The-then racist Astros management thought Richard's pre-stroke symptoms were his "jaking it," as was said in those days about (especially black and Latino) malingerers . After his career ended and another stroke,loss of his money and homelessness struck J.R, his former teammate Bob Watson and BAT (Baseball Assistance Team) helped Richard back on his feet ,after which he became a minister who helped countless Houston inner-city kids into baseball and non-sports careers.
The 6'8",240-lb. J.R. Richard of the seventies was the most scary hurler of the era with his height and 100 mph heater . On Sept. 6,1971 ,Richard,then 21,fanned 15 Giants to tie Dodgers' Karl Spooner's MLB debutant strikeout record . We're talking likely HOFer sans stroke .RIP,big boy !!!!!
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