Phil Niekro, a pitcher who used his signature knuckleball to fool generations of hitters and craft a Hall of Fame career, died Saturday night .
Phil Niekro Dies: Hall Of Fame Knuckleball Pitcher Was 81 (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. Keep up with headlines and events at the Baseball Hall of Fame, and see who will be taking their place in history next. (Milo Stewart Jr./National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum). On March 2, 2010, she trained with Tim Wakefield at the Boston Red Sox minor-league training facility.
Not many pitchers start out with it, and you can't expect to pick it up overnight. Niekro threw a no-hitter against the Padres on Aug. 5, 1973, and won his 300th career game on the final day of the 1985 season by throwing just one knuckler on the last pitch of the game. Dedicated daily to memorializing notable personalities. 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.
Phil Niekro elected to Hall of Fame | Baseball Hall of Fame Do you have a blog? I've been stunned before. Phil Niekro who hurled most of his famous knuckle balls with the Braves, died on Saturday . The Associated Press contributed to this report. (Parker Fish/National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum) As a mentor, leader and friend, Phil brought out the best in all of us in Cooperstown. Since it typically only travels 60 to 70 miles per hour (97 to 113km/h),[7] far slower than the average major league fastball 85 to 95 miles per hour (137 to 153km/h), it can be hit very hard if there is no movement. He did not throw his trademark knuckleball throughout the game until the final hitter;[13] to former AL MVP Jeff Burroughs. [12] Niekro was given the nickname "Knucksie" during his career. [6] According to physicist Robert Adair, due to the physiological limitation of human reaction time, a breaking knuckleball may be impossible to hit except by luck. Atlanta, Sept. 27, 1987 __ Phil Niekro was in a jam. "I got to meet a lot of important people. The nice thing about Phil Niekro is, he doesn't look his age. "[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. "I led the league in ERA [1.87], and he led the league in passed balls.". Furthermore, other factors, such as a dearth of knuckleball teachers and the dramatic increase in the running game base stealing is often easier against knuckleball pitchers may be contributing to its demise. Knuckleball pitchers can throw more innings than other pitchers, and, requiring less time to recover after pitching, can pitch more frequently. 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. Javascript is required for the selection of a player. After the season, the Braves released him.[11].
10 memorable moments from Phil Niekro's remarkable baseball career However, the seam on a cricket ball is equatorial, and thus the extent of erratic movement is reduced due to the symmetry (at least in the conventional release position where the planes of the ball's trajectory and the seam are nearly co-planar).
Phil Niekro showing his grip at the Baseball Hall of Fame. Copyright 2000-2023 Sports Reference LLC. [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.
"Phil Niekro" Wins His 300th Game! "New York Yankees" "Knuckleball" I feel like I'm surrounded by family, Niekro said of his many trips to Cooperstown. Support provided by Market New York through I LOVE NY/ New York States Division of Tourism as a part of the Regional Economic Development Council awards. [2] It was his third and final 20-win season and his second and final 20-loss season. In 1969, his first All-Star season, he had a 2313 season with a 2.56 ERA,[1] finishing second in the National League Cy Young award balloting to Tom Seaver. "In the last century, no pitcher threw more than Phil's 5,404 innings. Joe Niekro died in 2006 at age 61. "Very few pitchers make a living throwing the knuckleball," says Sain, "simply because they can't make it work. Many people, including pros, think that the pitch is thrown with fingertips dug into the seams. Phil Niekro played for 5 teams; the Milwaukee Braves, Atlanta Braves, New York Yankees, Cleveland Indians and Toronto Blue Jays. Phil Niekro was elected into the Hall of Fame in 1997. His success eventually forced the team to take a chance on a knuckleballer as a starting pitcher. Two later pitchers, Jesse Haines and Freddie Fitzsimmons, were sometimes characterized as knuckleball pitchers even by their contemporaries, but in their cases it again refers to a harder-thrown, curving pitch that would probably not be called a knuckleball today. [14], Another factor contributing to the rarity of the knuckleball is the difficulty of throwing the pitch. He returned to Louisville in 1962 and had a 96 record. Anything that you do that has a chance of putting even a tiny amount of spin on the ball must be eliminated, even if it feels comfortable. in Blaine, OH He pitched six innings of Game 2 and left with a 32 lead. "We are heartbroken on the passing of our treasured friend, Phil Niekro," the Braves said in a statement. Pinstripes look just fine on Phil Niekro. Most of his career was spent with mostly with the Atlanta Braves. He looks much older. The fingers that stabilize the ball shouldnt be on any seams. La maledetta che sfida la fisica", "Noughty Boys: No one hit a free-kick quite like Juninho Pernambucano", "Pele to Zico to Beckham to Ronaldo: Evolution of the Free-Kick Masters", "Mestre de Pirlo, Juninho Pernambucano ensinou italiano a bater falta", "The Top 15 Best Shooters in World Football", "Bonansea: I was always daydreaming of football in class", The (Mostly) Complete List of Knuckleball Pitchers, NPR.org on the Red Sox's re-acquisition of Doug Mirabelli, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Knuckleball&oldid=1137620558, This page was last edited on 5 February 2023, at 16:41. "There aren't many hitters who like facing knuckleball pitchers," Niekro said. [10], Coaches have also been seen as a barrier to succeeding with the knuckleball. ", "Will R. A. Dickey's Angry Knuckleball Change The Game? Read More 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. He was a key contributor to the Braves winning their only two division titles before 1991.
