Monster Mashed

Former Red Sox ace closer Dick “the Monster” Radatz died following a fall in his home at the age of 67. Standing 6-foot-5 with a 95 mph fastball, Radatz’s presence alone was intimidating, but as so often occurs with the Red Sox, his nickname and legend were secured against the New York Yankees. Entering a game at Fenway Park with the bases loaded, Radatz struck out Mickey Mantle, Roger Maris and Elston Howard, Yankees who would win 6 AL MVP Awards in an 8-year span, on a total of 10 pitches. When asked later, Mantle chalked the inning up to “that monster Radatz.”