103 mph fastball, with a 97 mph slider. Olds like me remember him pitching in the Dome. Massive stroke at 30 cut his career short. Astros legend..
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RIP J.R Richard
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Last: 4 yr ago by AJerry
Only foul ball I've ever got was in the Dome and hit by Mr. J.R. Richard.
Struck out 15 in his MLB debut.
RIP - I remember going to a game in the Astrodome when he was pitching. Packed Dome and everyone going crazy whenever he would get two strikes on a batter. He was AWESOME
I was in the room here one day... watchin' the Mexican channel on TV. I don't know nothin' about Pele. I'm watchin' what this guy can do with a ball and his feet. Next thing I know, he jumps in the air and flips into a somersault and kicks the ball in - upside down and backwards... the dang (sc) goalie never knew what the hell hit him. Pele gets excited and he rips off his jersey and starts running around the stadium waving it around his head. Everybody's screaming in Spanish. I'
I played against J R Richard. In the late 80's. Ok, ok, it was just softball. Bellaire league. He was playing R field and the former player/Rockets announcer, McCoy McLemore was also on the team.
Rest In Peace my friend!!!
Rest In Peace my friend!!!
Batters were legit afraid to step in the box against him. The only other pitcher I've seen that with is Randy Johnson.
RIP to a legend.
RIP to a legend.
For my money, the greatest Astros pitcher of all time. The only thing Nolan has on JR is durability/longevity.
Agreed
JR was a man among boys when he was on the mound. It was a very sad day when he suffered a stroke. Oh what could have been..
RIP big man..,..
RIP big man..,..
It's crazy to think what could have been with he and Nolan on the same staff for a good while.
Throw in 1986 Mike Scott and something magical could have really happened for the Astros.
RIP J.R.
Throw in 1986 Mike Scott and something magical could have really happened for the Astros.
RIP J.R.
After his stroke, he lost all his money and was living under a bridge for some time. He eventually turned it around and became a minister.
Sorry to see these sports figures of my youth pass on.
RIP JR
Sorry to see these sports figures of my youth pass on.
RIP JR
Read Nolan Ryan's autobiography "Throwing Heat". Lots of direct quotes from players talking about being afraid to face Nolan. "A good night tonight is 0-4 and you don't get hit in the head". That lineup with he and JR in the same lineup had to be terrifying for hitters.Big Cat `93 said:
Batters were legit afraid to step in the box against him. The only other pitcher I've seen that with is Randy Johnson.
RIP to a legend.
RIP JR
RIP
The amazing thing about J.R. Richard was that he could throw a baseball hard, really hard. One of Richard's pitches was once clocked at 98 miles per hour. Oh, did I fail to mention that this particular pitch was his slider? His fastball was regularly gunned in the triple digits, and on more than one occasion reached 103 mph.
Born to parents Clayton and Lizzie back on March 7 in the year of our lord 1950, it didn't take long for James Rodney Richard to figure out he liked sports. It also didn't take long for him, and the surrounding communities, to realize he excelled at them.
Basketball and baseball were the two sports that quickly showcased Richard's physical gifts.
As a pitcher, imagine not losing a single high school game for your career, and not giving up a single run in your senior year. How about hitting four consecutive jacks, and in the same game pitching your team to a 48-0 shellacking of your opponent?
His basketball prowess was such that Richard entertained offers of scholarships from nearly every elite college program in the country. He turned every one of them down flat.
Instead, he would sign an offer from the Houston Astros to play professional baseball.
The Astros were enamored enough with Richard's high school production, as well as his physical tools (Richard stood 6'8'' and weighed 220 pounds as a senior in high school), to make him the second overall selection in baseball's amateur draft held in 1969.
Like many young pitchers, Richard spent the better part of the next two years toiling in the minors. The strikeouts were amassing quickly, but also like many young pitchers, mechanics had to be perfected and control had to be tamed.
Richard made his Major League debut with the Astros on Sept. 6, 1971 at the tender age of 21.
He was asked to take the mound for the second game of a doubleheader against the San Francisco Giantsa team that included Willie Mays, Willie McCovey, and Bobby Bonds.
All Richard did was strike out 15 Giants, including Willie Mays thrice. He picked up the win, and tied a 17-year-old record for strikeouts in a debut for a starting pitcher.
After Richard's auspicious debut, he found himself again contending with control problems.
He split time between the major league and the minor league until 1975, when he finally became a fixture of the Astros pitching staff for the next five-and-a-half seasons.
