The San Francisco Giants learned Tuesday that former General Manager H.B. "Spec" Richardson passed away today at his home in Columbus, GA due to natural causes.
Richardson, 93, served as the General Manager of the Houston Astros from 1967-75 and was later appointed General Manager of the Giants when the National League took over the club from Horace Stoneham. During his stint with the Giants from 1976-81, he was named MLB's Executive of the Year in 1978. Prior to that season he acquired Vida Blue from Oakland for seven players and cash, as the club went on to post an 89-73 record that season.