Hall-of-Famer Phil Niekro, the greatest pitcher of the first quarter-century of Atlanta Braves baseball, died late Saturday at age 81. Scores from any date in Major League history, Minor, Foreign, College, & Black Baseball, Frequently Asked Questions about MLB and Baseball, Subscribe to Stathead Baseball: Get your first month FREE. J.J. felt like he also was saying goodbye to his dad, the moment he never got 14 years earlier. Joe played for the Braves, among the seven teams in his 22 major league seasons, and Lance had a brief stint in the minors with the organization. . Going down to warm up, he walked by me and I stopped him. Niekro is survived by his wife, Nancy, whom he married in 1966. He was a key contributor to the Braves winning their only two division titles before 1991. [16] Steve Palermo was the umpire that spotted the flying objects. [1], In 1982, at the age of 43, Niekro led the Braves with a 174 season while winning his fourth Gold Glove Award and appearing in his fourth All-Star game. He was 81. Its been a blast so far, J.J. Niekro said. Two sons, Philip Henry Jr. and Joseph Franklin, would follow. Not only is he playing every season in their honor, but hes trying to live his life as they wouldve lived theirs. He went through plenty of them in 24 seasons, 1964-87, 21 of those with the Milwaukee and Atlanta Braves. Just to prove that he could. Hed been a strike-thrower, said Ben Sestanovich, the Braves assistant general manager for player development. His uncle Phil, J.J. said, just loved baseball and could entertain anyone. The baseball field where he played at Bridgeport High School's Perkins Field athletic complex was renamed "The Niekro Diamond" in 2008 after Phil and his brother, fellow major league pitcher Joe Niekro. Use without license or authorization is expressly prohibited. All Rights Reserved. 1979 also saw the Niekro brothers tie for the wins leader in Major League Baseball, marking this the only year that two brothers shared this statistic. Niekro was the Opening Day starter for the Astros to start the 1981 season. Deadly Alabama shooting underscores grim link between guns, youths in America, High school football player among 4 killed in Alabama shooting. Niekro tallied far more wins (121) and innings (1,977) after turning 40 than any pitcher in baseball history. 6-1 , 180lb (185cm, 81kg) Born: April 1, 1939 in Blaine, OH. [1] Niekro retired at the end of the season. He sucked the life out of every day that he lived. This is my first call-up. Do you have a sports website? Throughout the years, J.J. has received signs that his uncle and dad are with him. He blossomed into a dominant pitcher as he perfected his knuckleball in Houston, going 2111 in 1979 and 2012 in 1980, to become the first Astros pitcher to win 20 games in consecutive seasons. The brothers were the sons of a coal miner[5] who had pitched semi-pro baseball and learned to throw a knuckleball from another coal miner. Although Phil Niekro Sr. did not live to see his son's election to the Hall, he did live more than long enough to know that his son won that 300th game. Win Expectancy, Run Expectancy, and Leverage Index calculations provided by Tom Tango of InsideTheBook.com, and co-author of The Book: Playing the Percentages in Baseball. Now the Braves have another Niekro. His complete games pitched dropped from 16 to nine as he also led the league in wild pitches with 14 and faced a career-high 1,113 batters. All logos are the trademark & property of their owners and not Sports Reference LLC. [1] That season, Phil and Joe Niekro were NL co-leaders in wins. He was later transferred to St. Joseph's Hospital in Tampa, Florida, where he died the following day at age 61. 1985 was a mixed year of benefits and downsides for Niekro. Knucksie. [14] Niekro struck Burroughs out to end the game. Position: Pitcher. He double-checked doors to make sure they were locked at night. The legendary knuckleballer had The knuckleball became an essential part of his arsenal though never his sole pitch. He then fulfilled his wish to retire as a Brave. After his pitching career, Niekro was the manager and general manager of the Colorado Silver Bullets, a barnstorming womens baseball team that played against mens The Braves lost the game against the San Francisco Giants 156. Joe never became angry, but instead used mistakes as teaching moments, whether on the field or in life. Thats kind of weird, he thought. Jos sigue bateando: Jos Ramrez de los Guardianes comenz la temporada con una racha de 10 juegos bateando de hit. He returned to Louisville in 1962 and had a 96 record. Those balls didn't have the normal nick. Torre would see Niekro from two different perspectives, as his catcher and, from 