Career
Ratzer was signed as a minor league free agent by the Expos on June 11, 1975. He began playing immediately at the rookie league level, and by 1977 he had worked his way up to the Expos" American Automobile Association affiliate in the American Association, the Denver Bears, where he remained through the 1980 season. Ratzer made his MLB debut on the final day (October 5) of the 1980 season as the starting pitcher when the Expos hosted the Philadelphia Phillies.
In the bottom of the fourth inning, he was removed in favor a pinch hitter having surrendered 5 runs on 9 hits.
The Expos rallied, winning the game in 10 innings, leaving him with a no-decision in his debut. In 1981, Ratzer appeared in 12 games, all in relief.
On April 28 at the Philadelphia Phillies, he relieved starter Charlie Lea, pitching a 1–2–3 fifth inning. On May 14 at the Los Angeles Dodgers, he relieved Bill Gullickson pitching another 1–2–3 eighth inning.
However, he recorded his only loss when he surrendered a lead-off, walk-off home run to Pedro Guerrero in the next inning.
Three days later he was sent back down to the minors. Ratzer finished the 1981 season with the Denver Bears. He finished his professional career with the Tidewater Tides, the Mets" American Automobile Association affiliate in the International League in 1982, and back with the Denver Bears, who were by then the Chicago White Sox American Automobile Association affiliate in 1983.