Sam Meets Tiant

First, let’s explain a few things about Sam Hestand. His TV has one channel, MLB Network. His vacations usually involve Fenway Park. He has a colorful tattoo of Ricky Freakin’ Henderson on his calf. And you might hear a Red Sox game in the background if he takes your customer service call at our Houston office.

So over the weekend, Sam travels to Boston to take in a couple of games at Fenway against the Indians. Friday night, Sam sees Jason Varitek and Tim Wakefield inducted into the Red Sox Hall of Fame in pre-game ceremonies. Saturday night, Mookie Betts goes grand slam for the Sox in a 9-1 win.

Then Saturday night at the hotel, Sam enjoyed a close encounter with Red Sox legendary righthander Luis Tiant, best known for his 1.60 ERA in 1968 which helped lead to MLB’s decision to lower the elevation of the mound from 15 to 10 inches in 1969: Hitters needed a break, it seemed.

Tiant, a Cuban who came to the US in the late 1950s as a minor league prospect only to be shutout of his home country for decades because of the US-Cuba embargo, pitched nearly two decades in the majors before being inducted himself into the Red Sox Hall of Fame.

Two Hall of Famers: Hestand the fan and Tiant the pitcher. IIDM Houston branch manager Stephen Weatherley asked Sam in confidence which was the better experience: Grand Slam/Sox Win/Tiant Meeting or his wedding day to Candice.

Hey, don’t ask me, the answer was kept in confidence.