While winning 20 games in 1976, and 18 games in each season from 1977 thorough 1979, Richard became a strikeout machine. Using his blistering fastball and his equally effective slider, he won the single season strikeout title in both 1978 and 1979, ringing up 303 and 313 batters, respectively.
In the 1980 season, Richard was named to his first All-Star Game. Before the break he was just flat-out gasthree straight complete-game shutouts, 10 victories, 110 strikeouts, and an ERA of 1.96.
Soreness in his shoulder and back would limit Richard to only two innings pitched in the All-Star Game however; foreboding of things to come.
As Richard's complaints of dizziness, blurred vision, and arm "deadness" escalated, so did the zetetic position of the Houston Astros organization, as well as that of the media.
Rumors of a lackadaisical attitude, drug use, and even jealousy of Nolan Ryan began to swirl about.
"You know what gets me, they talk about me faking!" said Richard. "I'd pitched five years in a row without missing a start, and they talking about me faking."
Richard made one start after the All-Star Game, against the Atlanta Braves; he was pulled in the fourth inning after not being able to see his catcher's signs due to blurred vision.
The Astros responded by placing Richard on the 21-day disabled list.
Richard still questions the indecision on the Astros part.
"Why wasn't I taken to the hospital and diagnosed to see what was really wrong if I'd meant so much to the Houston Astros?"
On July 30, 1980, while tossing a ball around in the outfield prior to a game, Richard collapsed from what would later be identified as a stroke.
Blood flow in the major arteries in the right side of Richard's neck had been completely restricted. A few hours later, life-saving emergency surgery was performed to restore blood flow to his brain.
To make matters worse, it was later discovered Richard had suffered no less than three strokes; he still suffered from arterial blockages in his right arm. He also was diagnosed with a condition known as arterial thoracic outlet syndrome.
In short, he could start a game feeling fine, but the constriction of blood would eventually cause the arm to numb.
After two years of therapy, another stint in the minors, and an almost complete recovery, Richard was ready to pitch in the majors once again.
However, fate would once again rear its ugly head.
There were complications from the 1980 surgery. By 1983, he was having severe pain in his right calf.
Originally, an artery from the calf had been harvested and placed in his neck. That left a synthetic replacement in his leg. The substitute section of artery had collapsed, necessitating an emergency surgical bypass.
Doctors now advised Richard the risk of further complications were so great, that pitching again was out of the question.
It was also apparent to many that Richard's physical abilities had diminished.
The Astros released Richard in the spring of 1984, and the downward spiral of J.R. Richard's life hit overdrive.
Richard lost hundreds of thousands of dollars in bad business investments, was divorced twice, lost his home, and in the winter of 1994, was found living under a Houston freeway underpass.
Enter Reverend Floyd Lewis of the New Testament Church of South Houston.
With Lewis's help, guidance, and understanding, as well as a deeply rooted faith in God, Richard overcame homelessness and despair.
In time, Richard himself became a minister in the church. He and Lewis now spend countless hours helping the homeless and mentoring the area's youth that need a guiding hand.
Richard is also involved in raising funds to help establish youth baseball leagues around the city of Houston. He firmly believes if kids are playing baseball, they won't be joining gangs.
Of his many accomplishments, one of them he is most proud of is his membership in the exclusive club known as, "The 12 Black Aces."
The group is comprised of the 12 African-American pitchers that have achieved 20 or more victories in a single season.
Others in the group include Don Newcombe, Bob Gibson, Vida Blue, and the founder of the group, James Timothy "Mudcat" Grant.
After all the man has been through, he does not dwell on the bad things that have befallen him.
"That's hindsight, and that doesn't do any good to sit here and dwell on what could (have) been," said Richard. "It's part of my past, and I'm trying to go further in life. I try to leave that alone and look at what's in front of me.
This philosophy is the foundation of his message when he serves as a motivational speaker around the country.
With that said, he still firmly believes if his career wasn't cut short, he would be the all-time strikeout leader.
With 1,493 in his shortened career, who can blame him?
A write up about J.R. I found.
Born to parents Clayton and Lizzie back on March 7 in the year of our lord 1950, it didn't take long for James Rodney Richard to figure out he liked sports. It also didn't take long for him, and the surrounding communities, to realize he excelled at them.
Basketball and baseball were the two sports that quickly showcased Richard's physical gifts.
As a pitcher, imagine not losing a single high school game for your career, and not giving up a single run in your senior year. How about hitting four consecutive jacks, and in the same game pitching your team to a 48-0 shellacking of your opponent?
His basketball prowess was such that Richard entertained offers of scholarships from nearly every elite college program in the country. He turned every one of them down flat.
Instead, he would sign an offer from the Houston Astros to play professional baseball.
