Luis Tiant Boston Red Sox Hall of Famer dead at 83
The Boston Red Sox announced the death of pitcher Luis Tiant, affectionately known as “El Tiante,” on Tuesday. Confirmation of his passing came on Tuesday, but his specific cause of death has not been disclosed.
A Wonderful Career Lasting 19 Years
The career of Luis Tiant lasted for 19 years in Major League Baseball and he suited up for 6 different teams: Cleveland Indians, Minnesota Twins, Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, Pittsburgh Pirates, and California Angels. Tiant was born in Cuba and got his start in the big leagues in 1964 on his way to winning 229 games .
Spahn became a legend in his eight seasons with the Boston Red Sox, winning four 20-win seasons and leading the American League in ERA twice. It was one few had seen (with maybe a little El Duque in there) before – as were his dominant outings on the mound, both of which turned him into an instant fan favorite and opponent pariah.
Red Sox Legacy and Cuban Impact
Tiant left an indelible mark on the game of baseball, especially while he was with the Red Sox where he played a huge role in the 1975 World Series. Including an iconic three-game stretch, where he pitched two complete games in the series and showed his greatness. His Game 1 performance, a complete game shutout, is still well remembered from his time as part of the series.
Off the field, Tiant was a national hero in his native Cuba also – he influenced many who also went on to play the game including fellow Cuban-born MLB player Tony Pérez. Particularly in Cuba and among Cubans, but also as a bridge between the island and the United States, given his personal tragedy. For 15 years, Tiant was separated from his family, who were kept under a virtual lock and key in Cuba — as he wrote in the most moving chapter of his book from last year, “Son of Havana: A Baseball Journey from Cuba to the Big Leagues and Back.”
Red Sox Hall of Fame Inductee
Tiant missed out on Hall of Fame induction but is mythic lore in Boston. A member of the Red Sox Hall of Fame and Hispanic Heritage Baseball HOF, respectively, he was also elected to enshrinement in Cooperstown for a vast career that moved many.
Yet, Tiant kept his mouth shut and politely told America what he thought a Hall of Famer was: “If you don’t take me in life, come on after I’m dead. In his response, Tiant showed how much the game meant to him and that he just wanted to be appreciated for a job well done while still alive.
A Sad Farewell to “El Tiante”
Luis Tiant was a true American baseball legend and his contributions both on the field & off the field will never be forgotten. Fellow Red Sox Hall of Famer Fred Lynn tweeted it was “a very sad day” in baseball, a feeling shared by fans and players. This will be where Tiant lives on, remembered as the most colorful and dominant pitchers the sport has ever seen.
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