We'll Miss You, Monster

Dick Radatz. The Monster.

He's one of the names forever linked to the Red Sox uniform. Though he was given his most recognizable moniker because of his looming stature and blazing fastball, and was even known for a short while as the less acceptable "Creature" on an WEEI show, he never struck me as one with an attitude problem or undesirable disposition in any way. He was a big man with a big smile, and he grew even bigger as he got older, both in size and reputation; I can see how opposing batters may have felt a bit intimidated as they looked out to the mound and saw him. He was one of if not the most successful relievers of his time, a time where stats like "saves" had a different definition. The man had 181 strikeouts as a reliever in 1964. I never saw him play, but I have had the pleasure of listening to his scratchy but cheerful voice as he was a regular on TV postgame shows, local radio shows, and Red Sox related events.

Many stories and factoids are told of Radatz, and many artcles will undoubtedly be written about him as a result of his untimely death. Here, for what they are worth, are my favorite Radatz factoid and my favorite Raditz-related memory.

Mickey Mantle, the Yankee great who is unquestionably one of the greatest all-around ballplayers of all-time, was the man who gave Radatz his ominous nickname, and he had good reason to think of this opposing pitcher this way. For his career, Mantle was 1-66 against Radatz, with 1HR and 44K. Unreal. I guess Radatz had Mantle's number, eh?

I remember one afternoon listening to WEEI in the afternoon, and the guests that day included Rico Petricelli, in studio, and Dennis Eckersley via phone. At one point Eck said something about relievers, and I think Radatz in particular, that really pissed off Rico, who promptly challenged Eck to come down to the station to "discuss the matter further". Nobody messes with the Monster, Hall of Fame or not, at least not when his former teammates are around, testament to the quality of both his pitching ability and his character.

Everyone in Red Sox nation as well as anyone who knows the game of baseball will miss Dick Radatz. He will always be Fenway's most famous and revered Monster, as far as I'm concerned.

RedSox.com Article
HOF Article
Boston.com article