He always represented his sport extraordinarily well, and he will be deeply missed. 11/19/2013 added GIFs for Tim Wakefield, Charlie Hough and Phil Niekro 1/2/2013 added RA Dickey knuckleball slomotion from FanGraphs. Phil and Joe, known as "Knucksie" and "Little Knucksie," respectively, learned well, going on to pitch a total of 46 major league seasons, earn six All-Star Game berths and, in perhaps their proudest achievement, combine for 539 victories. In the finale, manager Billy Martin handed pitching coach duties to Joe Niekro and the ball to Phil Niekro. [1], In 1974, Niekro led the league in several pitching categories, including wins (20), complete games (18), and innings pitched (302.1). [33], Varitek holds the postseason record with three passed balls in the 13th inning of Game 5 of the 2004 American League Championship Series while catching Wakefield.[34]. [17] When, in 2012, R. A. Dickey became the first Cy Young Award-winning knuckleball pitcher, he called the award "a victory for the knuckleball fraternity", and of the dozens of phone calls he received after the announcement, Niekro's was the only one he answered. But the knuckleball carried Niekro to more than 300 . (A common phrase for hitting a knuckleball is "if it's low, let it go; if it's high, let it fly"; meaning that a batter should attempt to hit a knuckleball only if it crosses the plate high in the strike zone due to lack of break.) Phil Niekro Sr., a laborer and part-time semi-pro pitcher, had mastered the knuckler after an arm injury threatened to end his playing days. All images are property the copyright holder and are displayed here for informational purposes only. Phil Niekro achieved . Because there are so few knuckleball pitchers, the resources for learning and improving the knuckleball are few compared to more common pitches. He finished the 1985 season with a 1612 record, the final time he won 15 or more games in a single season. Phil Niekro played 24 . [10] Another reason for the difficulty of the knuckleball is due to the network effect. Carroll would go on to become a two-time All-Star reliever for the Cincinnati Reds and would notch 143 saves over his career. And if you can throw a ball without any spin at 65-plus miles-per-hour, than youve got a great knuckleball grip. Yet the knuckler was all Niekro had, all he believed in. This change adds a deflecting force to the baseball, making it difficult for batters to hit but also difficult for pitchers to control and catchers to catch; umpires are challenged as well, as the ball's irregular motion through the air makes it harder to call balls and strikes. Updated pitcher list, and average pitch speed for Dickey/Wakefield. Toad Ramsey, a pitcher from 1885 to 1890, is credited in some later sources with being the first knuckleballer, apparently based primarily on accounts of how he gripped the ball; however, based on more contemporary descriptions of his pitch as an "immense drop ball", it may be that his pitch was a form of knuckle curve. Avoid the seams. The Book: Playing the Percentages in Baseball, Did not play in major or minor leagues (Military Service), Salaries may not be complete (especially pre-1985) and may not include some earned bonuses, Note, this is done in an automated way, so we apologize for any errors, & please. Niekro, who pitched well into his 40s with a knuckleball that baffled big league hitters for more than two decades, mostly with the Braves, has died after a long fight with cancer, the team . The knuckleball is somewhat of a lost art, a pitch with slower speed that moves oddly and is hard for hitters to predict the trajectory. FILE - In this March 29, 2007, file photo, Baseball Hall of Famer Phil Niekro holds a knuckleball at the Great Lakes Science Center in Cleveland. Niekro was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1997. Rookie Status: Unlike conventional pitches, which perform fast results without much exertion, a knuckleball pitcher must train his body and muscle memory to be able to execute a 65mph pitch with less than one rotation. Niekro, who pitched well into his 40s with a . As used by Cicotte, the knuckleball was originally thrown by holding the ball with the knuckles, hence the name of the pitch. [1] He was released by the Yankees before the 1986 season started. [2] Other accounts attribute the pitch's creation to Charles H. Druery, a pitcher in the Blue Ridge League. [2] It was his third and final 20-win season and his second and final 20-loss season. After he was notified, Niekro said, "Giving a description of today's phone call is impossible. It's also available for football, basketball and hockey. The Hall of Fame knuckleballer died at 81 years old after a battle with cancer, his former team announced Sunday. Discover one-of-a-kind artifacts and get lost in sweeping exhibitions that explore pivotal moments in the game and its impact far beyond the field. BL-1598-92 (National Baseball Hall of Fame Library), Phil Niekro posing with his plaque during the 1997 Hall of Fame Weekend. Niekro was remembered by the Hall as "master of the knuckleball and a great mentor, leader and friend." Niekro didn't make it to the big leagues until 1964, when he pitched 10 games in relief for . "We are heartbroken on the passing of our treasured friend, Phil Niekro," the Braves said in a statement. Exceeded rookie limits during 1965 season, View Player Bio "I figured if there's any way I'm going to win my 300th game by striking the guy out, I was going to do it with the pitch that won the first game for me," Niekro said. Mr. Niekro's longevity in a game that can be unforgiving for players who lose their timing, great eyesight, speed and ability to throw as they age is simply remarkable. December 30, 2020. Following a 23-13 season in 1969 that firmly established him as one of baseballs best, the durable Niekro consistently piled up innings and perplexed batters. December 27, 2020 [20] On September 27, he made his final start of his career, pitching three innings and surrendering five runs in the no-decision. If staying in the majors could be owed to the knuckler, the same factor might also explain Niekro's initial difficulty in reaching the big leagues. Niekro passed away on Dec. 26, 2020, at the age of 81. Niekro, who was born April 1, 1939, and died in 2020 at 81, excelled by using the elusive . Taking a fly swatter to the batter's box would have worked just as well. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. If you have any question, please contact me at knuckleballnation@gmail.com, Monday Friday: 10am 9pmSaturday: 10am 4pm, Copyright OceanWP Knuckleball Nation. This is the magical village of the U.S.A., Craig Muder is the director of communications for the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. If one of the fingers puts more pressure on the ball than the other, the ball spins. Following his baseball career, he managed the Colorado Silver Bullets, an all-women baseball team in the late 1990s. The Braves went to the playoffs, where Niekro was 01 with four earned runs allowed in an eight-inning appearance against the New York Mets. April 1st, 2022. [10], In 1970, he went 1218 with a 4.27 ERA in what turned out to be a down year. April 1, 1939 Created by the act of throwing a ball, the ball's trajectory is significantly affected by variations in airflow caused by differences between the smooth surface of the ball and the stitching of its seams. And todays two tips are all about reducing those variables. Logos were compiled by the amazing SportsLogos.net. "There aren't many hitters who like facing knuckleball pitchers," Niekro said. Reserve your tickets, map your route, and work out all the details for your arrival in Cooperstown. Niekro and his family supported the students of Bridgeport High School with the proceeds from the annual golf tournament "The Niekro Classic". However, since a typical major league starting rotation exceeds the length of a series against any one opponent, one way a manager can mitigate this disadvantage is to adjust his team's pitching rotation so as to eliminate (or at least minimize) games in which a knuckleballer would pitch against teams with a preponderance of fast baserunners. Another drawback is that runners on base can usually advance more easily than if a conventional pitcher is on the mound. [15][16], Perhaps as a result, knuckleball pitchers often view themselves as members of an exclusive club, with its own uniform number (49, first worn by Wilhelm) and leader (Phil Niekro, whom The New Yorker in 2004 called "the undisputed Grand Poobah" of the group after Wilhelm's death). All rights reserved. He attended Bridgeport High School in Bridgeport, Ohio, and was a boyhood friend of Basketball Hall-of-Famer John Havlicek. Ferrell knew knuckleballs: he had the task of being the Washington Senators catcher in 194445, when the Senators had four knuckleball pitchers in their starting rotation. "[26], After the end of his professional baseball career, Niekro managed the all-women Colorado Silver Bullets baseball team. Phil Niekro, 300-game winner and Hall of Famer, passed away on Dec. 26 at the age of 81. Get breaking news alerts& today's headlines inyour inbox. Or write about sports? (Brad Mangin/National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum), Using his trademark knuckleball to baffle hitters, Phil Niekro was named to five All-Star Games. [16] He started the 1987 season with the Indians, going 711 in 26 starts. Their win total still stands as a major league record for siblings, as they surpassed another brother combination featuring a Hall of Famer: Gaylord and Jim Perry (529 wins combined). Full-year historical Major League statistics provided by Pete Palmer and Gary Gillette of Hidden Game Sports. Our hearts go out to Nancy Niekro, the kids and grandkids. This change adds a deflecting force to the baseball, making it difficult for batters to hit but also difficult for pitchers to control and catchers to catch . R. A. Dickey argues that, "for most managers, it takes a special manager to be able to really trust it the bad and the good of it. [15], After two seasons in New York, Niekro pitched for the Cleveland Indians in 1986. (Josh Szot/National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum), Phil Niekro managed the Colorado Silver Bullets baseball team from 1994-97. He was 81. [8] To reduce the chances of having the knuckleball get hit for a home run, some pitchers will impart a slight topspin so that if no force causes the ball to dance, it will move downward in flight. He would say later that he wanted to prove he was a pitcher, not just a knuckleballer. By 1967, Niekro was one of the top pitchers in the game, leading the NL that year with an ERA of 1.87. A team will sometimes employ a catcher solely for games started by a knuckleballer. [28], The knuckleball does provide some advantages to its practitioners. Many people, including pros, think that the pitch is thrown with fingertips dug into the seams. Dedicated daily to memorializing notable personalities. He amassed 121 victories after he turned 40 -- a major league record -- and pitched until he was 48. ATLANTA (AP) 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 the Atlanta Braves, has . "I got to meet a lot of important people. A pitch thrown completely without spin is less desirable, however, than one with a very slight spin. Phil Niekro owns one of, if not, the best knuckleball in MLB history. https://www.mlb.com/ Joe Niekro. At 46 years, 188 days, Niekro became the oldest pitcher to pitch a shutout in the major leagues. (Jean Fruth/National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum), Cleveland Indians uniform cap worn by Phil Niekro facing the Detroit Tigers on June 1, 1987, when he gained his 314th career win, making the Niekro brothers the all-time brother-combined leaders in wins with 530 - B-98-87 (Milo Stewart Jr./National Baseball Hall of Fame Library), Phil Niekro pitching as Atlanta Brave, 1981 - BL-2710-2000 (Rick Pilling/National Baseball Hall of Fame Library), Niekro remembered for mastery of the knuckleball, elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1997, https://www.tiktok.com/@baseballhall?lang=en. Jim Bouton said, "coaches don't respect it. View Phil Niekro's Page at the Baseball Hall of Fame (plaque, photos, videos). He did not throw his trademark knuckleball throughout the game until the final hitter;[13] to former AL MVP Jeff Burroughs. On Sunday we learned that Phil Niekro, the greatest knuckleball pitcher in baseball history, had died of cancer the day before at age 81. He finished sixth in Cy Young Award voting in both 1978 and 1979, and made his third All-Star appearance in 1978, as well as winning three consecutive Gold Glove Awards from 1978 to 1980. This can be attributed to a variety of factors. When Mr. Niekro was 40 years old in 1979 he threw 23 complete games - nowadays it is rare to see a pitcher even throw 1 or 2 complete 9 inning games during a typical season. [1], From 1975 to 1976, he went 1515 and 1711 and made a second All-Star appearance in 1975. A successful knuckleball shot will move, dip, or wobble in the air unpredictably, making it difficult for the goalkeeper to save. Philip Henry Niekro (/ n i k r o / NEE-kroh; April 1, 1939 - December 26, 2020), nicknamed "Knucksie", was an American baseball pitcher who played 24 seasons in Major League Baseball, 20 of them with the Milwaukee / Atlanta Braves.Niekro's 318 career victories are the most by a knuckleballer and rank 16th on MLB's all-time wins list.He won the National League Gold Glove Award five . After the season, the Braves released him.[11]. They all sit behind home plate." Bob Uecker During 24 big league seasons, Phil Niekro rode his knuckleball to 5,404 innings pitched - the most of any pitcher who started his career in the live ball era. Bases loaded, nobody out, a lead slipping away. With the Braves Niekro earned 268 of his career 318 . I don't think of his 318 wins. Atlanta Braves pitcher Phil Niekro is seen in a 1968 photo. Niekro learned his knuckler as a 12-year-old from his coal miner father in Ohio. On occasion, teams have traded knuckleball pitchers and their catchers in the same transaction. Phil Niekro pitched a no-hitter in 1973 but his most memorable game with the Braves came in 1982, when the team started the season with 13 consecutive wins and . Phil Niekro signs autographs for fans in Cooperstown at the 2011 Hall of Fame Parade of Legends. He spent six long years in the minor leagues, and once he got to the majors his fluttering knuckleball never lit up the radar gun. Popular categories from this store. 1965 Topps Clay Carroll, Phil Niekro #461. By continuing to use this website, you consent to the use of cookies in accordance with our Cookie Policy. His knuckleball led him to five All-Star selections, three 20-win seasons for the Atlanta Braves, the 300-win club, and ultimately, to Cooperstown. Much of the play-by-play, game results, and transaction information both shown and used to create certain data sets was obtained free of charge from and is copyrighted by RetroSheet. [1] In 1966, Niekro split time again between the Braves and their minor league system, going 43 with a 4.11 earned run average (ERA). Phil Niekro was born in Blaine, OH. Dont do it. "Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Nancy, sons Philip, John and Michael and his two grandchildren Chase and Emma.". [21], At the age of 48, Niekro was the oldest player in major league history to play regularly until Julio Franco played at age 49 in 2007. First called up by Milwaukee in 1964, Niekro seesawed between the majors and minors, a pitcher struggling to find a niche and willing catchers. Toad Ramsey of the Louisville Colonels in the old American Associationhis pitch likely resembled the knuckle curveand Eddie Cicotte of the Chicago White Sox, who in 1908 was nicknamed "Knuckles", are two possible creators of the pitch.
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