Dick Radatz facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Dick Radatz |
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| Relief Pitcher | |||
| Born: April 2, 1937 Detroit, Michigan, U.S. |
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| Died: March 16, 2005 (aged 67) Easton, Massachusetts, U.S. |
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| debut | |||
| April 10, 1962, for the Boston Red Sox | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| August 15, 1969, for the Montreal Expos | |||
| MLB statistics | |||
| Win–loss record | 52–43 | ||
| Earned run average | 3.13 | ||
| Strikeouts | 745 | ||
| Saves | 120 | ||
| Teams | |||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||
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Richard "Dick" Raymond Radatz (born April 2, 1937 – died March 16, 2005) was a famous American relief pitcher in Major League Baseball. He was nicknamed "The Monster" because he was very tall (6 feet, 6 inches) and strong. He was known for striking out many batters in a row. Dick Radatz played mostly for the Boston Red Sox in the early 1960s.
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Early Life and Baseball Start
Dick Radatz was born in Detroit, Michigan. He went to Berkley High School. He was a talented athlete, playing both basketball and baseball at Michigan State University. In 1959, he joined the Red Sox as a free agent.
When he first started playing professionally, Dick was a starting pitcher. He played for two seasons in the Red Sox's minor league teams, which are like training grounds for young players. In 1961, a coach suggested he become a relief pitcher instead. This meant he would come into games later to help finish them. This change worked out very well for him.
Becoming "The Monster"
Dick Radatz quickly became a star in Major League Baseball. He joined the Boston Red Sox in 1962.
Amazing Rookie Season
In his first year, Dick was incredibly good. He pitched many innings without letting the other team score. He led the American League in "saves" (24), which means he finished many games where his team was winning. He also led in "games played" (62) and "relief wins" (9). His "earned run average" (ERA) was very low, at 2.24. This amazing performance earned him the "Fireman of the Year" award from The Sporting News. A "fireman" in baseball is a relief pitcher who comes in to put out "fires" or stop the other team from scoring.
All-Star Years
In 1963, Dick Radatz was chosen for the Major League Baseball All-Star Game. He struck out many famous players during the game. That season, he had 23 saves and won 15 games. His ERA was even lower, at 1.97. He was one of the best players in the league, even though his team didn't do very well.
In 1964, he continued to be a top relief pitcher. He won his second "Fireman of the Year" award. He led the league with 29 saves and won 16 games. He also set a record for relief pitchers by striking out 181 batters in one season. He was again picked for the All-Star Game.
Time with the Red Sox
The 1965 season was a bit tougher for Dick Radatz at the start. But he still managed to get 22 saves. He even hit his only career home run in a game that year! In 1997, he was honored by being chosen for the Boston Red Sox Hall of Fame.
After the 1965 season, there were talks about him moving to other teams. But he stayed with the Red Sox for the beginning of 1966. In June 1966, he was traded to the Cleveland Indians.
Overall, during his time with the Boston Red Sox, Dick Radatz had 104 saves. This was a team record for many years. He won 49 games and struck out 646 batters.
Moving to Other Teams
After leaving the Red Sox, Dick Radatz played for a few other teams.
Cleveland and Chicago
He played for the Cleveland Indians for a short time in 1966 and 1967. Then, in 1967, he was traded to the Chicago Cubs. He got his first win with the Cubs in June. However, he started to have trouble with his pitching control. This meant he had difficulty throwing the ball where he wanted it to go. He was sent to the minor leagues to practice, but he couldn't get his control back.
Detroit and Montreal
In 1968, he signed with his hometown team, the Detroit Tigers. He played for their minor league team that year. In 1969, he made it back to the Tigers' main team. He played 11 games for them before being traded to the Montreal Expos in June. He played for the Expos until August, when he was released. This was his last season in Major League Baseball.
Life After Baseball
After his baseball career, Dick Radatz worked in different jobs. He even had his own radio show where he talked about sports. He often said that pitchers today weren't as strong as they used to be.
In 1984, he moved back to the Boston area, where he felt a special connection with the fans. Before he passed away, he worked as a pitching coach for a team called the North Shore Spirit.
Dick Radatz died on March 16, 2005, after an accident at his home in Easton, Massachusetts. The Red Sox held a moment of silence to remember him during their first home game of the 2005 season. He is remembered as "The Monster" who dominated baseball in the early 1960s.
See also
- List of Major League Baseball annual saves leaders
