| |
 A longtime symbol of the
Atlanta Braves,
Phil Niekro holds many major
league records, nearly all of which
are as a result of his trademark
pitch, the knuckleball, which kept
him in the majors until he was 48.
Niekro's records tend to center on
longevity, durability, and
unpredictability, as his reliance on
the knuckler saved his arm, fooled
batters, and caused catchers to
consider a new occupation...Book
Phil Niekro for Your Event
A boyhood pal of basketball Hall
of Famer John Havilcek, Phil, and
his younger brother Joe, came out of
the Ohio River valley for 46 major
league seasons. Teammates briefly on
the Braves and Yankees, they would
eventually combine to pass Gaylord
and
Jim Perry as baseball's
winningest brother act in 1987,
finishing with 538.
During a 24-year career, Phil
Niekro relied not on velocity, but
on a fluttering knuckleball, to
frustrate major league hitters. His
lifetime record of 318-274 produced
a winning percentage significantly
higher than those teams for which he
pitched. "Knucksie" twice led the
National League in wins and
propelled Atlanta to the National
League West title in 1969, when he
recorded 23 victories, 21 complete
games and a 2.57 ERA. A five-time
All-Star, he no-hit the Padres on
August 5, 1973, and later managed
the all-women Colorado Silver
Bullets baseball team.
>>> Book Phil Niekro for Your Event
|