Remembering Phil Niekro, King of the Knuckleballers (1939-2020) His pitching coach? Phil Niekro won 318 games over his 24-year big league career. (Doug McWilliams/National baseball Hall of Fame and Museum).
Phil Niekro, Hall of Fame pitcher, dies at the age of 81 | CNN Niekro has died after a long fight with cancer, the team announced today. Heck, he didn't even know where it was going most of the time. Day trip or a week-long adventure. Other prominent knuckleball pitchers have included Joe Niekro (Phil's brother), Charlie Hough, Dave Jolly, Ben Flowers, Wilbur Wood, Barney Schultz, Tom Candiotti, Bob Purkey, Steve Sparks, Eddie Rommel, Tim Wakefield, Steven Wright, and Dickey. Use without license or authorization is expressly prohibited. The Niekro brothers would face each other nine times in their career, with Joes team winning five. 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 . Burroughs struck out, giving the Yankees an 8-0 victory and Niekro his milestone. On August 5, 1973, Niekro threw a no-hitter against the San Diego Padres, the first for the Braves since moving to Atlanta. Biographical Information [] "It actually giggles at you as it goes by." - Rick Monday, discussing Niekro's famous knuckleball Phil Niekro was, by several years, the last man born in the 1930s to be playing Major League Baseball. Photo is at @Dana_Pump @David_Pump Foundation dinner with @STLWizard #RickeyHenderson pic.twitter.com/RccUiq0rJO, PHIL NIEKRO YOU WERE ALWAYS GOOD MAN WHENEVER WE SEE YOU AT THE MATCHES IN THE ATLANTA. We'll miss you, Knucksie. Heck, he didn't even know where it was going most of the time. It's also available for football, basketball and hockey. Our hearts go out to Nancy Niekro, the kids and grandkids. He set a major league record by playing 24 seasons in the major leagues without a World Series appearance. 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.
The Baseball 100: No. 83, Phil Niekro - The Athletic 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 . When I think of Phil Niekro, two things come to mind. He surrendered a league-leading 40 home runs that year, a feat he would not repeat until 1979. Signed in 1958, he didn't break through for good for nearly a decade. (Age 48-179d) us, Died: This modern pitch is unrelated to the knuckleball.
Learnings from Baseball Knuckleballer Phil Niekro ATLANTA (AP) Phil Niekro threw a pitch that baffled hitters and catchers. This is due to both the knuckleball's low average speed and its erratic movement, which force the catcher to keep focusing on the ball even after the runners start stealing their next bases. It does not need to be thrown hard (in fact, throwing too hard may diminish its effectiveness), and is therefore less taxing on the arm. Niekro, who pitched well into his 40s . 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. Share They clawed against each other as mound opponents, with Joe defeating his big brother 5-4 in their careers. 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. He amassed 121 victories after he turned 40 -- a major league record -- and pitched until he was 48. Historically, the term "knuckle curve" had a usage that was different from what it has in the game today. 4.9. On Sunday we learned that Phil Niekro, the greatest knuckleball pitcher in baseball history, had died of cancer the day before at age 81. December 30, 2020. "Trying to hit Phil Niekro is like trying to eat Jell-O with chopsticks," said former New York Yankees All-Star outfielder Bobby Murcer. All rights reserved. In 24 seasons with the Braves, Yankees, Indians and Blue Jays, Niekro was 318-274 with a 3.35 ERA.