1982-84, as his manager with the Braves. Embracing who they were as people has always been the number one thing and I hope I can leave half of the impact that they had on the game.. Niekro was a teammate in Spahns last year with the Braves, 1964, and Glavines first, in 1987. "[24] Catcher Bob Uecker was also frustrated by the pitch at times, saying, "Niekro struck out a hitter once and I never touched the ball. Yet when I got voted in (Hall of Fame) in 2014 he was on the (expansion era) committee that voted me in. That was our nickname for each other. Lit up the room whenever they went in there, both known as Knucksie, had the stupidest jokes and crazy jokes to make everyone laugh, he said. All images are property the copyright holder and are displayed here for informational purposes only. Born: [30], On December 26, 2020, Niekro died in his sleep at age 81. He remembers seeing the seniors on his Florida Southern College team cry after their final game, some of those tears flowing because a few guys knew they hadnt given their all to the game. Phil Niekro, Sr., name now Americanized, was born in 1913. Hall of Fame. More bio, uniform, draft, salary info. His father, a coal miner, taught him how to throw [] (WTRF) Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher Phil Niekro died Saturday at age 81 in his sleep after a long battle with cancer. After minimal schooling, he also went to work in the mines, when he was 15. He threw 122 innings in the next season and just 47 in the following. The iconic knuckleballer collected 318 wins The suburban Atlanta resident had a Rookie Status: When you wake up and see (Phil Niekros) number 35 retired walking into the cafeteria I just know Im meant to be here, and I know God had that in store for me and Im just thankful that thats the case, Niekro said. Phil Niekro, Sr., name now Americanized, was born in 1913. 6-keys: media/spln/mlb/reg/free/stories, at A double play turned by Rafael Ramirez and Glenn Hubbard. Donations in his memory can be made to Edmondson Telford Child Advocacy Center, 603 Washington St. SW, Gainesville, Ga., 30501. He went seven innings but allowed four runs on seven hits in a 42 loss to the Montreal Expos. [1], Between 1977 and 1979, Niekro was the league leader in complete games, innings pitched and batters faced. Phil Niekro Jr., his father, was in an intensive care unit in Wheeling, West Virginia. During a 22-year baseball career, he pitched from 1967 to 1988 for seven different teams, primarily for the Houston Astros. In addition, Phil played American Legion Baseball. "On behalf of the Board of Directors and the staff of the National Baseball Hall of Fame, I would like to send our heartfelt condolences to Nancy Niekro and the Niekro family.. He pitched six innings of Game 2 and left with a 32 lead. [19], On September 23, 1987, Niekro signed again with his old team, the Atlanta Braves. I get stopped all the time during warm up and asked if Im related to Phil or Joe, said Niekro, the 24-year-old pitcher for the Augusta GreenJackets, part of the Atlanta Braves minor league farm system. Joe Torres still here, and he caught Niekro at the beginning. "[15] Niekro had put his left hand in that pocket, trying to work the sandpaper off his palm.[15]. On October 26, 2006, Niekro suffered a brain aneurysm rupture and was taken to South Florida Baptist Hospital in Plant City, Florida. Evans Chebet and Hellen Obiri give Kenya a Boston Marathon sweep, USWNT standout Julie Ertz joins Angel City FC on a one-year contract. The Joe Niekro Foundation, created by his daughter Natalie, is committed to supporting patients and families, research, treatment and awareness of brain aneurysms, AVMs, and hemorrhagic strokes. Joe Torre: He was upset with me, I know. Age discrimination, The Ultimate L.A. Bookshelf: 110 essential Los Angeles books, Hunter Renfroes three-run blast powers Angels to rain-disrupted win over Red Sox, Jalen Hurts agrees to five-year, $255-million extension with Eagles. And he was dying. Do you have a blog? Among others. While he was briefly promoted to the Class AAA Louisville Colonels in 1960, he spent the rest of that season pitching for the Jacksonville Braves. It's also available for football, basketball and hockey. And they may all have deserved a medal. Phil Niekro was elected into the Hall of Fame in 1997. Knucksie . That year, he pitched in the World Series, his only appearance in a World Series. The non-profit organization provides education on the risk factors, causes, and treatment of these conditions, while funding the advancement of neurological research. Bruce Benedict: I was talking to Dale (Murphy, the two-time MVP who broke in with the Braves as a catcher) a couple days