Hall of Fame pitcher Phil Niekro, famous for signature knuckleball, dies at 81

[Polybius]

Source: ESPN

Phil Niekro, a pitcher who used his signature knuckleball to fool generations of hitters as well as craft a Hall of Fame career, died Saturday night in his sleep after a long battle with cancer, the Atlanta Braves announced Sunday. He was 81.

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, 20 of those years with the Milwaukee/Atlanta Braves.

"We are heartbroken on the passing of our treasured friend, Phil Niekro," said the Braves in a prepared statement. "Knucksie was woven into the Braves fabric, first in Milwaukee and then in Atlanta. Phil baffled batters on the field and later was always the first to join in our community activities. It was during those community and fan activities where he would communicate with fans as if they were long lost friends.

"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.

Read more: https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/30605849/hall-fame-pitcher-phil-niekro-famous-signature-knuckleball-dies-81

---

RIP!

[cojoel]

1. Applicable quote from Richie Hebner

"Hitting Niekro's knuckleball is like eating soup with a fork."

[Journeyman]

2. Former Brave's catcher Bob Uecker knew how to catch Niekro's knuckleball . . .

"You wait'll it stops rolling, then go pick it up."

[mobeau69]

3. Good one.

[underpants]

4. Very funny

[gademocrat7]

5. Rest In Peace, Knucksie

He was a favorite here in Atlanta.

[Jeebo]

6. Phil Niekro pitched a no-hitter in 1973, and I was there.

It was Sunday, August 5, 1973. The Braves blanked the San Diego Padres at Atlanta Fulton County Stadium 9-0. I was so thrilled that I actually got to witness a no-no. Years later I started playing those lottery numbers. 1-3-5-7-8-19. 1 for Sunday, the first day of the week. 3 for the 3 in 1973. 5 for the fifth day of the month. 7 for the 7 in 1973. 8 for August, the eighth month. 19 for the 19 in 1973. I've been keeping those numbers covered in every drawing of the Missouri Lotto for 30 years now. One of these days they'll hit.

-- Ron

[VA_Jill]

7. RIP, Knucksie

I wish I could remember all the jokes from Skip Caray and Ernie...

[BeyondGeography]

8. He spent some time with the Yanks when the Braves screwed up and let him go

Then again, he was 45 years old. He looked almost grandfatherly on the mound. But when the knuckler was working, which, as you can tell from his 84-85 stats, was still quite often, he was in charge. And he always got the most out his stuff. When he’d get down in the count and be forced throw his 80-something “fastball,” he’d quick-pitch it a little bit and the ball would be perfectly located. Guts and guile all the way.

[Brother Buzz]

9. Trying to hit Phil Niekro is like trying to eat jello with chopsticks.

Sometimes you get a piece but most of the time you get hungry." - Bobby Murcer

[pecosbob]

10. I watched him throw more games than I can remember

[ProfessorGAC]

11. Bye, Phil

Guy could pitch for 48 hours straight if he had to.
For those baseball folks digging the knuckler, there is fun documentary called Knuckleball from 2012.
Phil is in it talking with Tim Wakefield.
I recommend it.

[Brother Buzz]

12. Was Jim Bouton in it?

Jim started focusing on the Knuckleball with the Portland Mavericks after he was blackballed from MLB for writing 'Ball Four'.


Here's Jim Bouton on Johnny Carson. It's a wonderfully amusing interview, and he discusses how he learned the knuckelbal from a cereal box (he learned the three finger grip) (around 5:40)

[ProfessorGAC]

13. Yes, A Little

Among the old pitchers, there's much more with Phil & Charlie Hough.
Wakefield & Dickey are the guys still playing in that movie's filming year.
There's one whole segment with Dickey & Phil doing a conversation. Probably 10-12 minutes of the movie.
There's a lot on Wakefield pursuing his 200th win, to become the only guy with 200 wins & more than 200 saves.
It's a very fun movie if you're into baseball.

[twodogsbarking]

14. His brother Joe played in the majors

and Joe's son did too. For those who may not know a knuckleball doesn't spin and it looks wild coming at you.