Because it’s introducing a FOMO they can’t do anything about.
But I’m going to go right ahead and say that about Luis Tiant.
If you didn’t get to see him pitch, you truly missed out.
you’ve got the option to watch all the highlights.
And I suggest you do.
But seeing him in real time was one of the great joys I’ve ever had.
As a fan of sports or of life.
(Though I repeat myself.)
He was the very definition of, “If you were there, no explanation is necessary.
If you weren’t, none will suffice.
It’s been a long time since a Baseball Hall of Fame discussion was even remotely fun.
Because he to me represents the greatest injustice of them all.
Tiant’s best traits were something you could’t quantify, but were unmistakable.
And made him one of the most compelling athletes I’ve ever seen.
Call it what you will.
The sort of thing you could’t define, but you know it when you experience it.
Trying to describe the indescribable.
From a fastball with pinpoint location to a slow, looping curve, and everything in between.
All delivered from every angle the human arm is capable of.
The one where he completed turned his back to the hitter and faced centerfield.
The one where as he turned, he’d look straight up to the sky.
All without sacrificing any of his uncanny control.
Of connecting with the public.
He sat down buckass naked on a pile of towels with a giant cigar sticking out of his mouth.
And proceeded to repeat it for everyone that came through, just to watch their reaction.
And it seemed like a difficult, emotional experience for him.
As you’d imagine if you were watching a documentary about your life starring you.
It will be time well spent.
His kind will not pass this way again.
