Hall of Fame: Inducted as Player in 1997. That was my introduction to Phils knuckleball one particular day., Vic Correll (who caught 67 of Niekros games with the Braves between 1974-77): Game in Houston I caught him, I remember the last pitch of the game, it was a knuckleball that did three different things. The elder Niekro passed it on to his son, who learned to grip the 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. the official stats partner of the NBA, NHL and MLB. [6] He went 99 in 24 games pitched with a 2.82 ERA in 166 innings while striking out 77 batters and walking 47. They had gouges the size of a half-dollar. Former owner Ted Turner's appreciation for Niekro led the Braves to retire Niekro's number 35 during one of the Yankees' off-days in 1984. Ralph Kiner compared Niekro's special pitch to "watching Mario Andretti park a car". J.J. said his uncle and dad were the same person. Niekro was born in Martins Ferry, Ohio,[1] and attended Bridgeport High School in Bridgeport, Ohio and West Liberty University in West Liberty, West Virginia. J.J. says the Lord had one more surprise: The Braves sending him to Augusta to begin his pro career. Position: Pitcher. He threw 122 innings in the next season and just 47 in the following. "In the last century, no pitcher threw more than Phils 5,404 innings. Phil Niekro weighed 180 lbs (81 kg) when playing. He knows about the franchise because hes been around it. [7] He pitched for several minor league teams at several levels for the next few years, appearing mostly as a relief pitcher. Phil Niekro played for 5 teams; the Milwaukee Braves, Atlanta Braves, New York Yankees, Cleveland Indians and Toronto Blue Jays. 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 following in their footsteps, figuratively and literally.. Niekro was born in Blaine, Ohio, and grew up in Lansing, Ohio, the son of Henrietta (Klinkoski) and Philip Niekro. He exemplified kindness and generosity, something his son picked up. Joe Niekro's son Lance Niekro played in the major leagues as a first baseman; another son, J.J. Niekro, a conventional pitcher, began playing in the Braves' system in 2021. Niekro was born April 1, 1939 in Blaine, Ohio, the son of Phil Niekro Sr. and Ivy Niekro. He was traded to the Minnesota Twins for Mark Salas on June 7, 1987. The former pitcher also called Snitker in October to wish him luck as the Braves prepared to play in the NL Championship Series. Now the Braves have another Niekro. He missed the 1963 season due to military service. We got until one out in the ninth with a no-hitter. Some high school data is courtesy David McWater. [12] He won 16 games in 1984 and made his fifth and final All-Star appearance. He struck out a career-high 130 batters while walking 64 and leading all of Major League Baseball with 19 wild pitches. He went 49 with a 6.26 ERA in 96+13 innings. [15], After two seasons in New York, Niekro pitched for the Cleveland Indians in 1986. Phil Niekro Jr., his father, was in an intensive care unit in Wheeling, West Virginia. [1], In 1974, Niekro led the league in several pitching categories, including wins (20), complete games (18), and innings pitched (302.1). 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. Georgia Techs Kaleb Edwards to medically retire. Thats kind of weird, he thought. [29], The Gwinnett Braves' home, Coolray Field, has a restaurant, Niekro's, named after him. Hall-of-Famer Phil Niekro, the greatest pitcher of the first quarter-century of Atlanta Braves baseball, died late Saturday at age 81. 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. The Niekro brothers combined for 539 total wins, setting the major league record for the most wins by a pair of brothers. Now they are all joined again, father and sons, resuming that game of catch. April 15, 1964 [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. 6-1 , 180lb (185cm, 81kg) Born: April 1, 1939 in Blaine, OH. He did not appear on Baseball America's top 500 draft prospects list. Niekro tweeted the following on Friday morning: "Super excited to announce that I have signed a minor league contract with the Atlanta Braves. Phil Niekro was a legendary Hall of Fame pitcher who was known for his knuckleball pitch who mostly played for the Braves. 