Red Sox reliever Radatz dominated in early '60s

"He was a setup man, closer, finisher all in one," said Bill Lee, a former Red Sox pitcher and good friend of Radatz.

Infielder Rico Petrocelli played with Radatz from 1963 through 1965 and they remained friends.

"There were times when he'd throw seven innings. Then he'd come in for an inning the next day," Petrocelli said. "In his prime, he'd blow guys away. His fastball was overpowering."

Red Sox principal owner John Henry said in an e-mailed statement that Radatz "was as much a part of the Red Sox family over the past three years as he was at the height of his great career."

"It is with shock and sadness that we mourn his loss tonight," Henry wrote Wednesday. "I will remember him most for his great kindness to Red Sox fans whenever he was at Fenway."

Red Sox pitcher Bronson Arroyo recalled that when Radatz watched a game at Fenway Park "they always play `Monster Mash."'

Catcher Jason Varitek remembered seeing Radatz interact with some of his former teammates.

"I do remember the respect that he had from all his other teammates," Varitek said.

Opponents, though, feared his ability to fire the ball by them.

"I'd say for five or six years he was the best reliever in baseball," Pesky said.

In recent years, Radatz provided baseball commentary on television and radio and served as pitching coach of the North Shore Spirit of the independent Northeast League.