BOSTON — Luis Tiant, the charismatic Cuban with a horseshoe mustache and mesmerizing windup who pitched the Red Sox to the brink of a World Series championship and pitched himself to the doorstep of the baseball Hall of Fame, has died. He was 83.
Major League Baseball announced his death in a post on X on Tuesday, and the Red Sox confirmed that he died at his home in Maine.
“Today is a very sad day,” Fred Lynn, a teammate in both Boston and California, posted on X. “A Big game pitcher, a funny genuine guy who loved his family and baseball. I miss him already.”
With a swaggering style and an iconic wiggling windup that froze batters in the box, “El Tiante” was a three-time All-Star and four-time 20-game winner whose greatest individual season came with Cleveland in 1968, when he went 21-9 with 19 complete games and nine shutouts — four of them in a row. His 1.60 ERA was the best in the AL in half a century and he finished fifth in AL Most Valuable Player voting; 31-game winner Denny McLain won it, as well as the league’s Cy Young Award.
Those performances, along with Bob Gibson’s 1.12 ERA in the NL, earned 1968 the nickname “Year of the Pitcher” and helped persuade baseball to lower the pitching mound to give batters more of a chance. No matter, Tiant again won the AL ERA title with a 1.91 mark in 1972, for the Red Sox (and lost the Cy Young to Gaylord Perry’s 1.92 ERA and 24 wins).
“Luis embodied everything we love about this game: resilience, passion, and an undeniable sense of belonging to something greater than himself,” Red Sox Chairman Tom Werner said. “But what made Luis unforgettable was his vibrant personality. He was a gifted storyteller, always sharing tales filled with humor, honesty, and an enduring loyalty to his teammates. All of us are deeply saddened by his passing. We lost one of the great ones today.”
The son of a Negro Leagues star, the younger Tiant was 229-172 in all with a 3.30 ERA and 2,416 strikeouts. He had 187 complete games and 47 shutouts in a 19-year career spent mostly with Cleveland and the Red Sox.
His death comes one week after that of all-time baseball hits leader Pete Rose, whose Cincinnati Reds faced Tiant’s Red Sox in the 1975 World Series — still considered one of the greatest matchups in baseball postseason history.
Tiant shut out the Reds in Game 1, threw 155 pitches in another complete game victory in Game 4 and was back on the mound for eight innings in Game 6, which Boston won on Carlton Fisk’s home run in the bottom of the 12th. The ’75 Series, which Cincinnati won in seven games, is often cited as the greatest of all time.
It was also a national coming-out party for Tiant’s distinctive delivery, in which he would wiggle his hands as he came to the set position, then turn his back to the batter before throwing. The motion would be imitated by generations of children in New England and across the country, but Tiant himself was unmatched.
“Luis had the kind of unforgettable presence that made you feel like you were part of his world,” Red Sox owner John Henry said. “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.”
After he retired in 1982, Tiant worked as a minor league coach for the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago White Sox and was the pitching coach for Nicaragua at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. He remained active with the Red Sox in spring training and was visible around Fenway Park, often signing autographs before the game at the ballpark’s El Tiante Cuban sandwich stand.
Tiant was inducted into the Boston Red Sox Hall of Fame but never made the national shrine in Cooperstown, New York, receiving a high of 30.9% of the votes in 1988, his first year on the ballot. He was also considered and rejected by veterans committees three times.
“Tough day to hear of Luis Tiant passing away. A former player we loved coming into the clubhouse,” former Red Sox infielder Kevin Youkilis tweeted. “Always joking around with that infectious laugh and saying ‘Man you a sick puppy!’ Forever grateful for the time shared with a legend. May his memory be a blessing!”
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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB
Luis Tiant, a beloved former pitcher for the Boston Red Sox, has passed away at the age of 83. Tiant, known for his unique pitching style and charismatic personality, was a fan favorite during his time with the Red Sox in the 1970s.
Tiant, born in Cuba in 1940, made his major league debut with the Cleveland Indians in 1964. He joined the Red Sox in 1971 and quickly became a key player for the team. Tiant was known for his unorthodox delivery, which included a high leg kick and a variety of arm angles. His pitching style was both effective and entertaining to watch, earning him the nickname “El Tiante” from fans.
During his time with the Red Sox, Tiant had some of the best seasons of his career. In 1972, he led the American League in ERA and strikeouts, finishing second in the Cy Young Award voting. He also helped lead the Red Sox to the World Series in 1975, where they ultimately fell to the Cincinnati Reds in a thrilling seven-game series.
Tiant’s impact on the Red Sox went beyond his performance on the field. He was known for his infectious personality and his love for the game, endearing him to fans and teammates alike. Tiant was a mentor to many young players on the team and was always willing to lend a helping hand to those in need.
After retiring from baseball, Tiant remained involved in the game as a coach and ambassador for the sport. He continued to be a beloved figure in Boston and was often seen at Fenway Park, cheering on the Red Sox and interacting with fans.
Tiant’s passing is a great loss for the baseball community, but his legacy will live on through his contributions to the game and the impact he had on those around him. He will be remembered as one of the greatest pitchers in Red Sox history and a true icon of the sport.
Rest in peace, Luis Tiant. You will be missed but never forgotten.
