Former Astros, Giants GM Spec Richardson dies at 93

ATLANTA (AP) Former Houston Astros and San Francisco Giants general manager H.B. ''Spec'' Richardson died Tuesday at the age of 93.

The Muscogee County coroner's office confirmed Richardson died at his home in Columbus, Georgia due to natural causes.

Richardson was general manager of the Astros from 1967-75 and was the Giants' GM from 1976-80.

Richardson is remembered for several major trades. In 1971 he 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. Morgan, Billingham and Geronimo became key players on the Reds' championship teams.

The Astros released a statement saying they ''join many others in the baseball world in mourning the passing of Spec Richardson, who served as the Astros general manager from 1967-75. ... We send our deepest condolences to his family members and friends.''

While with the Giants in 1978, the year he was named MLB's executive of the year, he acquired pitcher Vida Blue from Oakland for seven players and cash.

''The passing of Spec Richardson brings great sadness to our organization,'' said Giants CEO Larry Baer. ''Spec left a lasting imprint not only on the Giants organization, but all of baseball. We express our deepest condolences to his family and will have them in our thoughts and prayers.''

Richardson began his career in 1946 with the Columbus Cardinals.

He returned to Columbus with his wife, Tommye, around 1990. The two had been married for 60 years when Tommye died in 2009.