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Luis Tiant, the beloved Red Sox pitching legend, has died at the age of 83

Luis Tiant, the beloved Red Sox pitching legend, has died at the age of 83

Luis Tiant, Boston Red Sox pitching legend and fan favorite, has died at the age of 83.

Major League Baseball confirmed Tiant's death on Tuesday, but a cause of death was not announced.

Tiant, nicknamed “El Tiante” and known for his signature pitching performances, spent 19 years in the majors, including eight with the Red Sox.

Tiant spent the first six years of his career in Cleveland before playing one season in Minnesota. He joined the Red Sox in 1971.

The colorful right-hander won 229 career games, including 122 with the Red Sox, and had a 3.30 career earned run average and 2,416 career strikeouts. He threw 187 complete games and 49 shutouts and finished his career with four 20-win seasons.

After his tenure with the Red Sox, Tiant played two years with the New York Yankees, one of them in Pittsburgh and his final season with the California Angels.

Tiant, a three-time All Star, was inducted into the Red Sox Hall of Fame in 1997. He is also a member of the Hispanic Heritage Baseball Hall of Fame. El Tiante was on Baseball's Hall of Fame ballot for 15 years, but never received the votes necessary for inclusion on the list. He was also considered for the “Golden Era” election, but did not receive the required votes.

“I think I deserve to be in Cooperstown, but I have something to say to those who vote for me. If you don’t accept me in life, please don’t try to vote for me after my death,” Tiant told ESPNdeportes. com in August 2008.

ESPN's Enrique Rojas contributed to this report.

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