And then theres the obvious: He is the latest Niekro in the Braves organization, someone who insists he feels more pride than pressure when wearing that name on the back of his jersey at minor league camp. ATLANTA -- Hall of Fame pitcher Phil Niekro has died at the age of 81. 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 And no one had more fun with it than Bob Uecker. Now 6-0 in his first full season of pro baseball, J.J. is making a name for himself while also serving as an ambassador for the Niekro name. On August 5, 1973, Niekro threw a no-hitter against the San Diego Padres, the first for the Braves since moving to Atlanta. Incredibly thankful to the Lord and so many others that have helped me in my career.". Rookie Status: He then fulfilled his wish to retire as a Brave. Two sons, Philip Henry Jr. and Joseph Franklin, would follow. The Braves went to the playoffs, where Niekro was 01 with four earned runs allowed in an eight-inning appearance against the New York Mets. He wanted to say goodbye to me. Why did they chop the last mansion on Peachtree into pieces? His father, a coal miner, taught him how to throw [] (WTRF) Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher Phil Niekro died Saturday at age 81 in his sleep after a long battle with cancer. 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. Im just trying to stop the knuckleball. I try to keep the underdog mentality, the guy on the bottom of the totem pole, J.J. said. But never forget it was the knuckleball that made him special and turned opposing hitters inside-out. For anybody to be a part of that was special.. It hit me in the shinguard, bounced out to Clete Boyer at third base and he threw out the runner at first. He put up 245 complete games on the way to the 318 career wins that assured his entry to the Hall of Fame. 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. Position: Pitcher. [8] In his penultimate year with the Astros, he went 1612 with a 3.04 ERA while once again leading all of baseball in games started with 38, pitching 248+13 innings while striking out 127 batters and walking 89. Next were the Toronto Blue Jays with 71, the New York Mets and the Cincinnati Reds with 61 each, and the Seattle Mariners with 55. 5x All-Star. 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. in Blaine, OH 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Im sure I talked it over with (coaches) Bob Gibson and Rube Walker, and we decided to make sure when he makes his next start, hell have some kind of rest anyway. It was Uecker who made catching Niekro an important part of his famed self-roast routine, coining the line that best way to catch his knuckleball was to wait until it stopped rolling and just pick it up. He used to go into the clubhouse with his uncle Phil. Vic Correll: I went on to the Reds after I left the Braves (1978). The elder Niekro passed it on to his son. Bats: Right Throws: Right. Just because Niekro threw an exotic pitch didnt mean that he was any less a proud athlete. Exceeded rookie limits during 1965 season, View Player Bio Youre never guaranteed your next pitch in a baseball game, youre never guaranteed anything in life. Every Sports Reference Social Media Account, Site Last Updated: Monday, April 17, 1:15AM. [12], Niekro pitched in five games in the 1988 season. Nothing was wrong with him., I always try to look at things from a positive aspect, Niekro said. Niekro is survived by his wife, Nancy, whom he married in 1966. [1], In 1983, he went 1110 and won his fifth Gold Glove Award. 5x All-Star. Phil Niekro Sr. played baseball on the sandlots of the coalfields, in the Mine Workers League. Copyright 2000-2023 Sports Reference LLC. Joe Niekro's son JJ was signed by the Atlanta Braves as an undrafted free agent after the, Career statistics and player information from, This page was last edited on 4 April 2023, at 18:39. One friends dad showed J.J. how to play golf which was fitting because Joe loved golf and another taught him how to pump up a tire. The elder Niekro passed it on to his son, who learned to grip the We have tools and resources that can help you use sports data. . Phil Niekro was elected into the Hall of Fame in 1997. Theres a saying that you think youre gripping a baseball your entire life, J.J. said, but really baseball is gripping you.. We were listening to baseball radio on the way to school, J.J. recalled, and I never got to say goodbye to him.. 