It was announced today that J.R. Richard, the flamethrowing Pitcher best known for his time with the Houston Astros, died at the age of 71.

A ten-year veteran, Richard posted a lifetime record of 107-71 with 1,493 Strikeouts and a 3.13 ERA.  His best season was in 1979, when his 313 Strikeouts were then a team record.  He was one of the first players who threw for a recorded 100 mph.  

In 1980, his career was abruptly halted when he suffered a stroke in late July, only weeks after he started for the National League in the All-Star Game.

We here at Notinhalloffame.com would like to extend our condolences to the fans, friends and family of J.R. Richard. 

There was a time when the baseball world was transfixed on the flamethrowing ability of Astros hurler, J.R. Richard, and why not?  He threw faster than anybody else, he fanned piles of batters and he was a young black pitcher in a time when there were not that many.  Richard was only an All-Star once, but he is a two-time strikeouts champion, a two-time leader in FIP and finished in the top ten in Cy Young voting three times.