Luis Tiant is getting another chance at the Hall of Fame. The 73-year-old former Red Sox righthander was named to the Golden Era ballot that will be voted on in December.
One of the saddest days of my Sox life was November 13, 1978 when I heard on the radio that Luis had signed with the Yankees. It was the ultimate indignity- the most popular Bosox player in decades and their first true black hero was going down the river.
Peter Gammons’ excellent book Beyond the Sixth Game describes the sad departure. Rescued from oblivion by Eddie Kasko in 1971, he gave the Sox seven full years, winning 121 games and losing 74, three times topping 20. He led the league in ERA once, won half of their postseason games in 75, and was 32-10 in September and October. During his career, the team, a joke in the early 70’s, finished first once, third once, and second five times.
After the 76 season, Luis claimed he had a promise from Tom Yawkey that he would have his contract adjusted. But after Yawkey died, it didn’t happen. In late 78, with free agency coming up, Haywood Sullivan was quoted as saying “We’ll sit down with Luis in September.” Tiant also claimed that Buddy LeRoux had told him “Before you think about becoming a free agent, think about your age (37), Luis. I hope you have a lot of money in the bank.”
Gammons feels that this challenged Tiant’s machismo, and before LeRoux and Sullivan would offer one more year, George Steinbrenner came up with $840,000 for two seasons. At that time, it was enough. Luis would go on to win 21 games in two years at Yankee Stadium, while the Sox, perennially short of pitching, faded to mediocrity, a situation that would last until the mid-80’s.
“When they let Luis Tiant go to New York, they tore out our heart and soul,” Carl Yastrzemski remarked. Yaz was right on.
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