Phil Niekro's legacy with Braves filled with innings, wins Sponsored. Vic DeLucia/The New York Times. This use of a "specialist" catcher continued into the 2008 season following the signing of Kevin Cash, and 2009 saw George Kottaras fulfill this role. The Yankees had fallen short of the postseason the day before with a loss in Toronto. In 2013, J. P. Arencibia set a Toronto Blue Jays franchise record by allowing four passed balls in the season opener (a 42 loss) while catching for knuckleballer R. A. Dickey. [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. Phil Niekro fashioned a long, successful sports career by mastering the most confounding pitch in the history of baseballthe knuckleball. September 27, 1987 AP2007. He would say later that he wanted to prove he was a pitcher, not just a knuckleballer. Phil Niekro shares a story with Braves fans during
A Night at the Museum at the Hall of Fame. Seams are raised.
Knuckleball Grips, Part 2 - Knuckleball Nation All three fingers. And traditionally, if you look at Tim Wakefield, Joe and Phil Niekro, Tom Candiotti, Wilbur Wood, Hoyt Wilhelm and all the guys that threw it, through their success they had guys who really believed in what it could do long-term and committed to giving them the ball every fifth day to do it. Or write about sports? 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. It was during those community and fan activities where he would communicate with fans as if they were long lost friends. It feels comfortable to me. Well, three fingers gives you a much better chance of spinning the ball, and heres why: To eliminate the spin you need to apply even pressure from two fingertips. Now you have to apply even pressure using three fingers. [8], Niekro debuted with the Milwaukee Braves in 1964, working 15 major league innings and spending time with the team's class AAA minor league affiliate. R. A. Dickey estimates that it takes at least a year to grasp its fundamentals. Rich in anecdotes and interviews, this book shares the unique stories of Hoyt Wilhelm, Phil Niekro, Jim Bouton, Tom Candiotti, Tim Wakefield, R.A. Dickey, and many others. 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. There are other prominent knuckleball pitchers like Hall of Famer Phil Niekro, who had a very effective knuckler and knuckle curve, and Cy Young Award winning pitcher R. A. Dickey. 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.
Sterft de knuckleball langzaam uit? - linkedin.com Philip Henry Niekro was born on April 1, 1939, in Blaine, Ohio. Some high school data is courtesy David McWater. Phil Niekro signs autographs for fans in Cooperstown at the 2011 Hall of Fame Parade of Legends.
Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher Phil Niekro has died at 81 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. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. [19] At the same time, pitchers rarely focus on the knuckleball if they have reasonable skill with more standard pitches.
Hall Of Famer Phil Niekro, Known For His Knuckleball, Dies At 81 $5.98 + $1.98 shipping. As with many knuckleball pitchers, age proved no barrier to Niekro. vs. SFG 3.0 IP, 6 H, 0 SO, 6 BB, 5 ER.
The Polish and Ohio Valley Origins of Hall of Famer Phil Niekro (1939 His longevity was greatly aided by his reliance on the knuckleball, which puts far less stress on a pitcher's throwing arm than a standard repertoire of pitches.
WILBUR'S KNUCKLER IS ALIVE AND SWELL - Sports Illustrated 5/08 - initial page AKA This grip is also called knuckler, dancer, or floater. All images are property the copyright holder and are displayed here for informational purposes only. [39], One of the main proponents of this shooting technique was Brazilian playmaker Juninho Pernambucano, who popularised it in particular during his time with Lyon in the mid 2000s;[40] however, it is commonly thought to have been invented by compatriot Didi,[37][41][42] although Italian forward Giuseppe Meazza before him is also credited with using the technique. His total of 5,404+13 innings pitched is the most by any pitcher in the post-1920 live-ball era. Though Phil and Joe Niekro did twice team together, with the 1973-74 Braves and the 1985 Yankees, the two self-declared best friends were more often friendly rivals. Even a ball thrown without rotation will "flutter", due to the "apparent wind" it feels as its trajectory changes throughout its flight path.[5]. Phil Niekro, who rode his knuckleball to 318 wins and a spot in the Baseball Hall of Fame, has died at 81 of cancer. First called up by Milwaukee in 1964, Niekro seesawed between the majors and minors, a pitcher struggling to find a niche and willing catchers. "It actually giggles at you as it goes by," said former outfielder Rick Monday. Phil Niekro, 300-game winner and Hall of Famer, passed away on Dec. 26 at the age of 81. 