Dick Radatz

Dick Radatz
Dick Radatz
Pitcher
Born: April 2, 1937(1937-04-02)
Detroit, Michigan
Died: March 16, 2005(2005-03-16) (aged 67)
South Easton, Massachusetts
Batted: Right Threw: Right 
MLB debut
April 10, 1962 for the Boston Red Sox
Last MLB appearance
August 15, 1969 for the [Montreal Expos
Career statistics
Win–loss record     52–43
Earned run average     3.80
Strikeouts     745
Saves     122
Teams
Career highlights and awards

Richard Raymond Radatz (April 2, 1937 – March 16, 2005), nicknamed "The Monster" or "Moose", was an American right-handed relief pitcher in Major League Baseball who had a scorching but short-lived period of dominance for the Boston Red Sox (1962–66). Radatz also played for the Cleveland Indians (1966–67), Chicago Cubs (1967), Detroit Tigers (1969) and Montreal Expos (1969). He began his adult professional life as a school teacher.

Born in Detroit, Michigan, Radatz attended Berkley High School. He led the American League in saves (24), games (62) and relief wins (9) in 1962, his rookie season with the Red Sox, and was named Fireman of the Year by The Sporting News.

In 1963 Radatz saved 25 games and went 15-6 with a 1.97 ERA, becoming the first pitcher in history to have consecutive 20-save seasons. The same season he was selected to the All-Star Game, and impressed with strikeouts of Willie Mays, Dick Groat, Duke Snider, Willie McCovey and Julián Javier in the two innings he pitched. In 1963, Yankee manager Ralph Houk said, "For two seasons, I've never seen a better pitcher," and reporters apparently agreed: Radatz finished 5th in MVP voting despite Boston's 7th-place finish.

Radatz received his second Fireman of the Year award in 1964 for his league-leading 29 saves with 16 wins and a 2.29 ERA in 79 games. Again, he was selected an All-Star (but was saddled with the loss in that game when Johnny Callison hit a dramatic home run). Most notably, he fanned 181 batters in 157 innings, setting a record that still stands for most strikeouts by a relief pitcher in a single season.

Sportswriter Jim Murray wrote that "Dick Radatz brings one weapon - a fastball. It's like saying all a country brings to a war is an atom bomb." However, Radatz's one-pitch arsenal was a worry for Boston, and Ted Williams encouraged him to develop a sinker. Radatz complied, but in changing his mechanics to incorporate the new pitch, he permanently lost the edge on his fastball.

In 1965 Radatz went 9-11 with 24 saves and a high 3.91 ERA. He was diagnosed with injuries in his arm and shoulder which required season-ending surgery. He never recovered his form, was traded to the Indians at the 1966 mid-season, and was sent to the Cubs the following year. Out of action for the 1968 season, he finished his career with the Tigers and Expos in 1969.

Overall with Boston, Radatz saved 104 games (a team record later broken by Bob Stanley) with a 49-34 record and 646 strikeouts in 576.1 innings pitched. With the other four teams he went 6-20 with 26 saves in 117.2 innings.

Dick Radatz was selected to the Boston Red Sox Hall of Fame in 1997. He died in March 2005 after falling down a flight of stairs at his home in Easton, Massachusetts. The Red Sox held a moment of silence during their 2005 home opener in his honor.

See also

External links


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем сделать НИР

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Challenge The Yankees — was a popular baseball board game, sold only in 1964 and 1965 by Hasbro (Hassenfeld Bros.) of Pawtucket, Rhode Island. The game and many of its components, especially the player cards is now a popular Ebay item, consisting of 25 New York Yankees… …   Wikipedia

  • The Sporting News Reliever of the Year Award — was established in 1960 by The Sporting News (TSN) as TSN Fireman of the Year Award. The award originally recognized the best closer from each league, but in 2001 the award was broadened to include all relievers. The name was subsequently changed …   Wikipedia

  • Chicago Cubs all-time roster — The Chicago Cubs baseball club is an original member of the National League (1876 to date), established in 1874 or 1870. Here is a list of players who appeared in at least one regular season game beginning 1874. (Their 1870–1871 players are in… …   Wikipedia

  • Liste des joueurs des Indians de Cleveland — Liste des joueurs de baseball ayant évolué au moins un match pour les Indians de Cleveland depuis 1901 sous les différents noms de la franchise : Blues (1901), Bronchos (1902), Naps (1903 1914) et Indians (depuis 1915). Sommaire : Haut… …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Detroit Tigers all-time roster — This is a list of players, both past and current, who appeared at least in one game for the Detroit Tigers, with their main position and years played. Players in Bold are members of the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Players in Italics have had… …   Wikipedia

  • Cleveland Indians all-time roster — The following is a list of players, both past and current, who appeared at least in one game for the Cleveland American League franchise known as the Blues (1901), Bronchos (1902), Naps (1903–14) and Indians (1915–present). Players in Bold are… …   Wikipedia

  • List of baseball nicknames — Baseball nicknames have become an integral part of the sport s culture: In no sport are nicknames more pervasive than baseball. [1] This is a list of nicknames of Major League Baseball teams and players. It includes a complete list of nicknames… …   Wikipedia

  • Jesse Hickman — Pitcher Born: February 2, 1939 (1939 02 02) (age 72) Lecompte, Louisiana Batted: Right Threw: Right  …   Wikipedia

  • Boston Red Sox Hall of Fame — The Boston Red Sox Hall of Fame was instituted in 1995 to recognize the careers of former Boston Red Sox players. A 15 member selection committee of Red Sox broadcasters and executives, past and present media personnel, and representatives from… …   Wikipedia

  • 2005 in baseball — See also: 2005 Major League Baseball season The following are the baseball events of the year 2005 throughout the world.   Contents 1 Headline events of the year 2 Champions 2.1 Major League Baseball …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”