The Sommer Frieze

What could have been.

So I’m reading the paper, and I see this written by a columnist:

From 1976 through 1983, the Phillies missed the postseason just twice, yet were lucky to come out of that run with one World Series title. If not for a major Houston choke job in the NLCS, they never would have even had the chance to beat Kansas City for the championship.

Well, perhaps so. But every time I read or hear about 1980 (and remember, I live in Eastern PA), someone is ALWAYS forgotten about. See the photo above.

On July 30, 1980, James Rodney Richard suffered a stroke. He never pitched in the majors again. At 6′ 8″, Richard was overpowering and intimidating. At the time of the stroke, Richard was 10-4 with an ERA of 1.90. 119 K in 113 1/3 IP. ERA+ of 173. He gave up just 65 hits in those 113 1/3 IP. His WHIP was less than 1.00! He was selected to the All Star Game, played just three weeks beforehand. He was chosen the STARTING PITCHER for the game, went 2 IP, K’d 3. Gave up a hit and 2 walks. (Randolph, Reggie, Nettles and Dent started that game by the way).

He was at the top of his game. In 1979 he won 18 games and fanned 313. The year before, 18 wins and 303 Ks. Starting in 1976, he won 20, 18, 18, 18 and the 10. He was a horse. From 1975-1979, 203, 291, 267, 275 1/3, 292 1/3 IP. 14, 13, 16 and 19 complete games from 1976-1979. He was a bit wild, but seemed to get that under control in 1979 and 1980. He was only 30.

And then the stroke. Now I don’t know what would have happened in the 1980 NLCS. We do know that Nolan Ryan flushed a three-run lead in the top of the 8th of Game 5. At the time of his stroke, Richard was giving up 5.15 hits per 9 IP. After giving up 13 HR in 1979, he had given up just two in his 17 starts of 1980. His career ERA was 3.15.

Ken Forsch didn’t pitch badly in Game 1 of the 1980 NLCS, losing 3-1 against Carlton and McGraw. At that time, Carlton and McGraw were “on.” Vern Ruhle pitched seven shutout innings and the Astros had a 2-0 lead entering the 8th in Game 4. You can’t blame Forsch or Ruhle.

We don’t know what would have happened. What is unforgiveable is that Richard is completely forgotten about when that NLCS is recalled. That is unforgiveable and inexcusable.

I may have written before about how people forget about J.R. Today’s article by this writer only served to prove my point.