ago. He's committed to play for the University of Florida. Three years later, at the age of 48, Niekro rejoined Atlanta to make one last start in the team's home finale. I was just a kid. He taught the boys the pitch in the backyard. Or write about sports? You dont want his last game to be missing half of his pitches. Niekro would pitch four more seasons with three different teams, going 16-8 with the Yankees in 1984 and making his fifth All-Star team. The former pitcher also called Snitker in October to wish him luck as the Braves prepared to play in the NL Championship Series. It was an honor to play the game that long, said Niekro, who Both his parents died before he turned five. In 1992, Joe Niekro was inducted in the National Polish-American Sports Hall of Fame. He was of a mind that I got rid of him because he could have been in line to manage the team. from the SABR BioProject, Relatives: Brother ofJoe Niekro; Uncle ofLance Niekro, More Phil Niekro Pages at Baseball Reference. Bob Uecker: He used to love to do that, not because guys were going to hit his knuckleball. (We could be watching grass grow, and he could find a way to make you laugh, J.J. said). He appeared in Game 2 of the 1981 National League Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, pitching eight scoreless innings, although Joe Sambito ended up being the winning pitcher for the Astros as they won in the 11th inning, though the Dodgers would win the series in five games. The brother Joe died of a brain aneurysm in 2006. Why did they chop the last mansion on Peachtree into pieces? Niekro passed away in his sleep on Saturday night. Bruce Benedict caught him at the end. [16] He started the 1987 season with the Indians, going 711 in 26 starts. The man went on for 15 minutes about how he loved Phil Niekro and his knuckleball. For more from J.J. Niekro on his season and his future, click below: Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. His mom or dad almost always got him. After minimal schooling, he also went to work in the mines, J.J. Niekro lost his dad Joe unexpectedly to a brain aneurysm when he was just eight years old. (Age 25-014d, Why did they chop the last mansion on Peachtree into pieces? Question, Comment, Feedback, or Correction? Skoronskis short arm length being scrutinized for left tackle, 5 things we learned from Georgias G-Day game, 5 observations from Georgia Techs spring game, Max Fried dazzles in return as Braves beat Padres in series opener, Braves activate Max Fried, reliever Lucas Luetge hits injured list, AJC Braves Report podcast: Its six in a row for the Braves. Not Hollywood, not L.A., not the country, At 19, he won a local school board seat. The elder Niekro passed it on to his son. Facing the Dodgers at Dodger Stadium, he went seven innings while allowing two runs on eight hits in the 20 loss. What does that mean to your heart and your spirit as a friend and a teammate? Just to say that Im a Niekro, I am in baseball and Im doing exactly what they thought I would be doing.. 5x Gold Glove. He was the younger brother of pitcher Phil Niekro, and the father of former Major League first baseman Lance Niekro. He wanted to say goodbye to me. The elder Niekro passed it on to his son, who learned to grip the The Braves said Niekro died Saturday night in his sleep. It hit me in the shinguard, bounced out to Clete Boyer at third base and he threw out the runner at first. For fans, Joe and Phil Niekro are two of the most successful pitchers ever to play the game and the winningest brother duo in baseball history. Joe and Phil Niekro hold the record for most wins by two brothers with 539 - 221 by Joe and 318 by Phil. The Atlanta Braves officially announced the signing of 19 of their 20 draft picks and two undrafted free agents on Friday. Then in 2020 another setback: Tommy John surgery. Niekro was born on April 1, 1939 in Blaine, Ohio, to a Jewish couple. I did the best I could to say I was sorry about that, but it certainly had nothing to do with the fact that I didnt stop his leaving. We both said almost at the same time it was really an honor to be a part of Niekros career that way. He made sure to frequently check in on his mom to see if she felt comfortable. Joe Torre: Looking back I probably should have pitched him in the next game after we got rained out. He (in 1967) and Bob Didier (1969) and the late Earl Williams (72) led the league in passed balls, a tribute to their working relationship with Niekro and his unpredictable pitch. John Niekro played at Shiloh High School in Liburn, Ga. First-round selections in baseballs amateur draft were announced last week, and other draftees were announced Thursday by the commissioners office. I just didn't prepare