Died: December 26, 2020(2020-12-26) (aged 81) Flowery Branch, Georgia, U.S.
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
MLB debut
April 15, 1964, for the Milwaukee Braves
Last MLB appearance
September 27, 1987, for the Atlanta Braves
MLB statistics
Win–loss record
318–274
Earned run average
3.35
Strikeouts
3,342
Teams
Milwaukee / Atlanta Braves (1964–1983)
New York Yankees (1984–1985)
Cleveland Indians (1986–1987)
Toronto Blue Jays (1987)
Atlanta Braves (1987)
Career highlights and awards
5× All-Star (1969, 1975, 1978, 1982, 1984)
5× Gold Glove Award (1978–1980, 1982, 1983)
Roberto Clemente Award (1980)
2× NL wins leader (1974, 1979)
MLB ERA leader (1967)
NL strikeout leader (1977)
Pitched a no-hitter on August 5, 1973
Atlanta Braves No. 35 retired
Braves Hall of Fame
Member of the National
Baseball Hall of Fame
Induction
1997
Vote
80.3% (fifth ballot)
Philip Henry Niekro (/ˈniːkroʊ/NEE-kroh; April 1, 1939 – December 26, 2020), nicknamed "Knucksie",[1] was an American baseball pitcher who played 24 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Milwaukee/Atlanta Braves, Cleveland Indians, New York Yankees and Toronto Blue Jays. Niekro is generally regarded as the greatest knuckleball pitcher of all time.[2][3][4]
During his career, Niekro was selected to five All-Star teams, led the National League in victories twice (in 1974 and 1979), led the major leagues in earned run average once (in 1967), and won the National League Gold Glove Award five times. As of 2023, Niekro ranks 16th on MLB's all-time wins list with 318 career victories;[5] as of 2023, he is the only knuckleballer to win 300 or more major league games.[3] Niekro and his younger brother Joe amassed 539 wins between them; as of 2013, the Niekros had the most combined wins by brothers in baseball history.[6] As of 2023, Niekro also holds the major league record with 121 career victories after the age of 40.[7]
Niekro was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1997.
^Cite error: The named reference BR was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^Kepner, Tyler (December 28, 2020). "Saying Goodbye to the Knuckleball, and Its Master". The New York Times.
^ abAdler, David (January 4, 2022). "Here are the best knuckleballers of all time". MLB.com.
^Sibor, Douglas (May 12, 2012). "MLB: Ranking the 10 Greatest Knuckleballers of All Time". Bleacher Report.
^"Career Leaders & Records for Wins". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 13, 2013.
^Mead, Doug (May 7, 2012). "25 Best Brother Pitching Acts in MLB History". Bleacher Report.
^Haft, Chris (April 1, 2022). "Knuckleball paved Phil Niekro's path to Hall". MLB.com.
Philip Henry Niekro (/ˈniːkroʊ/ NEE-kroh; April 1, 1939 – December 26, 2020), nicknamed "Knucksie", was an American baseball pitcher who played 24 seasons...
movement. There are other prominent knuckleball pitchers like Hall of Famer PhilNiekro, who had a very effective knuckler and knuckle curve, and Cy Young Award...
He is the son of MLB pitcher Joe Niekro and nephew of MLB pitcher PhilNiekro. Born in Winter Haven, Florida, Niekro graduated from George W. Jenkins...
after four days of rest. Hoyt Wilhelm pitched until he was almost 50 and PhilNiekro used the pitch until he was 48. Wakefield retired at 45. The prevalence...
Niekro is the surname of several people, most notably a family of American baseball players, all of whom have played in Major League Baseball: Phil Niekro...
include Gibson, Kaat, Mussina, Maddux, Steve Carlton, Jim Palmer, and PhilNiekro. Maddux made the most putouts in a season (39) three times in his career...
the award more than once. The first pitcher to receive the award was PhilNiekro in 1980, and the first catcher to receive it was Gary Carter in 1989...
(November 2, 2011). "Polanco's Gold Glove puts him in elite company". Phillies.MLB.com. Archived from the original on November 5, 2011. Retrieved November...
Braves pitcher to win the award, joining Mike Hampton, Greg Maddux, and PhilNiekro, and the first Braves player to win the award for a pitcher in 17 years...
traded to the New York Mets in 1972 and ending his career there in 1973 PhilNiekro: 20 seasons with the Milwaukee / Atlanta Braves before playing for three...
performances from key players like Dale Murphy, Bob Horner, Chris Chambliss, PhilNiekro, and Gene Garber. The Braves were swept in the NLCS in three games by...
career games. Nolan Ryan (773), Don Sutton (756), Greg Maddux (740), PhilNiekro (716), Steve Carlton (709), Roger Clemens (707), and Tommy John (700)...
Statistics and History". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved May 19, 2011. "PhilNiekro Statistics and History". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved May 19, 2011...
in 1987, then became the oldest player in baseball in 1988 following PhilNiekro's retirement. In 1989, he tied Deacon McGuire's record for most seasons...
season. Verlander struck out five batters in the game, tying him with PhilNiekro for 12th on the all-time strikeout list with 3,342. It was also the fourth...
Blyleven, PhilNiekro, Don Sutton, Bob Watson Historians: Jim Henneman, Steve Hirdt, Tom Simon, Mark Whicker Media members: Peter Morris, Phil Pepe, Claire...
at the plate that night by hitting a pair of doubles (to center off PhilNiekro in the fifth, to left off Rick Mahler in the sixth), driving in a run...
losses, and strikeouts of any active MLB pitcher. He was likened to PhilNiekro due to his long career and relatively old age upon retirement. On April...
represented—Hank Aaron, Bobby Cox, Tom Glavine, Chipper Jones, Dale Murphy, PhilNiekro, and John Smoltz—took part in the festivities. The ceremonial first pitch...
winning 3–0 on Ron Santo's three-run home run and outdueling the Braves' PhilNiekro. Holtzman had no strikeouts and three walks in the game. This was the...
streamed out of his mouth. Cox was accused of spitting on the umpire. PhilNiekro became the only pitcher in the history of the National League to lead...
Grove. Monument Grove featured statues of Braves legends Hank Aaron and PhilNiekro (as well as Georgia native Ty Cobb), the "Full Count" sculpture, a bust...
explanation is that he spent a good deal of the season catching knuckleballer PhilNiekro. He often joked that the best way to catch a knuckleball was to wait...
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