‘Today is a very sad day’: Baseball world reacts to the death of Red Sox great Luis Tiant
The former Red Sox pitcher was 83.
Former teammates, media members, and others reacted to the death of Red Sox pitching great Luis Tiant Tuesday at 83.
· Former Red Sox outfielder Fred Lynn posted a picture of the two together, along with a message.
“Today is a very sad day,” Lynn wrote. “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.”
· Former Red Sox infielder Kevin Youkilis remembered Tiant as “a former player we loved coming into the clubhouse.” He referred to Tiant’s laugh as “infectious.”
· The Red Sox released a statement referring to Tiant as one “of the most beloved figures in Red Sox history,” citing his 31 years with the organization as a player, coach, broadcaster, and special assignment instructor.
The team also released statements from owner John Henry, chairman Tom Werner, and team president Sam Kennedy.
“Luis had the kind of unforgettable presence that made you feel like you were part of his world,” said 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 was a cornerstone of the Red Sox pitching staff for years, with an unmatched grit and tenacity on the mound,” said Werner. “His ability to rise in the most pressure-filled moments — especially his complete-game performances — cemented his place as a true legend. But what made Luis unforgettable was his vibrant personality.”
“Luis had a style of pitching that was as memorable as it was effective, but to me, the rarer gift was his ability to lift you up with just a smile,” said Kennedy. “When you were with him, you were reminded of what really matters. Whether you were a teammate, a fan, or just someone fortunate enough to share a conversation, Luis had a way of making you feel special, like you were a close friend.”
· Former Red Sox third baseman Will Middlebrooks called Tiant “one of his favorite people he ever met in the game.”
“He’d always come by my locker and give me a hug and kiss the top of my head if I was in my chair,” Middlebrooks wrote. “Luckily I got to see him the last day of the regular season at Fenway for one last big hug. What a wonderful man.”
· Major League Baseball’s X account posted a picture of Tiant with the message, “We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Luis Tiant” before listing some of his accomplishments.
· The Cleveland Guardians, a franchise with which Tiant played six seasons when the team was known as the Indians, posted a message that they were “deeply saddened” to learn of Tiant’s passing along with photos of Tiant from his time in Cleveland.
· Bob Kendrick, president of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City, wrote that he was “tremendously saddened by the passing of my friend, the great Luis Tiant Jr.”
· Tom Caron of NESN posted of a picture of the two along with a message.
“One of the great privileges of this job is getting to meet your childhood idols,” Caron wrote. “Luis lived up to the myth. An incredibly courageous man who fought to build a Hall of Fame-worthy career. Always a delight to spend time with him. We will miss him dearly. #RIP #ElTiante”.
· Baseball analyst Rob Friedman posted a video of Tiant facing Pete Rose in the 1975 World Series, delivering a pitch that left the all-time hit king shaking his head as he stepped out of the batter’s box.
“We haven’t got anybody in the National League like that,” said Rose. “Nobody who throws those high-spinning curveballs that take two minutes to come down.”
· Globe sports columnist emeritus Bob Ryan called Tiant’s omission from the Baseball Hall of Fame ludicrous.
“So many highlights, but my favorite is his 5-4, 161 pitch complete game in Game 4 of the 1975 World Series,” Ryan wrote.
· The Baseball Hall of Fame posted a picture of Tiant along with some of his highlights.
· Hall of Fame pitcher Jim Palmer shared his thoughts, calling Tiant “one of a kind.”
· Upton Bell, a former radio talk show host in Boston, shared his appreciation for the Red Sox great.
“Having seen every great player play in Boston over 53 years, Luis Tiant remains the most magical, Charismatic athlete I’ve seen in this city,” Bell wrote. “Every pitching appearance was Magical Realism.”
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