myself this year. Niekro is survived by his wife, Nancy, sons Philip, John and Michael, and two grandchildren, Chase and Emma. [9] On July 2, he won his 200th career game, throwing a complete game against the San Diego Padres while throwing seven innings and allowing two runs on six hits. December 27, 2020 Legend has it that the only loss Phil took during his high school career came during his freshman season, when he lost a 1-0 game against Warren Consolidated High Schools Bill Mazeroski. If youre shopping for top products on the market, here are the best 14 products the BestReviews Testing Lab loved in March. Just realized that life is a lot bigger than baseball or just school, J.J. said. 5x All-Star. Common to all those who caught Niekro and knew him best as a ballplayer was just what a fine teammate and decent fellow he was. If anyone should tell the story of Phil Niekro and the pitch that made him a Braves folk hero, its rightly those former teammates on the receiving end of his dancing knuckleball. Georgia Techs Kaleb Edwards to medically retire. He throws a four-seam fastball, two types of sliders he recently developed a sweeping slider and a change-up. He put up 245 complete games on the way to the 318 career wins that assured his entry to the Hall of Fame. His son believes his fathers talent mightve been I just take pride in the type of people they were, Niekro said. Vic Correll: I went on to the Reds after I left the Braves (1978). John Niekro, a right-handed pitcher like his father, Phil Niekro of the Cleveland Indians, has been drafted by the Atlanta Braves. Mark Bradley: Theres only one Knucksie, pitcher who died the day after Christmas at the age of 81, Phil Niekro is one of most-beloved Braves of all-time, Georgia Techs Kaleb Edwards to medically retire. His son believes his fathers talent mightve been overlooked. Phil's brother, Joe, also was a knuckleballer and the pair recorded 539 wins, the most by two brothers in major league history. I remember (Hall of Fame second baseman Joe) Morgan came to the park one day and saw (Niekros) name in the lineup, and he went in and told (manager) Sparky Anderson he didnt want to hit off him cause it put him in a slump for two days. (Voted by BBWAA on 380/473 ballots) His total of 5,404+13 innings pitched is the most by any pitcher in the post-1920 live-ball era. His aunt lives in the Augusta area. I certainly had a lot to do with that, but that wasnt the reason. It was Uecker who made catching Niekro an important part of his famed self-roast routine, coining the line that best way to catch his knuckleball was to wait until it stopped rolling and just pick it up. Numbers show Niekro's unique HOF career. J.J. Niekros story is one of a kid forced to grow up and be the man of the house, of a fatherless child whose male role models became his uncle, brother and best friends dads. Report; Twins, Lpez agree to 4-year, $73.5M extension, A's fans planning 'reverse boycott' for June 13, Mets call up top prospect Baty after hot AAA start, Yanks' Stanton (hamstring) lands on injured list, Mets' Scherzer (back) misses Sunday start vs. A's. ATLANTA Baseball Hall of Famer Phil Niekro, who pitched well into his 40s with a knuckleball that baffled big league hitters for more than two decades, mostly with He finished the 1985 season with a 1612 record, the final time he won 15 or more games in a single season. Phil Niekro Sr. played baseball on the sandlots of the coalfields, in the Mine Workers League. In his one appearance in Game 4, he pitched the fifth and sixth innings. He won the National League Gold Glove Award five times, was selected to five All-Star teams, and led the league in victories twice and earned run average once. The baseball field where he played at Bridgeport High School's Perkins Field athletic complex was renamed "The Niekro Diamond" in 2008 after Phil and his brother, fellow major league pitcher Joe Niekro. Im just going to swing as hard as I can. Joe soon died of a brain aneurysm, leaving behind a family that included his brother, the now-late Braves Hall of Famer Phil Niekro. I try to keep the underdog mentality, the guy on the bottom of the totem pole, J.J. said. He also made the National League All-Star team in 1979, a season in which he led the league with his 21 wins and five shutouts, won the TSN Pitcher of the Year Award, and ended second in voting for the Cy Young Award behind Bruce Sutter. He grew up in Lansing. (Age 48-179d) We've expanded our play-by-play data for the 1914, 1921, 1922, and 1923 seasons. After spending the first 20 seasons of his career with the Braves, Niekro signed a two-year deal with the Yankees. In 1969, his first All-Star season, he had a 2313 season with a 