Luis Tiant, the Cuban-born ace with a unique delivery, who twice led the American League in ERA and threw a shutout for the Boston Red Sox in the 1975 World Series, has passed away, as confirmed by the Red Sox. He was 83 years old.
El Tiante, as he was known, was an icon in Cuba long before he achieved success in the Major Leagues, and he is considered one of the most accomplished pitchers not elected to the Hall of Fame. With his distinctive windup, Tiant overcame injuries to achieve 49 career shutouts, 229 wins, and 2,416 strikeouts.
“When the chips are on the line,” Hall of Fame pitcher Jim Palmer once said, “Luis Tiant is the greatest competitor I’ve ever seen.”
Tiant, the son of the legendary pitcher Luis Tiant Sr. who played in the Negro Leagues and Cuban Leagues, made a name for himself in Cuba and Mexico before signing with the Cleveland Indians in 1961. His successful debut in the big leagues in 1964 led to him becoming a key player for the Indians and leading the league in ERA in 1968.
Despite facing injuries in his late 20s, Tiant found his stride with the Red Sox in 1972, leading the American League in ERA once again. He played a crucial role in the Red Sox’s success, including their 1975 American League pennant win and World Series appearance against the Cincinnati Reds, where he delivered a shutout in Game 1 and helped secure victories in all three of his World Series starts.
Throughout his eight seasons with the Red Sox, Tiant reached 20 wins three times and was inducted into the Red Sox Hall of Fame in 1997. Despite not being elected into the Hall of Fame, he remained a beloved figure from Cuba to New England.
“When I was a boy growing up in Cuba,” Hall of Famer Tony Pérez once said, “Luis Tiant was a national hero.”
(Top photo of Luis Tiant during his time with the Red Sox: MLB via Getty Images)