REMEMBERING J.R. RICHARD
Astros pitching legend J.R. Richard passes away
Aug 5, 2021, 4:03 pm
Richard throws out the first pitch before the Astros played the Reds on June 1, 2012. Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images
Iconic Houston Astros pitcher J.R. Richard, who played all 10 seasons of his MLB career in Houston, has died, the team announced on Thursday, August 5.
The right-handed pitcher, who began his major league playing career in 1971, is the latest passing involving a member of the team's Hall of Fame.
"J.R. will forever be remembered as an intimidating figure on the mound and as one of the greatest pitchers in club history. He stood shoulder to shoulder with club icons Larry Dierker, Joe Niekro and Nolan Ryan, to form a few of the best rotations in club history," the Astros said in a statement.
The Astros also mentioned his abrupt retirement in 1980 after he suffered a stroke in the middle of that season.
Astros Hall of Fame starting pitcher J.R. Richard, one of the greatest players to don an Astros uniform, has passed away. He was 71 years old. pic.twitter.com/ylqq2nPQMi
— Houston Astros (@astros) August 5, 2021
The team, which is slated to induct its next class of the Astros Hall of Fame this coming weekend, said it will hold a moment of silence before Thursday night's game at Minute Maid Park.
Richard's career will also be recognized as part of the hall of fame induction ceremony prior to Saturday's game.
Richard was 71 years old.
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Green, who hit six 3-pointers, continued his recent scoring surge. He is averaging 32 points in Houston's last six games, including a career-best 42 points against Memphis on Monday.
Fred VanVleet added 16 points, eight assists and three steals for the Rockets, who beat Denver for the fifth time in six meetings.
The Nuggets were without two of their five leading scorers in reigning league MVP Nikola Jokic (right elbow inflammation) and Aaron Gordon (right calf injury).
Jamal Murray and Christian Braun each scored 22 point for Denver, which had 18 turnovers in the loss, including five apiece from its starting backcourt of Murray and Russell Westbrook.
Takeaways
Rockets: Houston won its fifth in a row and improved to 10-3 in its last 13 games to solidify its standing as the No. 2 team in the Western Conference.
Nuggets: Denver, which had won eight of its previous 10 games, absorbed its most lopsided defeat since a 145-118 loss to the New York Knicks on Nov. 25.
Key moment
Houston opened the second quarter on an 8-2 run that was capped off by a corner 3 by former Nugget Jeff Green that stretched the Rockets' lead to 11 points. Houston outscored Denver 41-25 in the period to take a 69-48 lead into halftime.
Key stat
The loss was Denver’s eighth in 20 home games this season, matching the Nuggets’ home loss total across 41 regular-season games in 2023-24.
Up next
Houston continues its three-game road swing Thursday at Sacramento. The Nuggets are back in action Friday at the Miami Heat.