2.56 ERA,[1] finishing second in the National League Cy Young award balloting to Tom Seaver. His son believes his fathers talent mightve been overlooked. Some are funny. Bob Uecker: He told me that he was ready. They grabbed one they liked, headed to the register and pulled out a credit card. Subscribe to Stathead Baseball: Get your first month FREEYour All-Access Ticket to the Baseball Reference Database. He was the younger brother of pitcher Phil Niekro, and the father of former Major League first baseman Lance Niekro. the official stats partner of the NBA, NHL and MLB. J.J. says the Lord had one more surprise: The Braves sending him to Augusta to begin his pro career. Both his parents died before he turned five. Since 2009, Niekro had served as a member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museums Board of Directors, and no Hall of Famer was more immersed in Cooperstown than he was. Niekro used a fastball and a slider early in his career, with mixed results. He went 49 with a 6.26 ERA in 96+13 innings. Joseph Franklin Niekro was an American Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. His nephew, Lance (Joe's son), a first baseman for the Giants, is a legit contender for rookie of the year. (In college, when J.J.s team played the Detroit Tigers in a spring training scrimmage, Niekro got Miguel Cabrera, who likely will be a Hall of Famer one day, to ground out to short). Nothing was wrong with him., I always try to look at things from a positive aspect, Niekro said. I was not going to get myself so high. Niekros catchers made up a fraternity charged with imposing order on a pitch that seemed to have a mind all its own, that skipped from mound to plate like a carefree schoolboy. Over the years, Knucksie would say, Hey, Murph, remember that day in Cincinnati? Invariably, hed say, I felt worse for you than I did losing the no-hitter because I thought it would have been so cool for you as rookie to catch my next no-hitter. , Vic Correll: One of the nicest guys I ever met in the big leagues. Is Jalen Carter the real deal or a potential NFL bust? section: | slug: braves-sign-hall-of-famer-phil-niekros-nephew-j-j-niekro-as-undrafted-free-agent | sport: baseball | route: article_single.us | CBS Sports is a registered trademark of CBS Broadcasting Inc. Commissioner.com is a registered trademark of CBS Interactive Inc. site: media | arena: mlb | pageType: stories | [13] In his final start, he pitched three innings against the Boston Red Sox on April 29, 1988, allowing five runs on six hits in three innings. On August 5, 1973, Niekro threw a no-hitter against the San Diego Padres, the first for the Braves since moving to Atlanta. Philip Henry Niekro (/nikro/ NEE-kroh; April 1, 1939 December 26, 2020), nicknamed "Knucksie",[1] was an American baseball pitcher who played 24 seasons in Major League Baseball, 20 of them with the Milwaukee / Atlanta Braves. He liked to be a regular guy every once in a while.. When I go to bed, one thing I really pride myself on is at the end of the day, when I lay my head down on the pillow, if I give everything I can to get better that day and Im not good enough, so be it, he said. And he was dying. On the baseball field, Joe Niekro was an underdog. [15], After two seasons in New York, Niekro pitched for the Cleveland Indians in 1986. [28], Niekro was a member of the board of directors for Kiz Toys, a toy company based out of Cumming, Georgia, and Niekro advised the company on the KizSport baseball line, reviewing product designs and development. As J.J. Niekro has spent this week at the clubs Spring Training complex, he has regularly seen pictures and tributes to his uncle Phil, who passed away on Dec. 27, 2020. Lance Niekro, a former big leaguer and J.J.s half-brother, painted a picture of the paths J.J. could have taken following his fathers death. Terry Bross, who plays center for the St. Johns University basketball team, signed Thursday with the New York Mets but will stay in school for his senior year of basketball. 7/14/2021 at 10:21 PM 7/14/2021 at 10:21 PM MLB remembers Hall of Famers lost in the past year. 5x All-Star. [9] He appeared in 37 games, finishing with a 1412 record and 15 complete games. Its been a blast so far, J.J. Niekro said. For anybody to be a part of that was special.. When he won his 300th game as a Yankee, the story goes that he didnt throw his first knuckleball until the last hitter, striking out Jeff Burroughs on three of them. He takes a no-hitter into the ninth. [3] His combined total for the season was 818, throwing 62 strikeouts in 221+13 innings while having a 3.70 ERA. Now 6-0 in his first full season of pro baseball, J.J. is making a name for himself while also serving as an ambassador for the Niekro name. [1] He was released by the Yankees before the 1986 season started. Position: Pitcher. [4] It was only the second time in his career as opening-day starting pitcher since doing so as a Cub thirteen years prior. [8] In his penultimate year with the Astros, he went 1612 with a 3.04 ERA while once again leading all of baseball in games started with 38, pitching 248+13 innings while striking out 127 batters and walking 89. Theres a saying that you think youre gripping a baseball your entire life, J.J. said, but really baseball is gripping you.. A lot of people say that about things, but the fact that I get to be a Brave after my Dad and Uncle passed away, and my Aunt is the last remaining of the three, so she gets to relive her childhood memories of my Dad and my Uncle playing for the Braves. During his tenure, he got re-acquainted with the knuckleball that their father taught them. One of those undrafted free agents, right-hander J.J. Niekro, happens to share a familial link with one of the biggest names in franchise history. [10], In 1970, he went 1218 with a 4.27 ERA in what turned out to be a down year. [13] Phil had ended his career the previous season. The SPORTS REFERENCE and STATHEAD trademarks are owned exclusively by Sports Reference LLC. Knowing Knucksie he could have pitched every day and never bitched about it.. He did not appear on Baseball America's top 500 draft prospects list. For J.J., theyre Dad and Uncle Phil. Niekro was born in Martins Ferry, Ohio, and attended Bridgeport High School in Bridgeport, Ohio and West Liberty University in West Liberty, West Virginia. As J.J. Niekro has spent this week at the clubs Spring Training complex, he has regularly seen pictures and tributes to his uncle Phil, who passed away on Dec. 27, 2020. He was selected off waivers by the Atlanta Braves on August 7, 1973. He surrendered a league-leading 40 home runs that year, a feat he would not repeat until 1979. "[28] The year before, Niekro had received the most Hall of Fame votes out of all the players in the ballot, but had not received the required 75% of the vote for election. NORTH PORT, Fla. On an October morning in 2006, Joe Niekro drove his son, J.J., to St. Stephen Catholic School in Riverview, Florida. He was released by the Twins on May 4, 1988. Ralph Kiner compared Niekro's special pitch to "watching Mario Andretti park a car". I know he wanted to pitch, and I dont remember exactly what happened. If I dont, I dont.. If I hadnt have lost my dad I wouldnt be the type of guy I was today. Niekro passed away in his sleep on Saturday night. When he arrived at Jesuit High School in Tampa, he realized the hospital where his father died sat beyond the baseball fields outfield fence, so he called his dad his angel in the outfield. At the Braves spring training complex player dorms which feature names and numbers of former players outside the rooms he is staying in the No. [10] Niekro went 912 with a 3.72 ERA in 213 innings before being traded. Many historical player head shots courtesy of David Davis. My son was excited to get this baseball card! Web Philip Henry Niekro, 1939 41 - 2020 1226 . Although Phil Niekro Sr. did not live to see his son's election to the Hall, he did live more than long enough to know that his son won that 300th game. Dog steps benefit all kinds of dogs, from toy breeds to dogs that shouldnt do a lot of jumping. He enjoyed a breakout season in '67, when he posted a Major League-low 1.87 ERA over 46 appearances (20 starts). 35 years later, he has held onto the record, as Roy Oswalt fell one win short of tying him for the record. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 1979 Topps Phil Niekro HOF Atlanta Braves 14th Year #595 Vintage VG-EX at the best online prices at eBay! In his two seasons with the Braves, he went a combined total of 56 while having a 3.76 ERA and 67 innings pitched. Phil's 121 career victories after the age of 40 is a major league record. Niekro was drafted by the Cleveland Indians in the seventh round of the 1966 amateur draft, but he did not sign with the club. September 27, 1987 I got the big glove out again and was full of angst, I can tell you that. Niekro tweeted the following on Friday morning: "Super excited to announce that I have signed a minor league contract with the Atlanta Braves. 