ATLANTA -- Former Giants and Houston Astros general manager H.B. "Spec" Richardson has died at the age of 93.
The Muscogee County coroner's office confirmed Richardson died at his home in Columbus, Georgia on Tuesday due to natural causes. Richardson was general manager of the Astros from 1967-75 and was the Giants' GM from 1976-80. While with the Giants in 1978, he was named MLB's executive of the year, partly for acquiring pitcher Vida Blue from Oakland for seven players and cash. In 1971, while with the Astros, Richardson traded Joe Morgan, Denis Menke, Jack Billingham and Cesar Geronimo to Cincinnati in exchange for a package of players that included first baseman Lee May.