VTG DICK RADATZ BOSTON RED SOX BASEBALL MLB PITCHER SIGNED AUTOGRAPH PHOTO & COA

RARE & VINTAGE BILL DICK RADATZ MLB BOSTON RED SOX PLAYER SIGNED AUTOGRAPHED COLOR OFFICIAL LICENSED PHOTO WITH CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY.

eBay Auction Description:

This auction is for a rare and vintage, personally signed autographed, 8" x 10" color photo, of Dick Radatz, Boston Red Sox, MLB Baseball Team. The MLB officially licensed color photo, has been stored in plastic sheet and is in perfect condition. Original Certificate of Authenticity is included. Great vintage collectible sports memorabilia item for your home and or office.

Personal Bio about Dick Radatz:

Richard Raymond "Dick" 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 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.

End

Please email me, should you have any questions about this item.

The item comes from a non smoking environment.

Serious bidders only please.

PAYMENT INFORMATION

I accept for payment PAYPAL.COM, ETC. Items are shipped within 24 hours after payment is received and or cleared. Payment should be received within four (4) days of auctions end.

PayPal—eBay's service to make fast, easy, and secure payments for your eBay purchases!

SHIPPING INFORMATION Winner must reply within four (4) days of auction close with complete mailing address and contact information if required. The USA buyer (Continuous 48 states.) will receive Free USPS Mail Flat Rate Shipping and Handling. (Residents of Alaska and Hawaii may pay slightly higher shipping rates.) On average, you can expect delivery within 3-5 business days. Should the USA buyer wish to have this item shipped via another faster type of shipping service method (for an additional cost), please contact the seller prior to placing your bid and I'll be happy to discuss other possible shipping options with you. International high bidder will pay the actual USPS International First Class Mail Shipping and Handling. If you wish to insure this item for shipping, their will be an additional charge. High international bidder is 100% responsible for any and all customs and or duty fees. Should the International buyer wish to have this item shipped via another faster type of shipping service method (for an additional cost), please contact the seller prior to placing your bid and I'll be happy to discuss other possible shipping options with you. OTHER INFORMATION If you have any questions, please e-mail me. Great Customer Service Is My #1 Priority! If you are not 100% satisfied with your purchase, you may return it for a complete refund. I'm a trusted eBay Seller with a 100% Positive eBay Feedback Rating. Please purchase with confidence. I'm also a registered eBay Trader Assistant and will be happy to sell your items for you on eBay. ME PAGE AUCTIONS ADD TO FAVORITES CONTACT