‘Truly one-of-a-kind’: Legendary Boston Red Sox pitcher Luis Tiant dies at 83
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By Frank O'Laughlin
BOSTON — Legendary Boston Red Sox pitcher Luis Tiant has passed away.
Tiant, affectionately known as “El Tiante,” died Tuesday at the age of 83, Major League Baseball announced.
“We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Luis Tiant,” MLB wrote in a post on X.
The Cuban emigre pitched 19 seasons in the big leagues from 1964 to 1982, eight of which were with the Red Sox.
Altogether, Tiant spent 31 years in the Red Sox organization as a player, coach, broadcaster, and special assignment instructor.
The charismatic right-handed starter, remembered for having one of the funkiest pitching windups, tallied 229 career wins, 187 complete games, and 47 shutouts over 573 appearances.
Red Sox Principal Owner John Henry described Tiant as “truly one-of-a-kind.”
“Luis had the kind of unforgettable presence that made you feel like you were part of his world. He was a pitcher with incredible talent, accomplishing so much with a style uniquely his own,” Henry said in a statement. “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.”
Tiant joined the Red Sox in 1971 at the age of 30 after six years with Clevland and one with Minnesota. He later went on to pitch two seasons with the Yankees before ultimately retiring after the 1982 season.
During his time in Boston, Tiant racked up 122 wins and posted a 3.36 ERA across 274 games, serving as the centerpiece of several pennant races and leading the club to the 1975 World Series.
“Today is a very sad day,” Fred Lynn, a teammate of Tiant in both Boston and California, wrote in a post on X. “A Big game pitcher, a funny genuine guy who loved his family and baseball. I miss him already.”
The Red Sox fell to the Cincinnati Reds in that 1975 Fall Classic but Tiant won Game 1 in a shutout, threw 155 pitches in a complete game victory in Game 4, and was back on the mound for eight innings of Game 6.
Tiant was considered for election to the National Baseball Hall of Fame via voting of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America from 1988 to 2002, and by the Hall of Fame’s era committees in 2011, 2014, and 2017, although he fell short of the required votes for induction each time.
His brilliant career ultimately landed him in the Red Sox Hall of Fame in 1997.
Luis Tiant BOSTON, MA - OCTOBER 23: Former Boston Red Sox player Luis Tiant waves to the crowd before Game One of the 2013 World Series between the Boston Red Sox and the St. Louis Cardinals at Fenway Park on October 23, 2013 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) (Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Luis Tiant BOSTON - OCTOBER 13: Former Boston Red Sox Luis Tiant acknowledges the crowd before throwing out the first pitch to start Game 4 of the 2003 American League Championship Series against the New York Yankees October 13, 2003 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) (Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Luis Tiant BOSTON, MA - OCTOBER 30: Former Boston Red Sox player Luis Tiant walks off the field with Will Middlebrooks #16 of the Boston Red Sox after throwing out the ceremonial first pitch prior to Game Six of the 2013 World Series between the Boston Red Sox and the St. Louis Cardinals at Fenway Park on October 30, 2013 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) (Elsa/Getty Images)
Luis Tiant BOSTON - OCTOBER 21: Josh Beckett #19 of the Boston Red Sox celebrates with former Red Sox great Luis Tiant after defeating the Cleveland Indians by the score of 11-2 to win the American League Championship Series in seven games at Fenway Park on October 21, 2007 in Boston, Massachusetts. Lofton (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) (Al Bello/Getty Images)
Luis Tiant BOSTON, MA - OCTOBER 23: Former Boston Red Sox player Luis Tiant waves to the crowd before Game One of the 2013 World Series between the Boston Red Sox and the St. Louis Cardinals at Fenway Park on October 23, 2013 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) (Rob Carr/Getty Images)
Luis Tiant BOSTON, MA - OCTOBER 22: Former Red Sox great Luis Tiant, MLB, and the Boston Red Sox celebrate World Series with Boston Children's Hospital Starlight Fun Center Donation at Boston Children's Hospital on October 22, 2013 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Darren McCollester/Getty Images for BCH) (Darren McCollester)
Luis Tiant BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - OCTOBER 20: Former Boston Red Sox players Jim Rice (right) and Luis Tiant walk out to throw out the ceremonial first pitch prior to Game Five of the American League Championship Series between the Boston Red Sox and the Houston Astros at Fenway Park on October 20, 2021 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) (Elsa/Getty Images)
Luis Tiant NEW YORK - APRIL 22: Director Spike Lee and former Major League Baseball player Luis Tiant attend the Tribeca Film Festival 2009 portrait studio at DIRECTV Tribeca Press Center on April 22, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images for Tribeca Film Festival) (Larry Busacca)
Luis Tiant 1986: Former Boston Red Sox player Luis Trant '71-'78, signs autograghs before a game during the 1986 season. (Photo by: Stephen Dunn/Getty Images) (Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)
Luis Tiant BOSTON, MA - JUNE 13: Former Boston Red Sox legends Carlton Fisk (L) and Luis Tiant walk off the field after Fisk threw out the first pitch to Tiant before the start of the game between the Cincinnati Reds and Red Sox at Fenway Park on June 13, 2005 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) (Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
Luis Tiant SARASOTA, FL - FEBRUARY 23: Luis Tiant of the Boston Red Sox poses for a portrait during the Red Sox spring training Media Day on February 23, 2003 at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota, Florida. (Photo by Craig Jones/Getty Images) (Craig Jones/Getty Images)
Tiant is survived by his wife, Maria, and their four children, Luis Jr., Isabel, Daniel, and John Papile.