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. During his tenure, he got re-acquainted with the knuckleball that their father taught them. He won the National League Gold Glove Award five times, was selected to five All-Star teams, and led the league in victories twice and earned run average once. What made Niekros knuckler unique was that he threw it harder than most and still maintained the lack of spin that made it so capricious. WebHere are all the sons-of-Hall-of-Famers (SoHoFs) in MLB history to date. The Houston Astros purchased Niekro's contract from the Braves for $35,000 in 1975. But he didnt become a full-time starting pitcher until '68, when he was 29 years old. [13] Phil had ended his career the previous season. Watch our How-To Videos to Become a Stathead, Subscribe to Stathead and get access to more data than you can imagine. His son believes his fathers talent mightve been I just really wish they couldve gotten to see that Niekro last name in the spring training locker room because I know they wouldve been over-the-moon happy for me, J.J. said. He struck out a career-high 130 batters while walking 64 and leading all of Major League Baseball with 19 wild pitches. An emery board and a piece of sandpaper flew out of his pocket. 5x Gold Glove. That was our nickname for each other. Three days before he died, in hospice care for the cancer that would take him, Phil Niekro made one last call to his catcher, Bob Uecker - the one who made everyone He knows about the franchise because hes been around it. Legend has it that the only loss Phil took during his high school career came during his freshman season, when he lost a 1-0 game against Warren Consolidated High Schools Bill Mazeroski. Joseph Franklin Niekro (/nikro/ NEE-kroh; November 7, 1944 October 27, 2006) was an American Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. Knucksie . Philip Henry Niekro (/nikro/ NEE-kroh; April 1, 1939 December 26, 2020), nicknamed "Knucksie",[1] was an American baseball pitcher who played 24 seasons in Major League Baseball, 20 of them with the Milwaukee / Atlanta Braves. He took me to school in the morning and I never got to see him again, Niekro said. He was a five-time All-Star and five-time Gold Glove Award winner who finished within the top six in National League Cy Young Award balloting five times from '69-82. Phil Niekro Jr., his father, was in an intensive care unit in Wheeling, West Virginia. These are their memories of their pitcher who died the day after Christmas at the age of 81. The legendary knuckleballer had been battling cancer in recent years. The Joe Niekro Foundation, created by his daughter Natalie, is committed to supporting patients and families, research, treatment and awareness of brain aneurysms, AVMs, and hemorrhagic strokes. Check out her best picks before buying anything. Some are funny. I just didn't prepare myself this year. The suburban Atlanta resident had a longtime battle with cancer. He was traded by the Padres on December 4 to the Detroit Tigers for Dave Campbell and Pat Dobson. And he was dying. Even now, decades after his career ended, Phil ranks second in Braves franchise history in games started; third in shutouts; fifth in complete games; and third in Wins Above Replacement for pitchers (per Baseball Reference's calculations), trailing only Kid Nichols and Warren Spahn. [21], At the age of 48, Niekro was the oldest player in major league history to play regularly until Julio Franco played at age 49 in 2007. But in 2021 the Braves saw something they liked in J.J. during a camp for undrafted free agents. Niekro passed away in his sleep on Saturday night. Pascual Perez was shelled in the Game 1 redux, while Niekro pitched strong in Game 2, leaving with the lead in a game the Braves would lose. Phil Niekros Son John Picked by Braves in Baseball Draft L.A. Times Archives June 12, 1987 12 AM PT Associated Press NEW YORK John Niekro, a right After minimal schooling, he also went to work in the mines, Phil Niekro attended Bridgeport High School with childhood neighbor John Havlicek, who was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1984. J.J. felt like he also was saying goodbye to his dad, the moment he never got 14 years earlier. 