Lee Richard

Lee Edward Richard
(Bee Bee)

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 5' 11", Weight 165 lb.
• School Southern University and A&M College
• High School Lafayette (LA) High School
• Debut April 7, 1971
• Final Game October 3, 1976
• Born September 18, 1948 in Lafayette, LA USA
• Died August 6, 2023 in Waco, TX USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Lee Richard was a fastball pitcher in high school and nicknamed "Bee Bee" by his teammates. In the majors, he played five seasons as an infielder-outfielder, mostly with the Chicago White Sox.

In the top of the 9th inning on September 7, 1974, he led off for the Chicago White Sox against the California Angels in Anaheim, CA. On the second pitch of his at-bat (he eventually walked), Angels pitcher Nolan Ryan threw a fastball "officially" clocked at 100.8 mph. At the time, it was believed to be the first time 100+ mph was captured on a radar gun.

Richard was a very fast baserunner who could neither hit nor field. The White Sox tried him at shortstop, second base and in the outfield. His fielding was so erratic that Sox announcer Harry Caray called him "The Juggler." Dick Williams said Richard might have been the fastest player of his time.