Former Houston star says bad investments left him homeless…

Jet, Feb 13, 1995

James Rodney (J.R.) Richard was an imposing figure on the pitcher's mound and was one of Major League Baseball's most dominate hurlers for the Houston Astros in the 1970s.

But a career-ending stroke in 1980, two failed marriages and bad investment ventures took their toll on the former National League All-Star. The man who earned an $850,000 salary at the height of his career, recently confided that he once lived under a freeway after losing his home.

Despite falling on rough times, Richard, 44, noted his faith in God and love of friends pulled him through.

"Being homeless means you're broke and you have no place to stay," Richard said in the Houston Post. "It doesn't mean you ever give up hope. I'm on the way back. God, I know I'll make it."

At 6-foot, 8-inches high and 240 pounds, Richard could blow away the best hitters with his 101 mph fast ball.

In 10 seasons of baseball, Richard had a record of 107-71, 1,493 strikeouts and a 3.15 earned run average (ERA) but his brilliant career was cut short when he collapsed on the mound from a stroke on July 30, 1980.

"If I hadn't gotten sick, I could have broken all of Nolan Ryan's records," he added.

After a lengthy recovery came two broken marriages and a string of bad investments. He lost $300,000 in what turned out to be a bogus oil venture in California. His divorce from his first wife, with whom he has five children cost him $699,000.

"I'm batting a flat .000 in my life with investments," Richard said.

Now Richard, who has a part-time job with as a solicitor for an asphalt company and says the owner helped him get a truck and an apartment, is more concerned with survival.

The Post reported that Richard had an interview with his former team and teammate Bob Watson, who is now general manager for the Houston Astros.

At JET deadline the results of that meeting were not known. But Watson said he wants to help Richard by offering him a job with the Astros, possibly as a spokesman working with youth groups, but first he wants Richard to show he's committed.