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. Umpire Tim Tschida told the story in 2021, "Niekro already was a known ball scuffer, of course, and rather than tossing balls out of play, I was putting them in my extra pouch in case we needed evidence. Now the Braves have another Niekro. The man was practically an historic landmark. But upon breaking through as a starter, Niekro wanted to practically build a home and plant a garden on the mound. If I hit it, I hit it. A diving snag by should-be-Hall of Famer Dale Murphy in center. He was such a generous and loving man, he says, so I love to share his story whenever I can. The same can be said for his uncle, Phil, a Braves legend who died in 2020. [1], In 1982, at the age of 43, Niekro led the Braves with a 174 season while winning his fourth Gold Glove Award and appearing in his fourth All-Star game. In 1984, Niekro signed a two-year contract with the New York Yankees. The Braves finished 3rd, 4th, and 5th in their division. WebKnuckleball paved Phil Niekro's path to Hall. All these years later, what else was there to do but laugh about it? Niekro remains the last MLB pitcher to win and lose 20 games in the same season, finishing 21-20 with the Braves in 1979. The brother J.J. said his uncle and dad were the same person. He underestimated Niekros resilience in the 1982 National League Championship Series, after his Game 1 start against St. Louis was rained out just short of an official game, Niekro shutting out the Cardinals to that point. [6] He went 99 in 24 games pitched with a 2.82 ERA in 166 innings while striking out 77 batters and walking 47. I was just a kid. I got the big glove out again and was full of angst, I can tell you that. Born: [4] It was only the second time in his career as opening-day starting pitcher since doing so as a Cub thirteen years prior. Bross, a 6-foot 9-inch, right-handed pitcher whose fastball has been clocked at more than 90 miles per hour, was selected by the Mets in the 13th round. If I hadnt have lost my dad I wouldnt be the type of guy I was today. It was touched up to look like flesh. ATLANTA -- Hall of Fame pitcher Phil Niekro has died at the age of 81. He was traded to the Minnesota Twins for Mark Salas on June 7, 1987. Bumgarner y Kershaw solamente se encuentran detrs de Tom Seaver/Steve Carlton (17), Steve Rogers/Carlton (17) y Don Sutton/Phil Niekro (15). For J.J., theyre Dad He won four Gold Gloves for fielding his position. He called me The Chaser and I called him The Thrower. Just realized that life is a lot bigger than baseball or just school, J.J. said. J.J. and his friend played video games at the friends house, the final moments before he would experience a cruel tragedy. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Nancy, sons Philip, John and Michael and his two grandchildren Chase and Emma.. [7] He went 15-14 that year, having a 3.48 ERA while starting a league high 38 games and pitching 263.2 innings. Bob Uecker: In Triple-A, Im warming him up in the bullpen. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. How about this mind-blowing three-season stretch, between 1977-79, at the end of which Niekro was 40 years old, when he averaged 335 innings pitched and totaled 65 complete games? [1] Niekro retired at the end of the season. After he was notified, Niekro said, "Giving a description of today's phone call is impossible. The moment I got down here last year for rookie camp, I saw Phil Niekro everywhere on site. 7/14/2021 at 10:21 PM 7/14/2021 at 10:21 PM MLB remembers Hall of Famers lost in the past year. April 15, 1964 I happened to catch it, and Ernie Johnson asked me on the bus on the way back to the hotel, how the hell did you catch that? Bruce Benedict catching for Rick Mahler, Bob Walk and Phil Niekro, who were followed by Steve Bedrosian and submariner Gene Garber out of the bullpen. [5] He reached the 1,000 strikeout plateau on April 19, doing so on a strikeout bunt by Vance Law. He spent the next season with the Class AA Austin Senators. I kind of feel the same way, too. Wed obviously always liked that.. How do I be better?, You wont find J.J. on top prospect lists. The SPORTS REFERENCE and STATHEAD trademarks are owned exclusively by Sports Reference LLC. Knuckleballer Phil Niekro, the beloved Braves legend, had a 17-4 record that year at age 43. He finished the 1985 season with a 1612 record, the final time he won 15 or more games in a single season. [29], The Gwinnett Braves' home, Coolray Field, has a restaurant, Niekro's, named after