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Dave Giusti

 

Dave Giusti was born in Seneca Falls, NY (believed to be the inspiration for Bedford Falls in the Christmas movie "It's a Wonderful Life."). He attended my alma mater (North Syracuse High School), and played college ball at Syracuse University, pitching in the 1961 College World Series as a starting pitcher.

Giusti signed out of college as a free agent with the Colt .45s, and played in Houston from 1962-68. Giusti was mainly a starter for Houston, and also for the St. Louis Cardinals in 1969. Late in 1969, Giusti was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates. With the Pirates, he was converted into a relief pitcher by manager Danny Murtaugh, and Giusti soon became one of the leading relief pitchers in the National League. 

Using his sinking palmball heavily, Giusti recorded 20 or more saves in each of the next four baseball seasons, and he led the National League with 30 saves in 1971 for the Pirates. Giusti appeared in three games for Pittsburgh in the 1971 World Series, earning a save in Game Four. Giusti was awarded The Sporting News Reliever of the Year Award in 1971.

He pitched with the Pirates until 1976, after which he split the 1977 season between the A's and Cubs. Giusti finished his 15-year MLB career with a 100-93 W-L record, 3.60 ERA, 668 games, and 145 lifetime saves.

2000 Grandstand #NNO.

1977 Topps #154.

1975 Topps #53.

1974 Topps #82.

1973 Topps #465.

1972 Topps #190.

1971 Topps #562.

1969 Topps #98.

1966 Topps #258.

1965 Topps #524.

1964 Topps #354.

Between his Syracuse and local connections, and his success in MLB, Giusti was a great choice for the Syracuse Baseball Wall of Fame.

My favorite card in this post: Boy it's hard to top the 1975 Topps card, so I'll go with that.

What's yours?

Thanks for your interest!

CinciCuse Bill

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Comments

  1. FujiFebruary 15, 2021 at 11:28 PM

    Not familiar with Mr. Giusti (played a little before my time)... but anyone who notches 100 wins over a 15 years in the MLB is legit. Looks like the 1973 & 1974 photographs were taken at an elementary school or something. As for my favorite... I'd go with the 1972 or 1975... but a lot that has to do with them being my favorite designs of the 70's.

    ReplyDelete
  2. night owlFebruary 16, 2021 at 12:57 AM

    Those Upstate NY MLBers sure stand out as there aren't a ton of them. But Giusti played before I was following ball for the most part. I do associate him with the '71 Pirates team.

    Doesn't it look like the photos for the '71 and '72 cards were taken at the same time and the same with the '74 and '75?

    ReplyDelete
  3. CinciCuse BillFebruary 16, 2021 at 3:00 AM

    Great observations both you guys! I never noticed those before.
    Also, seeing the ‘69 just reminded me I forgot to mention that he was a Padre for a brief stint, but never played with them during the regular season. Something about him being an expansion draft/rule 5 return player or something.

    ReplyDelete

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