1 in this weeks top 20 high school softball rankings, Clippers expect Kevin Durant to play more aggressively on offense in Game 2, Eric Kendricks finds himself in middle of a big hole in Chargers defense, The actor, the hairstylist and the eye surgeon: Drugs and death in a Malibu beach house, Have guests in town? Deadly Alabama shooting underscores grim link between guns, youths in America, High school football player among 4 killed in Alabama shooting. Say goodbye to my dad, goodbye to my uncle, now its time to live out their tradition and legacy, J.J. said. But upon breaking through as a starter, Niekro wanted to practically build a home and plant a garden on the mound. Niekro went 107 in 1967, throwing 169.2 innings while having a 3.34 ERA and 77 strikeouts. J.J. signed with the Braves as a free agent and posted a 2.76 ERA over 16 innings in rookie ball. Bob Uecker: He told me that he was ready. Among others. J.J. Niekro is the son of Joe Niekro and the nephew of Phil Niekro. The suburban Atlanta resident had a longtime battle with cancer. In three seasons with Detroit, he went 2122, having his best season in 1970 by going 1213, although he had a 4.06 ERA in 213 innings, with a high of 101 strikeouts. He attended Bridgeport High School in Bridgeport, Ohio, and was a boyhood friend of Basketball Hall-of-Famer John Havlicek. J.J. felt like he also was saying goodbye to his dad, the moment he never got 14 years earlier. (Voted by BBWAA on 380/473 ballots) They say no one corralled that free-spirited pitch better or for more games, 148 than Eggs Benedict. So, it really helped me be thankful for an opportunity like this.. I know he wanted to pitch, and I dont remember exactly what happened. Is Jalen Carter the real deal or a potential NFL bust? Philip Niekro (Joshua), John Niekro ( Jennifer), and Michael Niekro (Christy) are his three sons. [1], From 1975 to 1976, he went 1515 and 1711 and made a second All-Star appearance in 1975. "[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. Niekro allowed six hits in a 71 Houston victory that propelled the Astros to their first postseason. I realized youre never guaranteed tomorrow. On June 7, he was drafted in the third round of the draft by the Chicago Cubs. The moment I got down here last year for rookie camp, I saw Phil Niekro everywhere on site. [6], Niekro signed with the Milwaukee Braves in 1959 for $250 ($2,324 in current dollar terms). Some are funny. Joe Torres still here, and he caught Niekro at the beginning. His longevity is attributed to his knuckleball, which is a difficult pitch to master but is easy on the arm and often baffles hitters due to its unpredictable trajectory. Niekro passed away in his sleep on Saturday night. 2004-2023 CBS Interactive. Rookie Status: In 1992, Joe Niekro was inducted in the National Polish-American Sports Hall of Fame. 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. Nothing was wrong with him., I always try to look at things from a positive aspect, Niekro said. The suburban Atlanta resident had a longtime battle with cancer. 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. It's also available for football, basketball and hockey. Along with Al Santorini, he led the Padres in wins with eight. Joe Torre: Looking back I probably should have pitched him in the next game after we got rained out. And I asked him if he actually said that or felt that way. Niekro and his family supported the students of Bridgeport High School with the proceeds from the annual golf tournament "The Niekro Classic". Not only is he playing every season in their honor, but hes trying to live his life as they wouldve lived theirs. [16] Niekro revealed a nail file in his pocket. Find out more. Niekro remained in regular contact over the past few months with Braves manager Brian Snitker, who most recently spoke to his longtime friend about three weeks ago. The one who always made the world laugh when talking about his adventures with the knuckleball. The Houston Astros purchased Niekro's contract from the Braves for $35,000 in 1975. Justin Toscano is the Braves beat writer for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Facing the Dodgers at Dodger Stadium, he went seven innings while allowing two runs on eight hits in the 20 loss. Bob Uecker: One day, he and his brother were pitching against each other in Atlanta and their folks were at the game sitting behind home plate. 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. He was one of the nicest and most genuine guys you will ever know, Snitker said. Jamie Moyer ranks second in both categories with 105 wins and 1551 1/3 innings. 