The Astros were enamored enough with Richard's high school production, as well as his physical tools (Richard stood 6'8'' and weighed 220 pounds as a senior in high school), to make him the second overall selection in baseball's amateur draft held in 1969.
Like many young pitchers, Richard spent the better part of the next two years toiling in the minors. The strikeouts were amassing quickly, but also like many young pitchers, mechanics had to be perfected and control had to be tamed.
Richard made his Major League debut with the Astros on Sept. 6, 1971 at the tender age of 21.
He was asked to take the mound for the second game of a doubleheader against the San Francisco Giantsa team that included Willie Mays, Willie McCovey, and Bobby Bonds.
All Richard did was strike out 15 Giants, including Willie Mays thrice. He picked up the win, and tied a 17-year-old record for strikeouts in a debut for a starting pitcher.
After Richard's auspicious debut, he found himself again contending with control problems.
He split time between the major league and the minor league until 1975, when he finally became a fixture of the Astros pitching staff for the next five-and-a-half seasons.
While winning 20 games in 1976, and 18 games in each season from 1977 thorough 1979, Richard became a strikeout machine. Using his blistering fastball and his equally effective slider, he won the single season strikeout title in both 1978 and 1979, ringing up 303 and 313 batters, respectively.
In the 1980 season, Richard was named to his first All-Star Game. Before the break he was just flat-out gasthree straight complete-game shutouts, 10 victories, 110 strikeouts, and an ERA of 1.96.
Soreness in his shoulder and back would limit Richard to only two innings pitched in the All-Star Game however; foreboding of things to come.
As Richard's complaints of dizziness, blurred vision, and arm "deadness" escalated, so did the zetetic position of the Houston Astros organization, as well as that of the media.
Rumors of a lackadaisical attitude, drug use, and even jealousy of Nolan Ryan began to swirl about.
"You know what gets me, they talk about me faking!" said Richard. "I'd pitched five years in a row without missing a start, and they talking about me faking."
Richard made one start after the All-Star Game, against the Atlanta Braves; he was pulled in the fourth inning after not being able to see his catcher's signs due to blurred vision.
The Astros responded by placing Richard on the 21-day disabled list.
Richard still questions the indecision on the Astros part.
"Why wasn't I taken to the hospital and diagnosed to see what was really wrong if I'd meant so much to the Houston Astros?"
On July 30, 1980, while tossing a ball around in the outfield prior to a game, Richard collapsed from what would later be identified as a stroke.
Blood flow in the major arteries in the right side of Richard's neck had been completely restricted. A few hours later, life-saving emergency surgery was performed to restore blood flow to his brain.
To make matters worse, it was later discovered Richard had suffered no less than three strokes; he still suffered from arterial blockages in his right arm. He also was diagnosed with a condition known as arterial thoracic outlet syndrome.
In short, he could start a game feeling fine, but the constriction of blood would eventually cause the arm to numb.
After two years of therapy, another stint in the minors, and an almost complete recovery, Richard was ready to pitch in the majors once again.
However, fate would once again rear its ugly head.
There were complications from the 1980 surgery. By 1983, he was having severe pain in his right calf.
Originally, an artery from the calf had been harvested and placed in his neck. That left a synthetic replacement in his leg. The substitute section of artery had collapsed, necessitating an emergency surgical bypass.
Doctors now advised Richard the risk of further complications were so great, that pitching again was out of the question.
It was also apparent to many that Richard's physical abilities had diminished.
The Astros released Richard in the spring of 1984, and the downward spiral of J.R. Richard's life hit overdrive.
Richard lost hundreds of thousands of dollars in bad business investments, was divorced twice, lost his home, and in the winter of 1994, was found living under a Houston freeway underpass.
Enter Reverend Floyd Lewis of the New Testament Church of South Houston.
With Lewis's help, guidance, and understanding, as well as a deeply rooted faith in God, Richard overcame homelessness and despair.
In time, Richard himself became a minister in the church. He and Lewis now spend countless hours helping the homeless and mentoring the area's youth that need a guiding hand.
Richard is also involved in raising funds to help establish youth baseball leagues around the city of Houston. He firmly believes if kids are playing baseball, they won't be joining gangs.
Of his many accomplishments, one of them he is most proud of is his membership in the exclusive club known as, "The 12 Black Aces."
The group is comprised of the 12 African-American pitchers that have achieved 20 or more victories in a single season.
Others in the group include Don Newcombe, Bob Gibson, Vida Blue, and the founder of the group, James Timothy "Mudcat" Grant.
