Astros to recognize J.R. Richard’s career this weekend

NEW YORK - CIRCA 1978: J.R. Richard #50 of the Houston Astros pitches against the New York Mets during an Major League Baseball game circa 1978 at Shea Stadium in the Queens borough of New York City. J.R. Richard played for Astros from 1971-80. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)

J.R. Richard, all-time Houston Astros great, passes away at the age of 71.

The Houston Astros and their community were struck with the news of an all-time great hurler in J.R. Richard passing away at 71-years-old. On Thursday, Mark Berman reported that Richard had passed away at a hospital on Wednesday night.

Richard was one of the most dominant pitchers of the 1970s, as the right-hander played his 10-year…