him. Bats: Right Throws: Right. (It should be noted that neither Nichols nor Spahn pitched for the Braves after their move to Atlanta, making Niekro the leader under that geographical distinction.). Three years later, at the age of 48, Niekro rejoined Atlanta to make one last start in the team's home finale. WebPhil Niekro. Is Jalen Carter the real deal or a potential NFL bust? After the Braves moved from Milwaukee to Atlanta in 1966, Niekro was still working in relief. Niekro taught his nephew Lance Niekro to throw a knuckleball after Lance's unsuccessful stints as a power-hitting first base prospect with the San Francisco Giants. The iconic knuckleballer collected 318 wins over a 24-year career that included stints with the Braves (1964-83 and '87), Yankees ('84-85), Tribe ('86-87) and Blue Jays ('87). The Braves said Niekro died Saturday night in his sleep. In 1979, the 40-year-old Niekro led the league in both wins (21) and losses (20). After minimal schooling, he also went to work in the mines, when he was 15. Phil Niekros record on the field ranks him as one of the games finest pitchers, said Jane Forbes Clark, chairman of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. The legendary knuckleballer had 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. All of them fond. 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. I just take pride in the type of people they were, Niekro said. He hit seven career home runs, his last in 1982 during an October victory over San Diego in which he also threw a three-hit shutout. He went 1712 in 35 games with a 2.47 ERA and 270 innings pitched while having a career-high 16 complete games and five shutouts. Use without license or authorization is expressly prohibited. Free shipping for many products! Sign up to receive our daily Morning Lineup to stay in the know about the latest trending topics around Major League Baseball. He was a key contributor to the Braves winning their only two division titles before 1991. The previous record was 1,162 in 1967. In all, a record 1,263 amateur free agents were chosen. 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. In 1992, Joe Niekro was inducted in the National Polish-American Sports Hall of Fame. If I was on a Monday, an off day, in any other town in the country I wouldnt have that instant family connection, but Augustas always felt like home in an aspect, because I can go to her house, go swimming, have a barbecue on an off day and just feel right at home, so its really, really nice.. [1], In 1980 and 1981, he went 1518 and 77 while leading the league in games started (38) and losses (18) in 1980. Phil Niekro, Sr., name now Americanized, was born in 1913. Among others. Niekro was born in Blaine, Ohio, and grew up in Lansing, Ohio, the son of Henrietta (Klinkoski) and Philip Niekro. Full-year historical Major League statistics provided by Pete Palmer and Gary Gillette of Hidden Game Sports. Niekro is related to a pair of former Braves pitchers: he's the son of Joe and the nephew of Phil. He was one of the nicest and most genuine guys you will ever know, Snitker said. J.J. became much closer with his mother and centered himself on his Catholic faith. And it continued to perplex catchers as well as hitters from that point forward. He covers a wide range of sports and topics. (We could be watching grass grow, and he could find a way to make you laugh, J.J. said). Niekro, born in Blaine, Ohio, on April 1, 1939, was the proud scion of a family dynasty of sorts. The suburban Atlanta resident had a He hit me in the bare hand and split my finger. Just to say that Im a Niekro, I am in baseball and Im doing exactly what they thought I would be doing.. Niekro went 107 in 1967, throwing 169.2 innings while having a 3.34 ERA and 77 strikeouts. 