LUIS TIANT WAS MLB'S MOST SUCCESSFUL CUBAN PITCHER

Two years later, he recommended him to the Mexico City Tigers of the Mexican League.
Tiant spent three seasons with Mexico City before Avila, second baseman for the Indians and the first Mexico-born all-star, recommended that Cleveland sign him.
The Indians purchased Tiant's contract for $35,000 in the summer of 1961, and he reached the major leagues three years later. He excelled in six seasons in Cleveland, posting a 2.84 ERA which was 20% better than league average.
He led a Cleveland pitching staff that led the American League in strikeouts five years in a row.
In 1968, the year of the pitcher, the Cardinals' Bob Gibson dominated headlines with a 1.12 ERA. In the AL, Tiant went 21-9 with a league-leading 1.60 ERA in 258.1 innings.
Cleveland traded Tiant after the 1969 season.
He injured his shoulder and pitched half a season for Minnesota in 1970 before being released.
The Braves signed him and released him.
But Tiant began to alter his pitching mechanics while in the minor leagues with Atlanta in 1971. He added a delivery quirk in which he rotated his body away from home plate, turning his back to the batter before unleashing the ba...