates beat the Giants in the NLCS and then the Baltimore Orioles in seven games in the World Series.

Giusti made his lone All-Star appearance in 1973. He played seven seasons for Pittsburgh, registering 133 saves, which ranks third in franchise history. He split time between Oakland and the Chicago Cubs in 1977 before retiring.

A native of Seneca Falls, New York, Giusti played collegiately at Syracuse before being signed by Houston, then an expansion team known as the Colt .45s, as an amateur free agent. He appeared in 22 games as a rookie in 1962, spent all of 1963 in the minors before returning to the majors for good after being called up during the 1964 season.

Giusti is survived by his wife, two daughters and four grandchildren.