Nov. 11, 1999

CHESNUT HILL, Mass. -- Former Boston Red Sox ace relief pitcher Dick Radatz will be the featured guest at the Diamond Club of Boston's eighth annual "Baseball Night in Boston" at Fenway Park's 600 Club on Thursday, Dec. 9, beginning at 6 p.m. The event also will feature a reception with special guests, including past and present Boston Red Sox players and a number of former Boston College sports stars.

The annual Baseball Night event will benefit both the BIG EAST Athletes Care program, a social service project that utilizes college student-athletes to provide educational and recreational opportunities to children in the city of Boston, and the Boston College baseball program.

At 6-6, 235 pounds, Radatz saved 104 games and won 49 for the Red Sox with 646 strikeouts in 176.1 innings from 1962-66. As a rookie in 1962, he led the American League with 62 relief appearances, nine relief wins and 24 saves. He was named the American League Fireman of the Year.

In 1963, Radatz was even better, winning 10 consecutive games on the way to a 15-6 record, a 1.92 ERA and 25 saves. In the 1962 All-Star Game, he struck out Willie Mays, Dick Groat, Duke Snider, Willie McCovey and Julian Javier in a two-inning stint. In 1964, he was again selected as the American League Fireman of the Year, appearing in 79 games with 16 wins and 29 saves. He recorded a win or save in 45 of Boston's 72 wins and struck out 181 batters in 157 innings. Former Yankee and Red Sox Manager Ralph Houk called Radatz "the greatest relief pitcher I have ever seen."

On Sept. 8, 1997, Radatz was inducted into the Red Sox Hall of Fame. In recent years he has served as a sports commentator for local Boston radio and TV stations.

Tickets for the event are $150 per person and may be obtained by calling the BC Athletics Development Office at 617-552-0772.