Major League Baseball pitching legend Luis Tiant died at age 83 at his home in Maine on Tuesday morning. The Cuba native's MLB pitching career spanned across 19 years, though he played primarily with the Boston Red Sox and Cleveland Indians. A cause of death has not yet been released.
Tiant, who was known by his nickname "El Tiante," compiled a 229–172 record with 2416 strikeouts during his professional career, as well as a 3.30 earned run average. Among his other accomplishments, he was selected as an All-Star for three seasons and was the ERA leader in the American League twice in 1968 and 1972.
In 1997, Tiant was inducted to the Boston Red Sox Hall of Fame, as well as the Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum Hall of Fame in 2002, the Venezuelan Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in 2009, and the Baseball Reliquary's Shrine of the Eternals in 2012. After retiring, he spent time coaching for both Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago White Sox minor league teams, and served as head coach for the Savannah College of Art and Design NCAA Division III baseball program from 1998 to 2001.
Following his passing, the Red Sox released statements from the team's ownership about Tiant, who all told, spent 31 years within 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," said Red Sox Principal Owner John Henry. "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."
Red Sox chairman Tom Werner noted that Tiant "embodied everything we love about this game: resilience, passion, and an undeniable sense of belonging to something greater than himself."
"He was a cornerstone of the Red Sox pitching staff for years, with an unmatched grit and tenacity on the mound. His ability to rise in the most pressure-filled moments—especially his complete-game performances—cemented his place as a true legend," Werner continued. "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."
Tiant is survived by his wife, Maria, and the couple's four children, Luis Jr., Isabel, Daniel, and John Papile.
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