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23. Luis Tiant

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23.  Luis Tiant
  1. General
  2. Awards
  3. Career Stats
  • Born: November 23, 1940 in Marianao, La Cuba
  • Weight: 180 lbs.
  • Height: 6'0"
  • Bats: R
  • Throws: R
  • Debut: July 19, 1964
  • Final Game: September 04, 1982
  • Babe Ruth Award - 1975
  • Cy Young - 1972
  • Cy Young - 1974
  • Cy Young - 1976
  • MVP - 1968
  • MVP - 1972
  • MVP - 1974
  • MVP - 1976
 
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In the long and illustrious (often tortured) history of the Boston Red Sox, a case can be made that of all the men who graced Fenway’s mound Luis Tiant was the most popular of them all.  Considering the number of great athletes who have donned the Red Sox uniform this is an impressive accolade indeed.

Tiant wasn’t just popular because of his friendly demeanor, inviting accent, and the fact that he didn’t look like an athlete; Tiant was also popular because he was damn good.  Four times in his career, the Cuban won twenty games with his unorthodox delivery.  When he was on, he had excellent control and could get batters out with finesse or power.

Midway through his career, Taint missed a lot of games due to issues with his shoulder.  After a few very sub par campaigns, he resurrected his career with Boston but not before losing out on seasons that would have easily padded his stats to make him more palatable to Cooperstown.  Tiant also gave up a lot of home runs which hampered him at every juncture of his career.  If those bad seasons were just below average, Tiant very well could have had a place in the Hall.

Should Luis Tiant be in the Hall of Fame?

Definitely put him in! - 83.8%
Maybe, but others deserve it first. - 9.2%
Probably not, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. - 3.5%
No opinion. - 0%
No way! - 3.5%

The Bullet Points

  • Country of Origin: Marianao, Cuba
  • Eligible In: Friday, 01 January 1988
  • Position: Pitcher
  • Played For: Boston Red Sox, California Angels, Cleveland Indians, Minnesota Twins, New York Yankees, Pittsburgh Pirates
  • Major Accolades and Awards: All-Star (3) (1968, 1974 & 1976)
    Babe Ruth Award (1) (AL) (1975)
    Highest bWAR for Pitchers (1) (AL) (1968)
    Lowest Earned Run Average (2) (AL) (1968 & 1972)
    Lowest WHIP (1) (AL) (1973)
    Lowest H/9 (1) (AL) (1968)
    Lowest SO/9 (1) (AL) (1967)
    Most Shutouts (3) (AL) (1966, 1968 & 1974)
    HIghest ERA+ (2) (AL) (1968 & 1972)
    Lowest FIP (1) (AL) (1968)
    Highest Win Probability Added (2) (AL) (1968 & 1974)
    Highest Championship Win Probability Added (1) (AL) (1974)
    Highest Fielding Percentage by a Picther (2) (AL) (1977 & 1978)
  • Other Points of Note: Top Ten MVP Finishes
    (AL: 1968, 5th) & (AL: 1972, 8th)
    Top Ten Cy Young Finishes:
    (AL: 1972, 6th), (AL: 1974, 4th) & (AL: 1976, 5th)
    AL Babe Ruth Award (1975)
    4 Top Ten Finishes (Earned Run Average)
    5 Top Ten Finishes (Wins)
    5 Top Ten Finishes (WHIP)
    6 Top Ten Finishes (H/9)
    1 Top Ten Finish (BB/9)
    5 Top Ten Finishes (SO/9)
    3 Top Ten Finishes (Innings Pitched)
    5 Top Ten Finishes (Strikeouts)
    6 Top Ten Finishes (Complete Games)
    8 Top Ten Finishes (SO/BB)
    7 Top Ten Finishes (ERA+)
    4 Top Ten Finishes (FIP)
    6 Top Ten Finishes (Win Probability Added)
    5 Top Ten Finishes (Win Probability Added)
    8 Top Ten Finishes (bWAR for Pitchers)
  • Notable All Time Rankings: 21.   Shutouts: 49
    44.   bWAR for Pitchers: 66.1
    48.   Strikeouts: 2,416
    59.   Games Started: 484
    67.   Wins: 229
    67.   Championship Win Probability Added: 32.5
    73.   Innings Pitched: 3,486.3
    75.   Win Probability Added: 25.2
    77.   Putouts by a Pitcher: 221
  • Vote Percentage Received for the Hall of Fame: 1988: 30.9
    1989: 10.5
    1990: 9.5
    1991: 7.2
    1992: 11.6
    1993: 14.7
    1994: 9.2
    1995: 9.8
    1996: 13.6
    1997: 11.2
    1998: 13.1
    1999: 10.7
    2000: 17.2
    2001: 12.2
    2002: 18.0
  • Should be Inducted As A: Boston Red Sox

Should Luis Tiant be in the Hall of Fame?

Definitely put him in! - 83.8%
Maybe, but others deserve it first. - 9.2%
Probably not, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. - 3.5%
No opinion. - 0%
No way! - 3.5%
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