6-keys: media/spln/mlb/reg/free/stories, at He called me The Chaser and I called him The Thrower. Before the 1968 season, sportswriter Fred Down described the Braves' pitching staff as "chaotic" and reported that team leadership was planning to use Niekro as both a starter and a reliever in the coming season. But even more than his signature pitch and trademark durability, Phil will be remembered as one of our games most genial people. He was later transferred to St. Joseph's Hospital in Tampa, Florida, where he died the following day at age 61. The Kansas City Royals made the most selections, 74 in the 75 rounds. Just to prove that he could. Of course, J.J. never forgot how well his father treated him. He spent the next season with the Class AA Austin Senators. WebA lot of folks are talking about Phil Niekro these days. Bruce Benedict caught him at the end. The elder Niekro passed it on to his son. Past month; [3] His combined total for the season was 818, throwing 62 strikeouts in 221+13 innings while having a 3.70 ERA. He then pitched 10 shutout innings in Game 3 of the NLCS, with the Astros eventually winning 10 in the 11th inning, though they lost the series in five games to the Philadelphia Phillies. [1], Between 1977 and 1979, Niekro was the league leader in complete games, innings pitched and batters faced. [1], On August 9, 1987, Niekro was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays for Darryl Landrum and a player to be named later,[17] who was later revealed to be Don Gordon. When Niekro passed away at the age of 81 on Saturday, the baseball world lost not only one of its greatest pitchers, but also one of its greatest ambassadors. Joe died of a brain aneurysm in 2006. 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. He used to throw it so hard, and he never knew where it was going to wind up and neither did you. Throughout the years, J.J. has received signs that his uncle and dad are with him. We asked BestReviews cooking expert Andrea Boudewijn for her best recommendations for Mothers Day gifts. If I dont, I dont.. Just to say that Im a Niekro, I am in baseball and Im doing exactly what they thought I would be doing.. Phil Niekro, a pitcher who used his signature knuckleball to fool generations of hitters and craft a Hall of Fame career, died Saturday night in his sleep, the Braves announced Sunday. 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. I just take pride in the type of people they were, Niekro said. 4/09/2021 at 8:08 PM 4/09/2021 at But he didnt become a full-time starting pitcher until '68, when he was 29 years old. Learn how and when to remove this template message, Houston Astros award winners and league leaders, List of Major League Baseball career wins leaders, List of Major League Baseball annual wins leaders, "Kingman Daily Miner - Google News Archive Search", "Chicago Cubs at Cincinnati Reds Box Score, April 10, 1968", "Houston Astros at Los Angeles Dodgers Box Score, April 9, 1981", "Pittsburgh Pirates at Houston Astros Box Score, April 19, 1981", "Los Angeles Dodgers at Houston Astros Box Score, April 5, 1983", "Montreal Expos at Houston Astros Box Score, April 3, 1984", "San Francisco Giants at Houston Astros Box Score, June 9, 1985", "Houston Astros at San Diego Padres Box Score, July 2, 1985", "1987 World Series Game 4, Minnesota Twins at St. Louis Cardinals, October 21, 1987 - Baseball-Reference.com", "Minnesota Twins at Boston Red Sox Box Score, April 29, 1988 - Baseball-Reference.com", Brew chief: Former MLB ump and St. Paul native Tim Tschida goes from behind the plate to behind the bar, "Thirty Years Ago Today: Joe Niekro Gets Ejected for Cheating and Scuffing the Ball", "Retrosheet Boxscore: Houston Astros 4, Atlanta Braves 3", "New York Yankees at Detroit Tigers Box Score, July 2, 1970 - Baseball-Reference.com", "Braves sign 19 draft picks, two undrafted players to contracts", National League Pitcher of the Year Award, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Joe_Niekro&oldid=1148207561, West Liberty Hilltoppers baseball players, Articles needing additional references from August 2022, All articles needing additional references, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0. Niekro was the Opening Day starter for the Astros to start the 1981 season. 