Rest in Peace J.R. Richard

Best Slider: J.R. Richard - Best tools in MLB history - ESPN

Born:

March 7th, 1950 Vienna, Louisiana

Died:

August 4th, 2021 (Age 71) Houston, Texas

Positions:

Pitcher

Batted:

Right

Threw

Right

Teams:

Houston Astros (1971-1980)

Awards:

All Star (1980)
NL ERA Leader (1979)
2x NL Strikeout Leader (1978,1979)

Key Notes:

In his first major league game on September 5, 1971, Richard struck out 15 batters in the second game of a doubleheader against the San Francisco Giants at Candlestick Park, tying the record for most strikeouts in a debut set by Karl Spooner of the Brooklyn Dodgers against the New York Giants on September 22, 1954.

Richard got some major league innings each year from 1971 to 1974, but also spent time in the minors each year. He became a major league regular in 1975, going 12-10 on a team which was 64-97, and then in 1976 won 20 games for a sub-.500 team. He was again a big winner in 1977, when the team was 81-81, and continued with 18 wins in 1978, when the team was again under .500. He yet again won 18 games in 1979, when the Astros finally finished over .500, and he led the 1979 National League in ERA.

1980 started as a terrific year for Richard. His stats for the year were a 1.90 ERA and a 10-4 record in 17 starts. Shortly after his appearance in the 1980 All-Star Game, he took himself out of a game against the Atlanta Braves on July 14th, complaining of nausea and numbness in his arm, and was placed on the disabled list. The Astros accused him of malingering after early tests proved inconclusive. He collapsed while throwing on the sidelines on July 30th, the victim of a massive blood clot, but his life was saved. He would never pitch in the major leagues again, however, and the Astros were much chastised for the shabby treatment given to his medical complaints.

Cards: