Phil Niekro dies at 81

ATLANTA – Hall of Fame pitcher Phil Niekro died at the age of 81. Niekro passed away while sleeping on Saturday night. He had struggled with cancer in recent years. Niekro was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1997. The iconic knuckleballer scored 318 wins in one

ATLANTA – Hall of Fame launcher Phil Niekro died at age 81.

Niekro passed away while sleeping on Saturday night. He had struggled with cancer in recent years.

Niekro was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1997. The iconic knuckleballer achieved 318 victories in a 24-year career that included stints at the Braves, Indians, Yankees and Blue Jays. He went five-time All-Star, finishing in the top six in the National League Cy Young Award, voting five times between 1969 and 82.

“Phil Niekro was one of the most distinguished and memorable pitchers of his generation,” said Commissioner Rob Manfred. “In the past century, no pitcher has thrown more than 5,404 entries from Phil. His knuckleball led him to five All-Star teams, three 20-win seasons for the Atlanta Braves, the 300-win club and, finally, Cooperstown.

“But even more than his signature pitch and trademark durability, Phil will be remembered as one of the most brilliant people in our game. He has always represented his sport extraordinarily well and will be sorely missed. On behalf of the Major Baseball League, I express my condolences to Phil’s family, friends and the many fans he has won over his life in our National Pastime. “

Born on April 1, 1939, in Blaine, Ohio, Niekro learned knuckleball with the help of his father, who taught his two sons, Phil and Joe, the pitch between his shifts at the local coal mine. Joe had a career spanning 22 seasons as a 1967-88 Major League pitcher.

Phil Niekro made his major league debut for Braves on April 15, 1964. He had an outstanding season in 67, when he posted an ERA of 1.87 in 46 matches (20 matches). But he didn’t become a full-time pitcher until 68, when he was 29.

“Phil Niekro’s record on the pitch ranks him as one of the best pitchers in the game,” said Jane Forbes Clark, president of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. “As a mentor, leader and friend, Phil brought out the best in Cooperstown. For more than a decade serving as a member of the Hall of Fame’s Board of Directors, his wisdom, his compassion and his love of the game have proven invaluable in helping us shape our decisions. On behalf of the Board and staff of the National Baseball Hall of Fame, I would like to send our most sincere condolences to Nancy Niekro and the Niekro family. “

After a season of 23-13 in 1969 that established him firmly as one of the best in baseball, the durable Niekro consistently accumulated stunners and stunned batters. The fluttering knuckler danced over summers in the Atlanta heat, and by the age of 30, Niekro became an absolute workhorse – averaging 335 entries per season from 1977 to 1979 and becoming the last pitcher to post seasons. consecutive of at least 300 entries launched.

Seven Hall of Fame players died in 2020, the maximum in one year

A sad and moving note

If you have a moment to reflect, think about the lives of Phil Niekro, Lou Brock, Whitey Ford, Bob Gibson, Al Kaline, Joe Morgan and Tom Seaver

Lost legends

– Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) December 27, 2020

He won 121 games after turning 40, played a no-hitter against Padres on August 5, 1973 and won his 300th career game on the last day of the 1985 season by launching just one knuckler – on the last pitch of the game.

Niekro and his brother Joe, another knuckleballer, hold the record for most wins by a combination of brothers with 539. His 24 seasons in the Major League also included stints with the Yankees, Indians and Blue Jays. Niekro finished with a record of 318-274 and an ERA of 3.35.

For his humanitarian service, Niekro was honored with the Lou Gehrig, Roberto Clemente and Brian Piccolo awards. Following his baseball career, he managed the Colorado Silver Bullets, an all-female baseball team, in the late 1990s.

Niekro was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1997 and has served on the Museum’s Board of Directors since 2009. Phil Niekro’s memorial donations can be made to the Edmondson Telford Child Advocacy Center, 603 Washington St. SW, Gainesville, Georgia , 30501.