RIP, J.R. In 1979, I wanted a career in sports broadcasting and I interviewed him in the Astrodome clubhouse after a game. We talked for a good long time and our discussion eventually led to our shared faith in Jesus Christ as savior. Well after the game ended, I began to drive home when I stopped at the light leading onto South Main. I heard a car horn. I looked to my left and there was J.R. waving at me. This larger-than-life baseball star was waving at me!  I tried very hard not to be a "fan" of the players but I always privately rooted for J.R. from then on. It was devastating to hear he had died from COVID a few years ago.

When JR Richard and Nolan Ryan were teammates, JR Richard was the ace. He was the best pitcher in baseball at that time.

That stroke kicked his ass. JR was truly amazing. He was big, strong and overpowering. The MLB could have done more for that young man. They knew something was wrong and they ignored it. It was messed up all the way around. If they cared they would have taken care of JR.

Became an astros fan at 10 yrs old in 1980 because of JR 😊

When J.R. Richard harnessed his talent, he was as dominating as any pitcher I've seen. His hard slider was an incredible pitch that made good hitters look foolish. It was breathtaking and it's a shame -- on so many levels -- what happened to him.

Mets fan here. But as a 12year old then how could you not marvel at this man pitching. And I also loved those Astros uniforms. RIP JR.

As a Dodger fan, I recall that JR was as tough on the Dodgers as any pitcher ever. The Dodgers were predominantly right-handed (Garvey, Cey, etc.), so they were a perfect team for JR to dominate.
The career numbers vs. LA  -  15-4 - 1.86 ERA - 24 starts - 14 CG - 5 shutouts - 9.4 K/9

R.I.P James Rodney Richard! ⚾️

I saw him one hit the Giants at Candlestick, it must have been 1979 or 1980. The Giants hitters were overmatched and frankly looked scared to stand in there against him. As someone said, you just take your 0 for 4 and be glad you didn’t get hurt.

Damm this really hit me hard, cant hold back tears,  i remember him like it was yesterday throwing those freight train fastballs!! i was like 17 years old when i heard of this stroke. used to have a few of his baseball cards and i was so frustraded  and furious at the same time,  it was just not fair to him. Only God knows what kind of legendary career he could of had. For 3 years he pitched like a Legend!! last time i checked all legends regardless with long or short careers, they all are in the Hall of Fame!  and he should be in it!!!!

I was a pre-teen when I saw the morning sports highlights of one of his 300 strikeout seasons on either the Today Show or GMA. I also saw him pitch the All Star game. He was of mythical status. I remember following baseball and him being doubted, criticized and having his stroke. My childhood: JR Richard, Thurman Munson's death, the murder of Lyman Bostick and then the death of Len Bias. Later on of course, Reggie Lewis and Hank Gathers.

I didnt realize he had passed...
When he found his control in the late 70's he was scary!

So tragic.  He could have been a legend

J.R. "The Sickness"  Richard. Oh, how the Baseball History of 1980 and 1981 would probably be very different...along with the Baseball Hall of Fame.

I had season tickets that year, 8 rows above first base. The man was a legend in his time. 1-2-3 sit down. The Astros were 10 games in front at the all-star break taking 163 games to win the division.

I went to the Astrodome in 1979 and saw him pitch live. I was blown away, literally. He walked Lou Brock who also stole second base in that game. Wow

J.R. worked hard to overcome his bouts with wildness and once he could locate his pitches, became the best pitcher in baseball, which he was when hit by the stroke.  Gone were the days he would be sailing along then walk three, four, five batters straight and have to be removed.  He had incredible stuff and was as close as you can get to being unhittable.  

The Astros always seemed to have a knack for mishandling people, mishandling situations, and the way they mishandled J.R. Richard was abhorrent.  So sad and tragic.  Still pisses me off!

This is wonderful, thank you for posting. You wouldn't happen to have the network special from 2017 on the Swingin' A's, would you?

Hall of Fame - JRRi -  the Greatest Pitcher I ever saw!

Damn, this is tragic