Luis Tiant, Boston Red Sox pitching legend, dies at 83

BOSTON – Luis Tiant, a Boston Red Sox pitching legend whose Major League Baseball career spanned 19 years, has died.

According to the Red Sox, Tiant died at his home in Maine Tuesday morning. A cause of death was not immediately released.

Who was Luis Tiant?

Tiant, nicknamed “El Tiante,” was 83 years old.

Tiant won 229 games and had a career earned run average of 3.36. The righthander made his major league debut in 1964 with Cleveland. After pitching six years with the Indians, he spent one season with Minnesota, then eight years in Boston, where he helped lead the 1975 team to World Series, which the Red Sox lost in 7 games to Cincinnati.

Following his tenure with the Red Sox, Tiant pitched two years with the Yankees, one in Pittsburgh, and a final season with the Angels.

Former teammate Fred Lynn reacted to Tiant’s death, calling it a “very sad day.”

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Tiant, who was born in Cuba, amassed four 20-win seasons and won the American League ERA title twice.

He is a member of the Red Sox Hall of Fame and Hispanic Heritage Baseball Hall of Fame.

MLB issued a statement, saying “We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Luis Tiant.”

During a 2015 celebration of the 1975 Boston Red Sox, Tiant talked about his unique windup during an appearance in the NESN broadcast booth. The righthander said he first tried turning away from the hitter during his windup in 1972.

“After that, I won 172 games. It worked for me,” Tiant said.

Red Sox on Tiant’s “unforgettable presence”

The Red Sox released statements from the team’s ownership group about Tiant, who spent 31 years in the organization as a player, coach, broadcaster and special assignment instructor.

“Luis had the kind of unforgettable presence that made you feel like you were part of his world,” principal owner John Henry said. “He was a pitcher with incredible talent, accomplishing so much with a style uniquely his own. But what truly set Luis apart was his zest for life, embracing every moment with an infectious spirit, even in the face of his many challenges. He channeled everything into his love for the game and the people around him. He was magnetic and had a smile that could light up Fenway Park. Luis was truly one-of-a-kind and all of us at the Red Sox will miss him.” 

“Luis embodied everything we love about this game: resilience, passion, and an undeniable sense of belonging to something greater than himself,” added Red Sox chairman Tom Werner. 

Luis Tiant Hall of Fame candidacy

Though Tiant was on the Baseball Hall of Fame ballot for 15 years, he was not selected by voters. He was later considered on the “Golden Era” ballot but not selected.

Pitcher Tony Perez, also born in Cuba, spoke about Tiant’s impact on the region in an article published on the Baseball Hall of Fame website.

“When I was a boy growing up in Cuba, Luis Tiant was a national hero,” Perez said.  

In 2019, Tiant published a book called Son of Havana: A Baseball Journey from Cuba to the Big Leagues and Back. It describes Tiant’s journey to Major League Baseball, as well as the 15 years he spent separated from his family held captive in Cuba.

Tiant is survived by his wife, Maria. The couple had four children, Luis Jr., Isabel, Daniel, and John Papile.