'A sad day for the Houston Astros': Former pitcher dies at 71

On Thursday, Aug. 5, former Houston Astros pitcher J.R. Richard died at the age of 71.

Richard pitched for the Astros for 10 seasons before a stroke in 1980 ended his career early, according to ESPN News. His cause of death is still unknown at this time.

"RIP Astros legend J.R. Richard," Houston Astros pitcher Lance McCullers, Jr., wrote in an Aug. 5 Twitter post.

Richard reigned as a two-time National league strikeout champion with Houston and in his decade-long career with the Astros, he compiled a 107-71 record with a 3.15 ERA and 1,493 strikeouts.

"Today is a sad day for the Houston Astros as we mourn the loss of one of our franchise icons, J.R. Richard," the Houston Astros said in a statement, according to ESPN News. "J.R. will forever be remembered as an intimidating figure on the mound and as one of the greatest pitchers in club history. He stood shoulder-to-shoulder with club icons Larry Dierker, Joe Niekro and Nolan Ryan, to form a few of the best rotations in club history."

Richard possessed a 100-mph velocity that baffled opposing batters, according to Yahoo! Sports News.

Astors manager and former player Dusty Baker, recalled the frustration of trying to hit Richard's pitches.

"It was like J.R. was only throwing from about 50 feet," Baker said, according to ESPN News. "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."

Richard had a life following the end of his career. Two divorces and bad business investments ruined him financially causing him to end up homeless from 1994 into 1995, according to Yahoo! Sports News. With the help of a church, he turned his life around and became a minister.  

The Astros held a moment of silence in memoriam for Richards before their Aug. 5 game.