Today the world lost one of its best people ever. To the Yankees catcher Thurman Munson Luis was like a brother.
When Luis mother died he never forgot the fact that the only player to send flowers was Thurman Munson. Their relationship was beautiful.
Tiant was a truly loved individual in the clubhouse. When Tiant was with the Red Sox he had an extremely close relationship with Carlton Fisk. When Fisk was inducted into the Hall of Fame he thanked Tiant for his encouragement and called him his very favorite teammate.
No one could ever say a bad word about Uncle T as Thurman loved calling him.
In the Yankees clubhouse, Tiant use to put on a roller derby outfit and skates all. He would skate around with a cigar in his mouth and we would all laugh. He would even go into the hot tub with a cigar and we would laugh like crazy.
One time Luis and I went to a restaurant in Fort Lauderdale after a practice and when we got to the door he told me that I had to wait outside. I asked him why and he pointed to a sign that said… No Pets! We both laughed like crazy.
That was his wonderful humor.
I wish you knew Luis Tiant like I did because like me, you would have truly loved him.
I spoke to Uncle T last week and the conversation was very sweet but short. Our conversations were usually very long. After I hung up I had deep anxiety because he had not been well.
This morning the phone rang and the caller I. D. Said Luis Tiant Junior. At that very moment I knew that I had lost a very true friend.
The last time we were together was in Troy New York. He was being inducted into the New York State Baseball Hall of Fame. The head of the hall Renie LeRoux asked Luis if Ray Negron was like a little brother and Uncle T said no he is like a son!
Now I will call some of his teammates like Bucky Dent, who Tiant loved very much, and Dom Scala, Sweet Lou Piniella, and others. I do take comfort at the fact that Uncle T will be with Thurman and Catfish Hunter and Bobby Murcer and of course the Boss. They had a very sweet relationship.
To Maria and all of the Tiant family, I can only say thank you for understanding that a person like Luis Tiant really did belong to the wonderful game of baseball just like Babe Ruth Roberto Clemente, and Jackie Robinson. Thank you for always sharing with him.
Uncle T, I will always miss that wonderful laugh of yours. Rest in Peace and I will see you on the other side!