After all the man has been through, he does not dwell on the bad things that have befallen him.
"That's hindsight, and that doesn't do any good to sit here and dwell on what could (have) been," said Richard. "It's part of my past, and I'm trying to go further in life. I try to leave that alone and look at what's in front of me.
This philosophy is the foundation of his message when he serves as a motivational speaker around the country.
With that said, he still firmly believes if his career wasn't cut short, he would be the all-time strikeout leader.
With 1,493 in his shortened career, who can blame him?
A write up about J.R. I found.
During the Astros broadcast tonight the announcers interviewed Enos Cabell. He shared several great memories of JR. Said he was shocked when he found out he was in the hospital. Said he died of COVID.
I had to look up the word 'zetetic' and I'm still not sure it's used correctly there.Quote:
As Richard's complaints of dizziness, blurred vision, and arm "deadness" escalated, so did the zetetic position of the Houston Astros organization, as well as that of the media.
I didn't write it, but good work pointing out probably the most meaningful thing of the article. Gold star
Not trying to absolve the Astro's of any blam here, but did the Astros forbid him from going to the doctor? Could he not just go himself?
I get that as a player you rely on the health/medical staff of the organization you work for, but at some point you've got to say, something's wrong and go get some help.
I get that as a player you rely on the health/medical staff of the organization you work for, but at some point you've got to say, something's wrong and go get some help.
He was my favorite Astros pitcher from the late 70s era. Still remember watching him start in the 1980 all star game.
In the late 80's I worked at a HiLo Auto parts and he would come in.
His Suburban had those multicolored Astro stripes down the side. He took me out to look at a part he didn't know the name of and just leaned over and pointed to a fitting on the back of the engine. At 6'2" I had to climb on the bumper to see what he was pointing at.
He brought us some Boudin from LA and when I told him how good it was his response was "there's no shame in my game".
Definitely a Gentle Giant after his playing career was over.
RIP
His Suburban had those multicolored Astro stripes down the side. He took me out to look at a part he didn't know the name of and just leaned over and pointed to a fitting on the back of the engine. At 6'2" I had to climb on the bumper to see what he was pointing at.
He brought us some Boudin from LA and when I told him how good it was his response was "there's no shame in my game".
Definitely a Gentle Giant after his playing career was over.
RIP
Quote:
(Original Caption) Houston Astros pitcher J.R. Richard is lifted into an ambulance after collapsing following a short workout in the Astrodome to test his troubled pitching arm. Richard, placed on the disabled list on July 16th, 1980, was rushed back to Methodist Hospital where he was released five days later after extensive tests for his mysterious arm ailment.
Ok, so how is that the Astro's fault? Doc said he was good to go. Was it the Astros' doctor?Bregxit said:agracer said:
Not trying to absolve the Astro's of any blam here, but did the Astros forbid him from going to the doctor? Could he not just go himself?
I get that as a player you rely on the health/medical staff of the organization you work for, but at some point you've got to say, something's wrong and go get some help.
He did go to the doctor several days before his stroke and they found the blood clots along with collateral circulation developing due to the blockage. Docs said he was good to go for shorter outings under supervision while the collateral circulation developed.
I didn't think you wrote it; and the reaction of the Astros organization seems to have been an important issue. But thanks for the gold star, chief.Seabreeze said:
I didn't write it, but good work pointing out probably the most meaningful thing of the article. Gold star
Good ol TexAgs. A thread paying tribute to a Houston athlete icon that's passed turns into nitpicking and *****ing.
This is why I TexAgs!
This is why I TexAgs!
Seabreeze said:
I didn't write it, but good work pointing out probably the most meaningful thing of the article. Gold star
It also has the word "thrice" in it! Which I cannot help but read in the voice of Chris Farley's motivational speaker character Matt Foley when he introduces himself as "I am thrice divorced!".
I was commenting on the commentary Seebreeze posted above.Bregxit said:Did I say it was their fault? You asked if he was forbidden from going to the doctor. I was pointing out he did go to the doctor.agracer said:Ok, so how is that the Astro's fault? Doc said he was good to go. Was it the Astros' doctor?Bregxit said:agracer said:
Not trying to absolve the Astro's of any blam here, but did the Astros forbid him from going to the doctor? Could he not just go himself?
I get that as a player you rely on the health/medical staff of the organization you work for, but at some point you've got to say, something's wrong and go get some help.
He did go to the doctor several days before his stroke and they found the blood clots along with collateral circulation developing due to the blockage. Docs said he was good to go for shorter outings under supervision while the collateral circulation developed.
RIP
Many fond memories of his Astro days, RIP
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