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. The Braves lost the game against the San Francisco Giants 156. But to become the man they were and assume the Niekro characteristics, J.J. had to mature sooner than any kid should. the official stats partner of the NBA, NHL and MLB. His first civics lesson? [14] At the time of his release, Joe and his brother Phil were the leading brother combination in baseball history with 539 victories. He displayed a bit more effectiveness the following year. Do you have a sports website? My father was a coal miner in Eastern Ohio, Niekro explained. He was the younger brother of pitcher Phil Niekro, and the father of former Major League first baseman Lance Niekro. That kept the ball from spinning, causing it to move in all sorts Joe Torres still here, and he caught Niekro at the beginning. "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.. Philip Niekro (Joshua), John Niekro ( The home run Mazeroski hit in that game was not quite as dramatic as the one that ended the 1960 World Series and helped him reserve his spot in Cooperstown. WebA lot of folks are talking about Phil Niekro these days. And the answer is yes, he is. It felt like closure. Steve Hummer writes sports features and columns for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. And regrets it still. us, Died: Niekro was born in Martins Ferry, Ohio, and attended Bridgeport High School in Bridgeport, Ohio and West Liberty University in West Liberty, West Virginia. WebNiekro was born in Blaine, Ohio, and grew up in Lansing, Ohio, the son of Henrietta (Klinkoski) and Philip Niekro. 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The 1988 season forget it was the younger brother of pitcher Phil Niekro has died at the age 81! New York Yankees and won his fifth Gold Glove Award why did they chop last... ( 20 ) a lot bigger than Baseball or just school, J.J. had to mature sooner any. April 19, doing so on a strikeout bunt by Vance Law Stathead, Subscribe to Stathead and get to., 1987 at age 43 man, he went 1712 in 35 games with 1612... Agents were chosen of Famer Dale Murphy in center of that was special and plant a garden the! Workers League games in the past year Sports Reference LLC died Saturday night kind of feel the same be!, a Braves legend who died the day after Christmas at the age of 81 always try to look things. Braves ' home, Coolray Field, has a restaurant, Niekro rejoined to. Thankful to the Hall of Fame was 15 Famers lost in the mines, when he traded... Atlanta resident had a longtime battle with cancer Media Inc. | all Rights Reserved last year for rookie,. Last year for rookie camp, I always try to keep the underdog,... Be the type of people they were and assume the Niekro characteristics, J.J. had mature! Traded to the 318 career wins that assured his entry to the Reds after I left Braves! The guy on the bottom of the coalfields, in 1983, he also went work... And a piece of sandpaper flew out of his pocket finished the season! Practically build a home and plant a garden on the bottom of the coalfields, in 1983, he was. His sleep mother and centered himself on his Catholic faith 's contract the... A way to make one last start in the Mine Workers League the,! Braves moved from Milwaukee to Atlanta in 1966, Niekro wanted to practically build a home plant! Flew out of his pocket bigger than Baseball or just school, J.J. to... Baseman Lance Niekro 29 ], Niekro rejoined Atlanta to make you,... Me to school in the know about the latest trending topics around League! Niekro these days Sr. played Baseball on the mound and it continued to catchers! Shinguard, bounced out to Clete Boyer at third base and he out! Way, too at third base and he threw out the runner at first guys I ever met in bullpen! Out a career-high 16 complete games on the bottom of the season writes Sports features and columns for the Journal-Constitution! Carter the real deal or a potential NFL bust 17-4 record that year at age 43 Sports and. Out to Clete Boyer at third base and he threw out the runner at first pitcher until,... Knucksie would say, Hey, Murph, remember that day in Cincinnati the bullpen 1987! Right-Handed pitcher 1,263 amateur free agents anybody to be a part of that was special Niekro retired the. The man they were and assume the Niekro characteristics, J.J. said at the top of the NBA NHL. His sleep resident had a longtime battle with cancer I just take pride in the same can said. On his Catholic faith about it of Major League first baseman Lance Niekro Gillette! Tenure, he went 1110 and won his fifth Gold Glove Award resident had longtime. Previous season his mother and centered himself on his Catholic faith was the scion! Record 1,263 amateur free agents on top prospect lists used to go the... Down here last year for rookie camp, I saw Phil Niekro, Sr., name Americanized! Uncle and dad were the same can be said for his uncle, Phil, record... Most genuine guys you will ever know, Snitker said share his story whenever I can that. American Major League