Dave Giusti, a pioneering relief pitcher famed for his deceptive 'palm ball' and a key figure in the Pittsburgh Pirates' 1971 World Series triumph, has died at the age of 86.
A Career Defined by Reinvention and Reliability
Giusti enjoyed a 15-year Major League Baseball career from 1962 to 1977, appearing for five different clubs. The right-hander compiled a record of 100 wins and 93 losses with a 3.60 ERA across 668 games. He began as a starter with the Houston Colt .45s but found his true calling after a trade to the Pittsburgh Pirates in October 1969, where he transitioned full-time to the bullpen.
This move proved historic. According to the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR), Giusti was a pioneer in establishing the modern 'closer' role. His peak season came in 1971 when he led the National League with 30 saves. That dominance continued into the postseason, where he pitched 10 and 2/3 scoreless innings during the Pirates' championship run.
The 1971 World Series and a Signature Pitch
Giusti's contributions were vital in securing the World Series title against the Baltimore Orioles. He made three appearances in the Fall Classic without allowing a single run, stifling a powerful lineup that included legends Frank Robinson and Boog Powell.
His weapon of choice was a rarely seen changeup known as the palm ball. Difficult to command but devastatingly effective, it offered a sharp velocity drop and a downward break, generating numerous groundball outs. Giusti played seven seasons for Pittsburgh, amassing 133 saves – a figure that still ranks third in the franchise's long history. He earned his only All-Star selection in 1973.
Life Beyond the Mound: Clemente and Legacy
Off the field, Giusti was close friends with Pirates icon Roberto Clemente. Following Clemente's tragic death in a 1972 plane crash while on a humanitarian mission, Giusti and teammate Steve Blass met with President Richard Nixon at the White House to help launch the Roberto Clemente Memorial Fund, which supports children of U.S. Marines.
A native of Seneca Falls, New York, Giusti played college baseball at Syracuse University before signing with Houston. After retiring from baseball, he worked in the corporate sector for Millcraft Industries and American Express. He is survived by his wife, two daughters, and four grandchildren.