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. December 27, 2020 Second stint with the Atlanta Braves (1987), New York Yankees Opening Day starting pitchers, List of Major League Baseball career wins leaders, List of Major League Baseball annual ERA leaders, List of Major League Baseball annual strikeout leaders, List of Major League Baseball annual wins leaders, List of Major League Baseball career hit batsmen leaders, List of Major League Baseball career strikeout leaders, List of Major League Baseball single-inning strikeout leaders, "20-Game Loser: Profiles of the 20-Loss Seasons", "Phil Niekro has never forgotten the Ohio Valley", "Phil Niekro Goes Home to Visit His Ailing Father", "Phil League Minor League Statistics and History", "Harris planning dual role for Phil Niekro", "Phil Niekro's illustrious career by the numbers", "Phil Niekro Signs 2-Year Yankee Pact (Published 1984)", "Road to 300: with Roger Clemens becoming the 21st pitcher to win 300 big league games, here are the stories of seven others who reached the same milestone", "Niekro Gets 300th Win a Shutout of Blue Jays", "YANKEES TRADED BAYLOR AND RELEASE PHIL NIEKRO", "Hall of Famer knuckleballer Phil Niekro dies at 81 | Sports | morningjournal.com", "SPORTS PEOPLE; Phil Niekro to Braves (Published 1987)", "Phil Niekro, who rode his knuckleball to the Hall of Fame, dies at 81", "No Spin Zone: Knuckleball master Phil Niekro to speak at Field of Dreams Banquet", "FresnoBee.com: Fresno Grizzlies: Niekro gets shot to pitch", "A Roster of MLB All-Stars Helped Raise Awareness for Prostate Cancer", "Legendary Braves pitcher Phil Niekro dies at age of 81", "Hall of Fame knuckleballer Niekro dead at 81", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Phil_Niekro&oldid=1138834006, Major League Baseball players with retired numbers, Louisville Colonels (minor league) players, American expatriate baseball players in Canada, Deaths from cancer in Georgia (U.S. state), Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, September 27,1987,for theAtlanta Braves, Career statistics and player information from, This page was last edited on 11 February 2023, at 22:10. 2. All four of these pitchers had a baseball WHIP below 1.35, which shows how effective they were at reducing hits and limiting walks per inning. The obituaries for Phil Niekro, who died of cancer at age 81 on Dec. 26, focused on his legendary knuckleball.In the Ohio Valley, the Appalachian mining country southwest of Pittsburgh where "Knucksie" grew up, the Hall of Famer is also remembered as a loyal friend, enthusiastic booster, and son and grandson of hardworking Polish coalminers who lived a thrilling American dream. The Hall of Fame knuckleballer died at 81 years old after a battle with cancer, his former team announced Sunday.
Phil Niekro, Hall of Fame knuckleballer, dead at 81 - New York Daily News He always represented his sport extraordinarily well, and he will be deeply missed. "He was a constant presence over the years, in our clubhouse, our alumni activities and throughout Braves Country and we will forever be grateful for having him be such an important part of our organization. Phil Niekro Phil is probably the best known knuckleball pitcher. According to Adair, the 150ms minimum human reaction time may be too slow to adjust to a knuckleball's changing direction.[2]. On August 26, the first time Victor Martinez caught Wakefield, he used a first baseman's glove, instead of a regular catcher's mitt. "[25] Uecker also said humorously of the pitch, "The way to catch a knuckleball is to wait until it stops rolling and pick it up. Win Expectancy, Run Expectancy, and Leverage Index calculations provided by Tom Tango of InsideTheBook.com, and co-author of The Book: Playing the Percentages in Baseball. [7] He pitched for several minor league teams at several levels for the next few years, appearing mostly as a relief pitcher. You can pitch seven good innings with a knuckleball, and as soon as you walk a guy they go, 'See, there's that damn knuckleball.'" 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. [1], In 1974, Niekro led the league in several pitching categories, including wins (20), complete games (18), and innings pitched (302.1). Talk about a weird assist: 253 on a strikeout. 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 died after a long fight with cancer, the team announced Sunday, Dec. 27, 2020. "We are . and he is still predominantly recognized as the premier knuckleball pitcher in the game's history. He would go on for two more decades living inside hitters' heads. 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 . I got to meet a lot of important people. Phil and Joe Niekro learned the pitch from their father, a Polish coal miner, and won a combined total of 539 games the most by two brothers in big league history.
