DICK RADATZ·1963

The Monster owned the eighth and ninth in ’63. Dick Radatz, all six-foot-six of him, worked 66 games, finished 58, and slammed the door 25 times. The 1.97 ERA was rude. The 162 strikeouts in 132 innings were a rumor until you saw them. Fifteen wins from the pen—a fireman who pitched like a starter. Boston’s All-Star problem: the game ended when he stood up. Which is where the cartoons take over.

1.97 ERA

Rude work from the eighth and ninth — the American League could not catch up.

15 FROM THE PEN

Fifteen wins as a fireman who pitched like a starter — sixty-six appearances, fifty-eight finishes.

ALL-STAR DOOR

Boston’s All-Star problem: the game ended when he stood up in the bullpen.

Dick Radatz, Boston Red Sox, 1965. Jay Publishing / Wikimedia Commons. Public domain (US).