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On Tuesday, October 8, the family of Luis Tiant announced that the former MLB pitcher died at the age of 83, a cause of death was not given.
Although Tiant's career ended over forty years ago, the Cuban-born right-hander amassed a journey that was unique and filled with milestones. MLB paid official tribute to the deceased hurler on their official X page.
"We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Luis Tiant. In a Major League career that spanned 19 seasons, "El Tiante" made three All-Star teams and won 20 or more games four times. Tiant won two ERA titles in the American League - one in 1968 for Cleveland, and another in 1972 for Boston. The Cuba native also pitched for the Yankees, Twins, Pirates and Angels. He was 83." - MLB
Tiant is predeceased by his father, Luis Sr., who pitched for several decades in both the USA and their native Cuba. Luis Tiant Jr. himself was in Cleveland Indians training camp in 1961 when bittered US-Cuba relations prevented his return home, and prompting the beginning of a career in North America.
As a result, Tiant embarked on a career in MLB, making his debut with the 1964 Indians. In 1968, Tiant posted an ERA of 1.60, the lowest in the AL. Four years later, as a member of the 1972 Boston Red Sox, Tiant went 15-6 with a WHIP of 1.078, posting an MLB-best ERA of 1.91, and finishing sixth in AL Cy Young Award voting.
"Luis Tiant perplexing Pete Rose. #RIP" - Pitching Ninja
Nicknamed "El Tiante", Tiant won some 229 games throughout his nineteen-year career, posting an ERA of 3.30 and amassing 2,416 strikeouts over 3,486.1 innings of work.
Former MLB colleagues pay tribute to Luis Tiant
After the announcement of his death, several wishes began to pour in across social media and beyond for Tiant. Among them was Fred Lynn, a seventeen-year MLB outfielder and former MVP who played with Tiant on the Red Sox and California Angels. As Lynn said on his X page:
"Today is a very sad day. My friend and teammate , Luis Tiant, passed away. A Big game pitcher, a funny genuine guy who loved his family and baseball. I miss him already….RIP my friend."
Although Tiant never made the Baseball Hall of Fame, his contributions to the game will continue to live on without him.
