Sad news.
https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/31965916/houston-astros-icon-jr-richard-career-was-cut-short-stroke-1980-dies-age-71
Richard led the NL in strikeouts in 1978 and 1979. And as great as Steve Carlton’s 1980 season was, Richard would’ve given him a run for the Cy Young Award had he finished the season (and the Astros almost certainly would’ve won the NL West, forcing the Phillies to contend with both Richard and Nolan Ryan in a 5-game series).
Richard fell on hard times after his playing days, becoming homeless for a time in the 1990s. But he got his life back together and eventually became a minister.
https://web.archive.org/web/20061123221149/http://www.sportingnews.com/archives/sports2000/players/172526.html
To be honest, I’m a little young to remember Richard’s career. I do remember my Dad being sad when it ended. Richard was probably the best player in my first Strat-O-Matic set, and I sought him out when I got MicroLeague a few years later. So to me, J.R. Richard is an exemplar of how statistics and stories can bring an old-time baseball player to life in ways that really aren’t possible in other sports.
RIP.
https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/31965916/houston-astros-icon-jr-richard-career-was-cut-short-stroke-1980-dies-age-71
Richard led the NL in strikeouts in 1978 and 1979. And as great as Steve Carlton’s 1980 season was, Richard would’ve given him a run for the Cy Young Award had he finished the season (and the Astros almost certainly would’ve won the NL West, forcing the Phillies to contend with both Richard and Nolan Ryan in a 5-game series).
Richard fell on hard times after his playing days, becoming homeless for a time in the 1990s. But he got his life back together and eventually became a minister.
https://web.archive.org/web/20061123221149/http://www.sportingnews.com/archives/sports2000/players/172526.html
To be honest, I’m a little young to remember Richard’s career. I do remember my Dad being sad when it ended. Richard was probably the best player in my first Strat-O-Matic set, and I sought him out when I got MicroLeague a few years later. So to me, J.R. Richard is an exemplar of how statistics and stories can bring an old-time baseball player to life in ways that really aren’t possible in other sports.
RIP.
Last edited: