Luis Tiant, who pitched for six teams over a 19-year MLB career, has died. He was 83.
“El Tiante” was a three-time All-Star and won 229 games with the Cleveland Indians, Minnesota Twins, Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, Pittsburgh Pirates, and California Angels.
Tiant was inducted into the Red Sox Hall of Fame in 1997.
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. pic.twitter.com/9jFODk2Che
— Fred Lynn (@19fredlynn) October 8, 2024
The four-time 20-game winner was born in Cuba and made his way to the Indians’ organization in 1961 thanks to former MLB player-turned-scout Bobby Ávila. After several seasons in the minors, Tiant made his major league debut in 1964. He struck out 11 and allowed only four hits while shutting out the Yankees.
Before he moved on to the Red Sox in 1971, Tiant signed a minor league deal with the Atlanta Braves and changed his pitching motion to turn his body away from home plate during his delivery.
Tiant would win double-digit games in seven straight seasons in Boston and started Game 1 of the 1975 World Series against the Cincinnati Reds where he pitched a complete game five-hit shutout. He would pitch another complete game in Game 4, a 5-4 Red Sox win, and record a no-decision in Game 6, which ended with Carlton Fisk’s famous walk-off home run in the 12th inning.
Following his days in Boston, Tiant finished his career playing two seasons with the Yankees before spending 1981 with the Pirates and his final season in 1982 with the Angels.
Tiant finished his MLB career with 187 complete games and 49 shutouts.