What is a Knuckleball - Why is it Hard for Batters to Hit It? | TSR [10] This effect is increasing over time as the modern game continues to emphasize power in pitching and average pitch speed increases.[11]. Phil Niekro played 24 . 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. [1] He was released by the Yankees before the 1986 season started. Phil Niekro was one of thirty-seven men to take the field for the 1965 Milwaukee Braves, the last year they existed (1953-1965) before moving to Atlanta.When Knucksie hung up his cleats in 1987, he was the last active player from the former team.. Phil Niekro, on July 29, 1977, joined the 4 Strikeouts in 1 Inning "club" - the first (known / located) instance by a Braves pitcher. Niekro was the king of the knuckleballers, ranking first in victories and strikeouts (3,342). By the end of 1987, his final season, Niekro ranked 10th among major leaguers in number of seasons played. Niekro famously stayed away from his knuckleball on that day, using a combination of conventional off-speed pitches to get the first 26 outs. Seams catch on skin and send the ball spinning. On behalf of the Board of Directors and the staff of the National Baseball Hall of Fame, I would like to send our heartfelt condolences to Nancy Niekro and the Niekro family., Born April 1, 1939 in Blaine, Ohio, Philip Henry Niekro was taught the knuckler by his father. Phil Niekro, the Hall of Fame pitcher who confounded batters with his fluttering knuckleballs . in speed, and things like that." . For the 2012 documentary film, see, position players making pitching appearances, Game 5 of the 2004 American League Championship Series, "The Physics of Baseball: Knuckleball Research", "I am 2-time NL MVP Dale Murphy, former MLB player for the Braves, Phillies and Rockies. A knuckleball or knuckler is a baseball pitch thrown to minimize the spin of the ball in flight, causing an erratic, unpredictable motion. Over more than a decade of serving as a Member of the Board of Directors of the Hall of Fame, his wisdom, his compassion, and his love for the game proved to be invaluable in helping us shape our decisions. In 1979, the 40-year-old Niekro led the league in both wins (21) and losses (20). 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 . Associated Press. 300, entered the bottom of the ninth having shut out the Jays on curveballs, slip pitches, fastballs and screwballs -- everything but a knuckleball. Richard Drew / AP file. ATLANTA 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 died . We present them here for purely educational purposes. Phil Niekro was a legendary Hall of Fame pitcher known for his knuckleball pitch, who played for the Braves most of his career. As I discussed earlier, there are a few different ways to grip the knuckleball. Niekro learned his knuckler as a 12-year-old from his coal miner father in Ohio. Carroll would go on to become a two-time All-Star reliever for the Cincinnati Reds and would notch 143 saves over his career.
Niekro remembered for mastery of the knuckleball [6], Niekro signed with the Milwaukee Braves in 1959 for $250 ($2,324 in current dollar terms). The air flow over a seam of the ball causes the ball to change from laminar to turbulent flow. By adding a third finger, you make the process a lot more difficult. By ESPN.com news services. Failed to subscribe, please contact admin. Scores from any date in Major League history, Minor, Foreign, College, & Black Baseball, Frequently Asked Questions about MLB and Baseball, Subscribe to Stathead Baseball: Get your first month FREE. 1978 Topps #206 Strikeout Leaders Phil Niekro Nolan Ryan - Nice Card. (Parker Fish/National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum), Brothers Joe (left) and Phil Niekro squared off against one another on July 4, 1967 in a game won by Phil's Atlanta Braves against the Chicago Cubs, 8-3. Niekro, inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1997, was one of baseball's most prolific and durable pitchers, using his "butterfly" pitch to win 318 games in a career that spanned 24 seasons, including 21 with the Milwaukee/Atlanta Braves. He reinvented pitching by adding this slow, crazy moving pitch.
Hall Of Famer Phil Niekro, Known For His Knuckleball, Dies At 81 - NPR.org April 15, 1964 Brothers Joe (left) and Phil Niekro squared off against one another on July 4, 1967 in a game won by Phil's Atlanta Braves against the Chicago Cubs, 8-3. [27], Niekro was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1997, his fifth year of eligibility. [2] Other accounts attribute the pitch's creation to Charles H. Druery, a pitcher in the Blue Ridge League. You just have a relationship with it. (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. They all sit behind home plate.". Also featured are the stories of the best knuckleball catchers, from Bob Uecker and Doug Mirabelli to Rick Ferrell and Paul Richards.