Luis Tiant, the Cuban-born Major League Baseball (MLB) legend, known for his exceptional pitching style and love for cigars, passed away at his residence in Wells, Maine on October 8, 2024. He was 83 years old.
WBZ News Boston confirmed the death of Tiant, who had an illustrious 19-year MLB career from 1964 to 1982.
Born in Marianao, Cuba on November 23, 1940, Luis Clemente Tiant Vega followed in his father’s footsteps. His father, Luis Tiant Sr., was a celebrated pitcher in the Negro Leagues and Cuban Leagues. The younger Tiant first became a prominent figure in Cuban baseball before making his name in the United States.
Tiant started his MLB journey with the Cleveland Indians in 1964, striking out eleven and allowing only four hits in a shutout against the New York Yankees in his debut. This marked the beginning of a career that would see him become one of the era’s most formidable pitchers.
His standout season came in 1968 with the Indians when he topped the American League in ERA (1.60), shutouts (nine), hits per nine innings (5.30), and strikeouts per nine innings (9.22). Despite a 21-9 record, Tiant lost the Cy Young Award to Denny McLain from Detroit.
Tiant, after a brief period with the Minnesota Twins, joined the Boston Red Sox in 1971 and stayed till 1978. He became a beloved figure among the Boston fans, known as “El Tiante,” for his unique pitching wind-up which involved turning his back to the batter.
In 1972, Tiant showcased his resilience by overcoming injuries to lead the American League in ERA with a 1.91 mark. He also won 20 or more games in three seasons with the Red Sox (1973, 1974, and 1976).
Tiant’s most remarkable performance was in the 1975 World Series against the Cincinnati Reds. He won Game 1 with a five-hit shutout and came back for Game 4, pulling off another win with a strenuous 173-pitch complete game. Despite the Red Sox losing the series, Tiant’s performances made him even more popular among Boston fans.
After parting ways with the Red Sox, Tiant played briefly for the New York Yankees, Pittsburgh Pirates, and California Angels before retiring in 1982. He concluded his career with a 229-172 record, a 3.30 ERA, and 2,416 strikeouts.
Despite his impressive career and popularity among fans, Tiant didn’t manage to secure a spot in the National Baseball Hall of Fame. He was on the ballot from 1988 to 2002, receiving a highest of 30.9% of the votes in 1988, far from the 75% needed for induction.
Tiant’s influence wasn’t limited to his pitching records. He was among the pioneering Latin American players in MLB, thereby setting a path for future generations. His distinct pitching style, featuring a range of arm angles and deliveries, made him a crowd favorite and a challenge for opposing batters.
After his retirement, Tiant continued his association with baseball, working as a minor league pitching coach for the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago White Sox organizations. He later took the role of the head coach for the baseball team at the Savannah College of Art and Design, a Division III program.
Tiant’s fame extended beyond baseball. He made a memorable appearance on the popular TV show “Cheers” and launched his own cigar line, “El Tiante,” reflecting his well-known fondness for cigars.
Tiant upheld a strong connection with his Cuban roots throughout his life. He played in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League for parts of seven seasons between 1963 and 1982, winning league titles with Leones del Caracas in consecutive seasons in 1966-67 and 1967-68.
His contribution to baseball is recognized by his induction into various halls of fame, including the Boston Red Sox Hall of Fame in 1997, the Hispanic Heritage Baseball Hall of Fame, and the Venezuelan Baseball Hall of Fame in 2009.
Luis Tiant is survived by his wife, Maria, and their three children: Luis Jr., Isabel, and Daniel.
