Cuban-native Luis Tiant, Sr. served 17-productive seasons as a left-handed pitcher in the Negro Leagues with the Cuban Stars (West) and the New York Cubans. He held the unique distinction of becoming a Negro Leagues All-Star twice, with a 12-year gap between appearances (1935; 1947). This also included a Negro World Series title with the New York Cubans in 1947.

Born in 1906, he began his professional career in Havana in 1926, and later added seasons in Mexico with Veracruz (1941), San Luis Potosi and Monterrey (1948). He inspired his son Luis C. Tiant to become a very successful pitcher in Major League Baseball during the 1970s.