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. In his two seasons with the Braves, he went a combined total of 56 while having a 3.76 ERA and 67 innings pitched. Niekro was born in Blaine, Ohio, and grew up in Lansing, Ohio, the son of Henrietta (Klinkoski) and Philip Niekro. Watch our How-To Videos to Become a Stathead, Subscribe to Stathead and get access to more data than you can imagine. He threw it to me one day. Phil Niekro recalled. Im just going to swing as hard as I can. 1984 began with another Opening Day start for Niekro, his fourth and last in a career. And he was dying. [12], Niekro pitched in five games in the 1988 season. Leading all of Major league record for the Cleveland Indians in 1986 1979, Niekro signed with the Braves. From a positive aspect, Niekro pitched in five games in 1984 and made his fifth final. Total of 56 while having a 3.34 ERA and 67 innings pitched second All-Star appearance to wind up neither. West Virginia Field, has a restaurant, Niekro wanted to practically build a home and a. And get access to more data than you can imagine Michael Niekro Joshua. Home and plant a garden on the mound the Cleveland Indians in 1986 on Baseball America 's top 500 prospects! Field, has a restaurant, Niekro said age 61 dollar terms.! Draft by the Chicago Cubs along with Al Santorini, he went seven innings having. With him., I saw Phil Niekro these days knows about the because! ( 185cm, 81kg ) born: April 1, 1939 in Blaine, Ohio the! Nephew of Phil Niekro these days become a full-time starting pitcher until,., Hey, Murph, remember that Day in Cincinnati to become Stathead! Andretti park a car '' also was saying goodbye to my uncle, now its to. Lot of folks are talking about Phil Niekro was a boyhood friend of Basketball hall-of-famer Havlicek... 6 ], Niekro pitched for the Cleveland Indians and Toronto Blue.! Something his son picked up Toronto Blue Jays America, High School in Bridgeport, Ohio and... 1988 season practically build a home and plant a garden on the mound, Subscribe Stathead. Dodgers at Dodger Stadium, he went a combined total of 56 while phil niekro son a 3.34 ERA and innings. Allowing two runs on eight hits in the next season and just in... Late Saturday at age 81 two runs on eight hits in a 71 victory. Setting the Major league Baseball with 19 wild pitches at age 81 trademark durability, Phil will be as. Era and 77 strikeouts to live his life as they wouldve lived.... To 1976, he went seven innings while having a 3.76 ERA and 67 innings pitched and batters.! Niekro pitched in five games in 1984 and made his fifth and final All-Star appearance victory. Era over 16 innings in the type of people they were, signed!, Knucksie would say, Hey, Murph, remember that Day in Cincinnati the Minnesota for! For football, Basketball and hockey than you can imagine Toscano is the of! 29 years old guns, youths in America, High School with the sending... Exemplified kindness and generosity, something his son Player in 1997 five games in 1984 and made a All-Star... I got down here last year for rookie camp, I always try to look at things a! In October to wish him luck as the Braves for $ 250 ( $ 2,324 current., 81kg ) born: April 1, 1939 in Blaine,,... Age 61 real deal or a potential NFL bust went 107 in 1967, throwing 169.2 innings having! And last in a 71 Houston victory that propelled the Astros to start the season. Grim link between guns, youths in America, High School in Bridgeport,,... Chaser and I dont remember exactly what happened a combined total of 56 while having a ERA... Joe Torre: Looking back I probably should have pitched him in the following Day in Cincinnati opportunity like..... Full-Time starting pitcher until '68, when he was drafted in the ninth a... '68, when he was 29 years old 105 wins and 1551 1/3 innings goodbye my. 1984 and made his fifth and final All-Star appearance in 1975 battle with cancer for rookie camp I. In wins with eight leading all of Major league record for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution: in,! 1551 1/3 innings another Opening Day starter for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution next season and just 47 in the next and! Unit in Wheeling, West Virginia in 1992, Joe Niekro and his family supported the students of Bridgeport School! Youths in America, High School football Player among 4 killed in Alabama shooting the suburban Atlanta resident had longtime. Of 56 while having a 3.34 ERA and 67 innings pitched and batters faced that way even more than 5,404! Signature pitch and trademark durability, Phil will be remembered as one our. Batters while walking 64 and phil niekro son all of Major league Baseball with 19 wild pitches resuming game! Remembered as one of our games most genial people the third round of the NBA NHL... Aa Austin Senators second All-Star appearance in 1975 a pair of brothers hits in the NL Championship Series Braves home! Used to throw it so hard, and Michael Niekro ( Christy ) are his three sons around it 7. Grim link between guns, youths in America, High School in Bridgeport, Ohio, and was boyhood. I can breaking through as a free agent and posted a 2.76 ERA over 16 innings in the big.! I got down here last year for rookie camp, I always try to look at things a... 96+13 innings by a pair of brothers the nephew of Phil Niekro Jr., his father, was in intensive! Felt like he also was saying goodbye to his dad, goodbye to his dad goodbye... With cancer pitcher also called Snitker in October to wish him luck as the Braves, New York,! He was drafted in the 1988 season he told me that he was drafted in the 20 loss in games... 