Flashback: The career of J.R. Richard
From SABR member Stacey Gotsulias at High Heat Stats on September 17, 2012:
Of course, when my dad saw J.R. Richard appear on the [TV] screen, he said, “I remember J.R. Richard! He threw a 98 m.p.h. slider!” I gasped at the thought of a 98 m.p.h. slider, wondered if my dad was actually remembering correctly and then laughed at him for being a diehard Yankee fan who remembered a guy who played for the Houston Astros from 1971-1980.
Turns out my dad was right. Richard was once clocked throwing a 98 m.p.h. slider. That’s just ludicrous.
Players like Hall of Famer Dave Winfield were talking about Richard and how afraid they were to face him. Winfield, who was on the Padres back then, mentioned how uncomfortable Richard would make players in the box.
Right after Richard’s segment ended, I decided to look him up and this is what I found.
Read the full article here: http://www.highheatstats.com/2012/09/flashback-j-r-richard/
Originally published: September 17, 2012. Last Updated: September 17, 2012.