COVID-19 Claims Astros Pitching Legend J.R. Richard

Former big league pitcher J.R. Richard, who spent his entire professional career with the Houston Astros, passed away yesterday of complications of COVID-19. He was 71. 

A native of Louisiana, Richard was the second overall pick in the country in the 1969 MLB Draft behind future AL MVP Jeff Burroughs who was selected by the Washington Senators. Richard would make his big league debut as a September call up in 1971. 

Blessed with an overpowering fastball, Richard had trouble controlling it and would up and down between the majors and minors until 1975. Richard's breakout season came in 1976 when he won a career high 20 games. He would win 18 games in each of the next three seasons and lead the NL in strikeouts in both 1978 and 1979 earning him a fourth and third place finish in NL Cy Young balloting, respectively. 

Richard was perhaps on his way to his greatest season ever in 1980 when he was not only named to his first NL All-Star Team but was named the starting pitcher and would toss two scoreless innings. In 17 starts that season, Richard was 10-4 with a 1.90 ERA. But Richard had been troubled by a dead arm and feeling exhausted. However, Richard's concerns weren't taken seriously and he was accused of malingering. 

Just over three weeks after the All-Star Game, Richard collapsed on the field while throwing warm up. Richard suffered a massive stroke. Despite a valiant effort to return to the game, Richard never pitched in the majors again and the Astros would release him in 1984. Richard went 107-71 for a .601 career winning percentage along with a 3.15 ERA and 1493 career strikeouts. He was only 30 when his big league career abruptly ended. Richard is one of baseball's great "what ifs". Had his career not been cut short there's a good chance we're talking 3,000 strikeouts, a Cy Young Award or two and a plaque in Cooperstown. 

Instead, ten years later, Richard was homeless and living under a bridge in Houston. Fortunately, Richard found religion. This and his MLB pension helped him rebuild his life. Richard would later become an ordained minister. While Richard went through a great deal he managed to overcome and live a good life. I leave you with Richard's last great pitching performance at the 1980 MLB All-Star Game at Dodger Stadium. R.I.P.