Luis Tiant

[familytoad]

Back in the day (I grew up in Vermont) every pitcher wanted to throw like Luis Tiant and every batter wanted to stand at the plate like Yaz!

(I still bat left-handed and hold my hands high like Yaz).
I never could figure out how to consistently find the target as a pitcher who turned to 2nd base before throwing. Luis has a special place in the nostalgia department for me.
His 1974 card with the huge Fu Manchu mustache is an all time great.

Rest in peace Looie!!
Another hero passes 😞

[daves_resale_shop]

My dad was a big El Tiante fan. A few years back I came across a copy of a program and ticket from his debut (w) he was kind enough to sign and inscribe both and told my friend who got the autos for me that it was the first time he had seen a copy…

It made for a wonderful story and a great birthday gift!!!

Thank you Luis!

[roarfrom34]

About 25 years ago or so I read that Tiant was coaching at a college & I mailed him a copy of his autobiography to sign which he promptly did and return

[TUM301]

Being a lifelong New Englander and of course a part of Sox Nation been to 100’s of games at Fenway. One of the best memories took place mid-late 70’s. Tiant senior, hell of a pitcher himself, was finally able to come to the U S from Cuba to see his son Luis pitch. Tiant senior takes the mound to throw ceremonial 1’st pitch, he’s probably 70’ish. The best part Dad winds up does a full spin facing dead center field whirls and fires a beautiful strike. Dead on impersonation, like father like son. RIP Sir, great pitcher especially in Big Games and just as important great ambassador for the sport.

[smellthegum]

Tiant pitched the first MLB game I ever attended, against Milwaukee, at Fenway. I was 9 years old. I have always remembered that Rico Petrocelli hit a grand slam and the Sox won 9-0 but I had to look up the box score to see how Tiant fared: complete game shutout with 8 hits, 10 Ks, and no walks. The 10th of his 22 wins in 1974.

Thanks for the memory Luis! RIP.

[Cubanball]

I was saddened to learn of the passing of one of the greatest Cuban born baseball players and a great human being. I had the pleasure to meet Luis at a local grocery store in Miami. He was going to be signing for free. I got there early and ran into him in the grocery aisle. He was looking to buy a coffee maker. We broke into a conversation about which maker made the best Cuban coffee. I found him to be a soft spoken, friendly and gentle person. He signed a few items I had brought right then and there. He had been one of my first baseball heroes since I saw him pitching for the Red Sox in the 1975 World Series.

[Northviewcats]

One of the most touching scenes is baseball was when Luis Tiant Sr. was allowed to leave Cuba to see his son pitch.