Phil Niekro

Phil Niekro
Phil Niekro
	Niekro with the Atlanta Braves in 1974
	Pitcher
	Born: April 1, 1939; Blaine, Ohio, U.S.
	Died: December 26, 2020 (aged 81); Flowery Branch, Georgia, U.S.
	Batted: Right Threw: Right
MLB debut
	April 15, 1964, for the Milwaukee Braves
Last MLB appearance
	September 27, 1987, for the Atlanta Braves
MLB statistics
Win–loss record	318–274
Earned run average	3.35
Strikeouts	3,342
	Stats at Baseball Reference
Teams
	Milwaukee / Atlanta Braves (1964–1983); New York Yankees (1984–1985); Cleveland Indians (1986–1987); Toronto Blue Jays (1987); Atlanta Braves (1987);
Career highlights and awards
	5× All-Star (1969, 1975, 1978, 1982, 1984); 5× Gold Glove Award (1978–1980, 1982, 1983); Roberto Clemente Award (1980); 2× NL wins leader (1974, 1979); MLB ERA leader (1967); NL strikeout leader (1977); Pitched a no-hitter on August 5, 1973; Atlanta Braves No. 35 retired; Braves Hall of Fame;
Member of the National
Baseball Hall of Fame
Induction	1997
Vote	80.3% (fifth ballot)

Philip Henry Niekro (/ˈniːkroʊ/ NEE-kroh; April 1, 1939 – December 26, 2020), nicknamed "Knucksie",^[1] was an American baseball pitcher who played 24 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Milwaukee/Atlanta Braves, Cleveland Indians, New York Yankees and Toronto Blue Jays. Niekro is generally regarded as the greatest knuckleball pitcher of all time.^[2]^[3]^[4]

During his career, Niekro was selected to five All-Star teams, led the National League in victories twice (in 1974 and 1979), led the major leagues in earned run average once (in 1967), and won the National League Gold Glove Award five times. As of 2024, Niekro ranks 16th on MLB's all-time wins list with 318 career victories;^[5] as of 2024, he is the only knuckleballer to win 300 or more major league games.^[3] Niekro and his younger brother Joe amassed 539 wins between them; as of 2013, the Niekros had the most combined wins by brothers in baseball history.^[6] As of 2023, Niekro also holds the major league record with 121 career victories after the age of 40.^[7]

Niekro was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1997.

^ Cite error: The named reference BR was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Kepner, Tyler (December 28, 2020). "Saying Goodbye to the Knuckleball, and Its Master". The New York Times.
^ ^a ^b Adler, David (January 4, 2022). "Here are the best knuckleballers of all time". MLB.com.
^ Sibor, Douglas (May 12, 2012). "MLB: Ranking the 10 Greatest Knuckleballers of All Time". Bleacher Report.
^ "Career Leaders & Records for Wins". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 13, 2013.
^ Mead, Doug (May 7, 2012). "25 Best Brother Pitching Acts in MLB History". Bleacher Report.
^ Haft, Chris (April 1, 2022). "Knuckleball paved Phil Niekro's path to Hall". MLB.com.

[BR-1] Cite error: The named reference BR was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[2] Kepner, Tyler (December 28, 2020). "Saying Goodbye to the Knuckleball, and Its Master". The New York Times.

[auto2-3] Adler, David (January 4, 2022). "Here are the best knuckleballers of all time". MLB.com.

[4] Sibor, Douglas (May 12, 2012). "MLB: Ranking the 10 Greatest Knuckleballers of All Time". Bleacher Report.

[5] "Career Leaders & Records for Wins". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 13, 2013.

[6] Mead, Doug (May 7, 2012). "25 Best Brother Pitching Acts in MLB History". Bleacher Report.

[auto1-7] Haft, Chris (April 1, 2022). "Knuckleball paved Phil Niekro's path to Hall". MLB.com.

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