J.R. Richard

J.R. Richard was one of the most imposing and electrifying pitchers of his era. In 10 seasons with Houston, he went 107-71 with a 3.15 ERA, 76 complete games, 19 shutouts and 1,493 strikeouts in 238 games (221 starts). Richard won the National League ERA title in 1979 with a 2.71 mark over 38 starts while also setting a single-season franchise record for strikeouts with 313. In 1978, he became the first pitcher in franchise history to lead the Majors in strikeouts in a single season (303), and to this day is the only pitcher in franchise history to lead the Majors in strikeouts in back-to-back seasons. Richard's 1,493 strikeouts are the third-most in club history, while his career 3.15 ERA is better than all but two pitchers in club history. Richard was named to the NL All-Star team in 1980 after going 10-4 with a 1.90 ERA in 17 starts, but suffered a career-ending stroke on July 30, 1980, which ultimately derailed a career that was on track for Cooperstown.