Hall of Fame pitcher Phil Niekro, famous for signature knuckleball, dies at 81ESPN
Phil Niekro, a pitcher who used his signature knuckleball to fool generations of hitters and 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, including 21 with the Milwaukee/Atlanta Braves.
"We are heartbroken on the passing of our treasured friend, Phil Niekro," the Braves said in a 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.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Nancy, sons Philip, John and Michael and his two grandchildren Chase and Emma."
Niekro's sweet Hall of Fame induction speech in 1997:
Error 404 (Not Found)!!1A story: When Niekro was a Yankee, his manager for a time was Lou Piniella. One night on the road, Piniella and some friends were having late drinks in the hotel bar when the party saw Niekro returning to the hotel. When asked whether Niekro was past the team's road curfew, Piniella chuckled. "Aw, hell, I can't tell Knucksie to go to bed," he said. "He's
older than I am!"
RIP to a great pitcher and a good man.
Unfortunately, that makes seven Hall of Famers who've gone to the Elysian Fields this year. (Including four pitchers: Niekro, Whitey Ford, Bob Gibson, and Tom Seaver. Bet you could win a pennant with a rotation like that!) If the Modern Era Committee elects Dick Allen to the Hall of Fame next year, it'll make eight. (Allen died on 8 December.)