Houston Astros: Honoring J.R. Richard on his 68th birthday
The story of former Houston Astros MLB pitcher J.R. Richard will floor you, having a journey like no other. Happy birthday, King!
From 1975-1980, former Houston Astros hurler (James Rodney) J.R. Richard displayed some of the best pitching in MLB history. He struck out over 300 batters in an MLB season on two separate occasions, while winning 20 games in 1976, and 18 each season from 1977-1979.
1978 JR Richards, @astros , 1 Topps #470https://t.co/QsY4iqZXgD@deptulahasrage @AstrosFan86 @MLBONFOX #baseballcards #thehobby pic.twitter.com/GjHY94r70J
— Dead Sexy (@RCSportsCards) November 12, 2017
Collecting 107 wins in his ten-year career, to go with a 3.15 ERA and 1.24 WHIP, it’s crazy how his legacy’s flown under the radar — especially with his 6-foot eight-inch frame and 100 MPH blazing fastball. Somehow, he only made the American League All-Star game on one occasion, but he made the most of it, logging two scoreless innings in the 1980 MLB All-Star game.
After starting the All-Star game and on pace for his best MLB season, his arm fatigued after two starts — not even making it out of the sixth inning in both games. Come to find out; doctors found blockage arteries in his right shoulder — his throwing arm.
Morons within the Houston Astros organization and medical staff with J.R.R Richard recounting their racist words in an interview with ESPN. They thought he was making it up and that Richard needed to suck it up.
I would argue and say JR Richards was better than Ryan during that time. Had he not had his stroke, I would have been a World Series champ at 1 year old.
— 🏆 2X WS Champ Cockenheimer™️🏆 (@astros_dude) December 19, 2017
"“He black, it’s all in his head.”"
More from Call to the Pen
- Philadelphia Phillies, ready for a stretch run, bomb St. Louis Cardinals
- Philadelphia Phillies: The 4 players on the franchise’s Mount Rushmore
- Boston Red Sox fans should be upset over Mookie Betts’ comment
- Analyzing the Boston Red Sox trade for Dave Henderson and Spike Owen
- 2023 MLB postseason likely to have a strange look without Yankees, Red Sox, Cardinals
At age thirty in 1980, Richard suffered a stroke, after the neglect of the Houston Astros organization — after another blood clot, this time in his neck. People blamed his drug use for his medical ails, but Richard said it was minimal use.
In 1982, Richard attempted a comeback, but his velocity wasn’t quite the same, only making it to the Triple-A level, getting shelled. After winning over one million dollars in a settlement with the Houston Astros, you would think things would be looking up for the former All-Star.
“King Richard” as he was known, became broke and homeless by 1993, living on Beach Nut Street under Highway 59, just eight miles from his former place of employment at the Astrodome. Even though Richard fell from his throne, he didn’t let his lack of earthly possessions dictate his faith and his future.
"“The Lord giveth, the Lord taketh away.”"
Now, Richard preaches in his hometown of Houston and is a pitching instructor for young, aspiring ballplayers. He attributes his faith in God and the relentlessness of his friends for his turnaround.
Next: Three of the strangest enforced MLB rules
Happy birthday King Richard. In honor of your special day, I’ve been watching your career highlights in a loop. Maybe one day, you’ll receive the recognition you deserve — as one of the all-time MLB greats. The Houston Astros have many wrongs to right, and it should begin with induction into the team Hall of Fame.