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

[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.