Bob Friend, a long-time Pirates pitcher, passed away on Sunday, Feb. 3. This day happened to be Super Bowl Sunday 2019.

Bob Friend’s debut was in 1951. He played a total of 15 seasons in the MLB, 14 with Pittsburgh and one with New York.

Friend had a career ERA under four and had nearly 200 career wins. In 1955, he made Pirates history by leading the National League in ERA. This was one of the reasons why he won the NL pitching title that same year.

In 1956, Friend pitched over 314 innings, which was the most innings pitched in the majors that season. In 1958, he was tied with 1st in wins with 22.

He also was part of the Pittsburgh Pirates 1960 team. That team had nearly 100 wins that season and went on to win the 1960 World Series.

In an interview with Yahoo, Frank Coonelly, Pirates President said Friend was, “truly one of the very best to ever wear the Pirates black and gold.”