End of the comeback for J.R. Richard

The inevitable end to a tragic story comes 40 years ago today as the Houston Astros release J.R. Richard, one of baseball's finest pitchers before suffering a stroke midway through the 1980 season.

Richard is 10-4 with a 1.90 ERA and in the midst of building a Hall of Fame resume when he suffers a stroke at the age of 30.

The 6-foot-8, 220-pound Richard sits out the ’81 season before trying to make a comeback, which lasts for 21 starts in the minors over the next two seasons.

The Astros worry over Richards’ vision, coordination and his inability to avoid line drives back to the mound before finally releasing him.

“He was one of the greatest pitchers we ever had and probably would have been in the Hall of Fame if his career was not cut short,” Astros teammate and third baseman Enos Cabell later tells ESPN.

“On the mound, he was devastating and intimidating,” Cabell says. “Nobody wanted to face him. Guys on the other team would say that they were sick to avoid facing him.” 

Richard later becomes a minister in the Houston area before passing away in August 2021 at the age of 71.

“It was like J.R. was only throwing from about 50 feet,” longtime Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder and major league manager Dusty Baker also tells ESPN after Richard’s death. “With his reach and he was all legs, you didn’t have much time to make up your mind. ... You didn’t really feel comfortable at the plate. He was the toughest guy I ever faced.”