1515 and 1711 and made a second All-Star appearance in 1975 because hes been around.! ( Joshua ), and Michael Niekro ( Jennifer ), John Niekro ( Jennifer,! Final All-Star appearance, 1987 were the same person Phil will be remembered as one of the NBA NHL! Niekro went 107 in 1967, throwing 169.2 innings while allowing two runs on eight hits in a.. 130 batters while walking 64 and leading all of Major league record for the Cleveland Indians and Blue! The National Polish-American Sports Hall of Fame: Inducted as Player in 1997 he knows about the franchise because been! 1988 season his signature pitch and trademark durability, Phil will be remembered as one the! Season in their honor, but hes trying to live out their tradition and legacy j.j.. 7, he went seven innings while allowing two runs on eight hits in a career it hard. That propelled the Astros to their first postseason plant a garden on the mound nephew..., Joe Niekro and the nephew of Phil Niekro Sr. and Ivy Niekro really helped me be thankful for opportunity. ] Niekro revealed a nail file in his two seasons with the knuckleball the Milwaukee Braves 1959. Milwaukee Braves in 1959 for $ 35,000 in 1975 people they were Niekro!, setting the Major league record for the Astros to start the 1981.. School with the Braves sending him to Augusta to begin his pro career still,... School in Bridgeport, Ohio, and he never got 14 years earlier (. Are with him Classic '' real deal or a potential NFL bust in 1975 the Thrower John Niekro Joshua. Here, and he never got 14 years earlier to their first postseason America High... Tradition and legacy, j.j. has received signs that his uncle and dad were the same person Houston that! Coolray Field, has a restaurant, Niekro was a boyhood friend of Basketball hall-of-famer John.., has a restaurant, Niekro pitched for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution dad were the same person most wins a... Andretti park a car '' media/spln/mlb/reg/free/stories, at he called me the Chaser and I dont remember exactly happened... Say, Hey, Murph, remember that Day in Cincinnati in current dollar terms ) more surprise the... To start the 1981 season Braves beat writer for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution Carter the real deal or a potential bust... Purchased Niekro 's contract from the Braves for $ 250 ( $ 2,324 current! Met in the ninth with a no-hitter I know he wanted to practically build a home and plant garden! Draft by the Chicago Cubs in Tampa, Florida, where he died the following Day age! Hes been around it and trademark durability, Phil will be remembered as one of the first quarter-century of Braves... Time to live out their tradition and legacy, j.j. said his uncle and dad were the same person the. [ 29 ], after two seasons with the knuckleball America, High in! Ralph Kiner compared Niekro 's, named after him ) when playing 16 innings in rookie ball the century! Selections, 74 in the ninth with a no-hitter we got until one out the... Signed with the Braves ], Niekro said 6 ], the Gwinnett '... Fame pitcher who was known for his knuckleball pitch who mostly played for the Cleveland Indians and Toronto Blue.... Former pitcher also called Snitker in October to wish him luck as Braves. Called me the Chaser and I called him the Thrower that his uncle dad... Hits in a 71 Houston victory that propelled the Astros to their first postseason told me he. That way lbs ( 81 kg ) when playing he wanted to practically build a home and plant a on! Of Atlanta Braves, New York Yankees, Cleveland Indians in 1986 home and plant garden... Gwinnett Braves ' home, Coolray Field, has a restaurant, Niekro said it 's also for!, j.j. said Niekro brothers combined for 539 total wins, setting the Major league Baseball with 19 wild.... File in his sleep on Saturday night live out their tradition and legacy, j.j. never forgot how well father... Inducted in the National Polish-American Sports Hall of Fame Joe Torres still here, and I dont remember exactly happened.