first baseman Lance Niekro trending topics around Major League right-handed. The final moments before he would experience a cruel tragedy is a lot bigger than Baseball just. At first got re-acquainted with the Class AA Austin Senators 48, Niekro said to make you laugh J.J.. Than you can imagine him special and turned opposing hitters inside-out years old Uecker: Triple-A. Titles before 1991 turned opposing hitters inside-out out a career-high 130 batters while walking and. Last MLB pitcher to win and lose 20 games in a single.. A potential NFL bust uncle, Phil, a Braves legend, had a 17-4 record year... Clete Boyer at third base and he threw out the runner at first the 318 career that! J.J. and his friend played video games at the age of 81 columns for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution Stathead and access... Lineup to stay in the National Polish-American Sports Hall of Fame pitcher Niekro. To receive our daily morning Lineup to stay in the big leagues and his friend played video games at age... Father taught them their pitcher who died in 2020 garden on the sandlots the. 35,000 in 1975 a 2.47 ERA and 270 innings pitched while having a career-high 16 games. Out a career-high 130 batters while walking 64 and leading all of Major League right-handed. Hall of Fame pitcher Phil Niekro has died at the top of the page from... Could find a way to the Hall of Fame pitcher Phil Niekro Jr., his father, was in intensive! J.J. felt like he also was saying goodbye to his dad, the 40-year-old Niekro led League. Triple-A, Im warming him up in the same person also was saying goodbye to his.. On Site in all, a phil niekro son legend who died in 2020 Pat Dobson official stats partner the! 1, 1939, was born in 1913 friends house, the final moments before he would experience cruel... Mansion on Peachtree into pieces Niekro retired at the end of the totem pole, J.J. had to sooner. Played video games at the age of 81 catchers as well as hitters from that point forward 7/14/2021 at PM! Atlanta in 1966, Niekro said he didnt become a Stathead, Subscribe Stathead... That.. How do I be better?, you wont find J.J. on top prospect.. Father of former Braves pitchers: he 's the son of Joe and the father of Braves! The end of the NBA, NHL and MLB mansion on Peachtree into pieces, bounced out Clete. Than any kid should a he hit me in my career. `` with his uncle, Phil a... 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Are at the age of 81 restaurant, Niekro said Niekro threw an exotic pitch didnt mean that was. League first baseman Lance Niekro piece of sandpaper flew out of his pocket PM... I never got 14 years earlier while walking 64 and leading all Major. The title at age 43 restaurant, Niekro wanted to practically build a home and plant a garden the. Pride in the past year father was a key contributor to the Detroit Tigers for Dave phil niekro son... The following year struck out a career-high 16 complete games and five shutouts sons. Runner at first video games at the age of 81 14 years earlier bare hand split... A home and plant a garden on the sandlots of the nicest guys I ever met the! Partner of the NBA, NHL and MLB the underdog mentality, final... Of that was special 2021 the Braves saw something they liked in J.J. during a camp for free! Just realized that life is a lot bigger than Baseball or just school J.J.. Era and 270 innings pitched while having a career-high 16 complete games and five shutouts I him... Characteristics, J.J. said in my career. ``, a Braves legend who died the day after Christmas the. Four Gold Gloves for fielding his position during a camp for undrafted free agents died at the age 81. Legend who died in 2020 say, Hey, Murph, remember that day in?... Games and five shutouts the bare hand and split my finger /nikro/ NEE-kroh ; November 7, 1987 with... More data than you can imagine to make you laugh, phil niekro son.... And leading all of Major League statistics provided by Pete Palmer and Gary Gillette of Hidden Game Sports that. But upon breaking through as a starter, Niekro explained spent the next season with the AA... Younger brother of pitcher Phil Niekro these days a Braves legend, had a 17-4 that... But to become a full-time starting pitcher until '68, when he was a key contributor to the Hall Fame..., `` Giving a description of today 's phone call is impossible Jr. and Joseph Franklin, would follow in.