Cleveland Indians Top Ten All-Time Pitchers

#10: RHP Luis Tiant

Is Luis Tiant the greatest pitcher to be excluded from the Baseballl Hall of Fame? The Cuban-born right-hander got his major league start with the Cleveland Indians, who signed him for $35,000 in 1961. After a few years in the minor leagues, Tiant made his debut on July 19, 1964.

That season, Tiant went 10-4 with a 2.83 ERA, including nine complete games and three shutouts, in 127 innings. He also struck out 105 batters and walked just 47.

Over six years with Cleveland, Tiant maintained a 2.84 ERA over 1200 innings, striking out 1041 batters in the process. He led the American League in ERA in his All-Star 1968 season, posting a 1.60 ERA and a 2.04 FIP, and finishing the season with a 21-9 record. Tiant was part of a staff that included Sudden Sam McDowell, making it one of the best rotations in Tribe history.

In 1969, Tiant had a terrible season and was subsequently dealt to Minnesota in exchange for Graig Nettles and Dean Chance. He spent a season with the Twins before signing with the Boston Red Sox, where he spent the majority of his career. Despite picking up two more All-Star appearances and winning the ERA title a second time in 1972, Tiant just couldn’t match the same consistent ace-like success that he had with the Tribe. He was still a very good pitcher, however, and finished his career with a 3.30 ERA and 2416 strikeouts.

Tiant, who was much more popular with fans than sportswriters, was not elected to the Hall of Fame despite having better career numbers – including a 54.8 career WAR – than several other pitchers who were bestowed with that honor. Despite that, his contributions to the Indians’ rotations of the 1960s makes him a fitting choice for #10 on this list.

Next: All-Time Best Pitchers: #9