Here's a nickname card for one of those characters of the day, Luis Tiant, aka "El Tiante".
Take a look at my card design:
I decided on a 1975 template for him since he was in the middle of a
resurgence at the time, and was on his way to a World Series with the
Red Sox.
With his career seemingly done in 1970/71, Tiant found himself in
Boston and immediately was back in form, leading the American League in
earned run average with a sterling 1.91 in 1972 along with six shutouts
in only 19 starts.
In three of the next four seasons he'd top 20 wins, and was on his
way to a solid, if not arguably Hall-worthy 19-year career, retiring
after the 1982 season after pitching in six games with the California
Angels.
By that time he fashioned a 229-172 record, with a 3.30 E.R.A., 49
shutouts and 2416 strikeouts, with two seasons of sub-2.00 E.R.A., four
20-win campaigns as well as three 200+ strikeout years.
As a kid in Brooklyn, New York in the late 70's I remember him with
the Yankees, and always thought he looked like some cool granpa who was
always cracking jokes. In other words, I loved him!
After getting 30.9% support in his first year on the Hall of Fame
ballot in 1988, he never got close again to those numbers, topping out
at 18.0% in his final year of eligibility in 2002.
But it's easy to say that "El Tiante" definitely left his mark on the game during his time on the mound!
