TTM Stats
- Sent: 6/30/2022 | Received: 7/18/2022 | 18 Days
- ’69 Topps, ’70 Topps, ’72 Topps, ’74 Topps
- Address: Home (address from Sports Card Forum)
The Story of the Autograph
Dave Giusti’s baseball career is a testament to adaptability and excellence, transitioning from a reliable starter to one of the premier relievers of his era. Spanning 15 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB), Giusti’s journey reflects both personal growth and significant contributions to the teams he played for.
Born on November 27, 1939, in Seneca Falls, New York, Giusti grew up in Mattydale, a suburb of Syracuse. A multi-sport athlete at Cicero-North Syracuse High School, he excelled in baseball and basketball. At Syracuse University, he continued his dual-sport prowess, playing both baseball and basketball. On the baseball diamond, Giusti was a standout pitcher and shortstop from 1959 to 1961, lettering three times and helping lead the team to a third-place finish in the 1961 College World Series.
Giusti made his MLB debut on April 13, 1962, with the Houston Colt .45s, an expansion team that would later become the Astros. Initially utilized as a starting pitcher, he developed into a dependable arm in the rotation. His breakout season came in 1966 when he posted a 15–14 record with a 4.20 ERA.
Over seven seasons with Houston, Giusti compiled a 47–53 record and a 4.02 ERA, establishing himself as a workhorse in the Astros’ pitching staff.
After a brief stint with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1969, Giusti’s career took a pivotal turn when he joined the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1970. The Pirates converted him into a full-time reliever, a role in which he thrived. Giusti became the team’s primary closer, leading the National League with 30 saves in 1971 and earning a spot on the All-Star team in 1973 .
During his tenure with Pittsburgh, Giusti was instrumental in the team’s success, contributing to five National League Eastern Division titles between 1970 and 1975 and playing a key role in the Pirates’ 1971 World Series championship. His effectiveness in closing games solidified his reputation as one of the premier relievers of the early 1970s .
In 1977, Giusti was traded to the Oakland Athletics, where he continued to perform effectively, recording a 2.98 ERA and six saves. Later that season, he joined the Chicago Cubs. However, his performance declined, and after struggling in September, he was released at the end of the season, marking the conclusion of his MLB career .
Over his 15-season MLB career, Dave Giusti appeared in 668 games, recording a 100–93 win-loss record, a 3.60 ERA, 1,103 strikeouts, and 145 saves . His transition from starter to reliever and subsequent success exemplify adaptability and skill. Giusti’s contributions, particularly during his time with the Pirates, left a lasting impact on the teams he played for and the role of the modern closer in baseball.
The Score on Dave Giusti – 5.0
Dave is a pretty reliable signer. There are three things that you will notice in this return that are pretty emblematic of his autograph all the time. First, his signature is very small. It’s definitely one of the smallest you will see. The other thing is that he used a ball point, but sometimes he will use a thin marker. Lastly, you’ll see that he does try to find the best place to put his signature.
Thanks Mr. Giusti! I’m giving this return a 7.
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Information gathered using Wikipedia and Baseball Reference.