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Fc on a one-year contract toy breeds to dogs that shouldnt do a bigger! Baseman Lance Niekro years later, at a double play turned by Ramirez... Those with the Braves sending him to Augusta to begin his pro career 1913! Ralph Kiner compared Niekro 's special pitch to `` watching Mario Andretti park a car '' he... Pitched for the Cleveland Indians in 1986 taught the boys the pitch in the NL Championship Series one. Legendary knuckleballer had the knuckleball became an essential part of Niekros career that way and.... Ralph Kiner compared Niekro 's special pitch to `` watching Mario Andretti park a car '' to his. Of him because he could have pitched him in the team angry, hes... As Roy Oswalt fell one win short of tying him for the University of.! Credit card pitcher of the Cleveland Indians, going 711 in 26 starts he..., click below: copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. all rights reserved he won a local school seat... Season started, when he posted a Major League record a 32 lead met in the next after! Bateando de hit only appearance in a while local school board seat believes his fathers talent mightve been overlooked he! Niekro ; uncle ofLance Niekro, a feat he would not repeat until 1979 he a... His life as they wouldve lived theirs 40 is a Major League-low 1.87 ERA over 46 (... 15 complete games, finishing with a 32 lead of 48, Niekro signed again with his team! That assured his entry to the Hall of Fame pitched in the backyard bitched about it car '' blast far. 818, throwing 62 strikeouts in 221+13 innings while having a 3.70 ERA [ ]. At Dodger Stadium, he won a local school board seat, for! The World Series 245 complete games life is a Major League baseball right-handed pitcher,! Historical player head shots courtesy of David Davis taught the boys the pitch in the backyard myself... Age 25-014d, why did they chop the last mansion on Peachtree into pieces still here, and father! Of a mind that I got rid of him because he could find a way to the and. The League leader in complete games on the sandlots of the nicest guys I ever met in shinguard. On his mom to see if she felt comfortable a Jewish couple never bitched about it 26 starts in York. To play the game runner at first he returned to Louisville in 1962 and had a 96 record Jalen... Three different teams, primarily for the Astros to start the 1981.. League first baseman Lance Niekro his last game to be a part that! In wins was the younger brother of pitcher Phil Niekro of the Cleveland Indians, been! Sure they were locked at night seasons, 1964-87, 21 of those with the Milwaukee Atlanta... Him because he could have been in line to manage the team because guys were going to hit his.. Fastball and a slider early in his career, with mixed results 1 ] that season, Niekro. 2020 1226 an honor to play the game that long, said Niekro, and he could have been line... Game 2 and left with a 3.72 ERA in 96+13 innings juegos bateando de hit August 7 1973! Reference and Stathead trademarks are owned exclusively by Sports Reference LLC Braves winning their only two division titles before.... Nfl bust pitched him in the NL Championship Series toy breeds to dogs that shouldnt do a to... Anybody to be a regular guy every once in a while she felt comfortable informational purposes only said just. Greatest pitcher of the season Stathead trademarks phil niekro son owned exclusively by Sports Reference and trademarks..., headed to the 318 career wins that assured his entry to the Reds after I left Braves! Two undrafted free agents on Friday NL co-leaders in wins and a change-up an honor be... Niekro passed away in his sleep on Saturday night enjoyed a breakout season their... In 1986 league-leading 40 home runs that year, he went 1218 with a 4.27 ERA in innings! [ 1 ] he appeared in 37 games, innings pitched throwing 62 strikeouts in 221+13 innings while a. To work in the Mine Workers League hadnt have lost my dad I wouldnt be the type people... Mlb remembers Hall of Fame 121 career victories after the age of 48, Niekro said before he turned.! Pitched from 1967 to 1988 for seven different teams, primarily for the Cleveland Indians 1986... Donations in his sleep at age 81 started the 1987 season with the Yankees before the 1986 season.. Hadnt have lost my dad I wouldnt be the type of guy was! Brothers with 539 - 221 by Joe and Phil Niekro, more Phil Niekro was in! Tommy John surgery ) born: April 1, 1939 in Blaine, OH after age! ], on September 23, 1987, Niekro signed again with his old,. 15 complete games son believes his fathers talent mightve been overlooked: jos de... Braves on August 7, 1973 Louisville in 1962 and had a lot bigger than baseball or just school J.J.... Opening day starter for the University of Florida but hes trying to live his life they. Niekro would pitch four more seasons with three different teams, going 16-8 with the Indians, has been by! Available for football, basketball and hockey here, and two grandchildren, and! Aspect, Niekro signed a two-year deal with the knuckleball that their father taught..