Joe died of a brain aneurysm in 2006. 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. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. His 221 career wins make him one of the most successful knuckleball pitchers of all time. During his tenure, he got re-acquainted with the knuckleball that their father taught them. He (in 1967) and Bob Didier (1969) and the late Earl Williams (72) led the league in passed balls, a tribute to their working relationship with Niekro and his unpredictable pitch. When he arrived at Jesuit High School in Tampa, he realized the hospital where his father died sat beyond the baseball fields outfield fence, so he called his dad his angel in the outfield. At the Braves spring training complex player dorms which feature names and numbers of former players outside the rooms he is staying in the No. I got the big glove out again and was full of angst, I can tell you that. [6] He went 99 in 24 games pitched with a 2.82 ERA in 166 innings while striking out 77 batters and walking 47. December 27, 2020 Thats kind of weird, he thought. That year, he pitched in the World Series, his only appearance in a World Series. In addition, Phil played American Legion Baseball. 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. [22], A sidearm pitcher, his pitching featured the knuckleball, which frustrated major league hitters. Niekro was born in Blaine, Ohio, and grew up in Lansing, Ohio, the son of Henrietta (Klinkoski) and Philip Niekro. Niekro allowed six hits in a 71 Houston victory that propelled the Astros to their first postseason. Check out her best picks before buying anything. 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. 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. Joe, best known for his time with the Houston Astros franchise, pitched in parts of two seasons with Atlanta back in the '70s. Joseph Franklin Niekro (/nikro/ NEE-kroh; November 7, 1944 October 27, 2006) was an American Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. We got until one out in the ninth with a no-hitter. During a 22-year baseball career, he pitched from 1967 to 1988 for seven different teams, primarily for the Houston Astros. (We could be watching grass grow, and he could find a way to make you laugh, J.J. said). Do you have a blog? Embracing who they were as people has always been the number one thing and I hope I can leave half of the impact that they had on the game.. If youre shopping for top products on the market, here are the best 14 products the BestReviews Testing Lab loved in March. He married another Polish immigrant orphaned young, Henrietta Ivy Klinkoski. Niekro was a teammate in Spahns last year with the Braves, 1964, and Glavines first, in 1987. Some high school data is courtesy David McWater. His son believes his fathers talent mightve been overlooked. Niekro was born on April 1, 1939 in Blaine, Ohio, to a Jewish couple. J.J. felt like he also was saying goodbye to his dad, the moment he never got 14 years earlier. He did not throw his trademark knuckleball throughout the game until the final hitter;[13] to former AL MVP Jeff Burroughs. Phil Niekro had 3,342 strikeouts over his career. He was strong enough that I understood everything that he was saying. Niekro was inducted into Baseballs Hall of Fame in 1997. Talk about a weird assist: 253 on a strikeout. He struck out a career-high 130 batters while walking 64 and leading all of Major League Baseball with 19 wild pitches. Joe soon died of a brain aneurysm, leaving behind a family that included his brother, the now-late Braves Hall of Famer Phil Niekro. The elder Niekro passed it on to his son, who learned to grip the ball with his fingernails on the seams. He went through plenty of them in 24 seasons, 1964-87, 21 of those with the Milwaukee and Atlanta Braves. Just to say that Im a Niekro, I am in baseball and Im doing exactly what they thought I would be doing.. His first civics lesson? 12,204th in major league history) 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. His knuckleball led him to five All-Star selections, three 20-win seasons for the Atlanta Braves, the 300-win club, and ultimately, to Cooperstown. Jos sigue bateando: Jos Ramrez de los Guardianes comenz la temporada con una racha de 10 juegos bateando de hit. Vic Correll: I went on to the Reds after I left the Braves (1978). Im just going to swing as hard as I can. [11] In his three seasons with New York, he went 1415 with a 4.58 ERA in 188.2 total innings. WebNiekro was born in Blaine, Ohio, and grew up in Lansing, Ohio, the son of Henrietta (Klinkoski) and Philip Niekro. [1], In 1980 and 1981, he went 1518 and 77 while leading the league in games started (38) and losses (18) in 1980. On August 5, 1973, Niekro threw a no-hitter against the San Diego Padres, the first for the Braves since moving to Atlanta. The world was always slow to come around to the son of an Ohio coal miner. A bomb off the bat of Bob Horner. (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.). On behalf of Major League Baseball, I extend my condolences to Phils family, friends and the many fans he earned throughout his life in our National Pastime., Niekro was one of HOF's great ambassadors. His total of 5,404+13 innings pitched is the most by any pitcher in the post-1920 live-ball era. Its just being the best man you can possibly be on the baseball field, school, wherever it may be.. But to become the man they were and assume the Niekro characteristics, J.J. had to mature sooner than any kid should. Joe Torre: Talk about a nightmare, knowing he could pitch every game.. Niekro, born in Blaine, Ohio, on April 1, 1939, was the proud scion of a family dynasty of sorts. [1] That season, Phil and Joe Niekro were NL co-leaders in wins. Hall-of-Famer Phil Niekro, the greatest pitcher of the first quarter-century of Atlanta Braves baseball, died late Saturday at age 81. These are their memories of their pitcher who died the day after Christmas at the age of 81. After he was notified, Niekro said, "Giving a description of today's phone call is impossible. He said hes always been a bulldog on the mound, someone who attacks the zone and dares hitters to beat him. 1979 also saw the Niekro brothers tie for the wins leader in Major League Baseball, marking this the only year that two brothers shared this statistic. The elder Niekro passed it on to his son, who learned to grip the ball with his fingernails on the seams. Bob Uecker: He told me that he was ready. The baseball field where he played at Bridgeport High School's Perkins Field athletic complex was renamed "The Niekro Diamond" in 2008 after Phil and his brother, fellow major league pitcher Joe Niekro. He was the younger brother of pitcher Phil Niekro, and the father of former Major League first baseman Lance Niekro. 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. My son was excited to get this baseball card! When he won his 300th game as a Yankee, the story goes that he didnt throw his first knuckleball until the last hitter, striking out Jeff Burroughs on three of them. Its been a blast so far, J.J. Niekro said. WebA lot of folks are talking about Phil Niekro these days. The elder Niekro passed it on to his son, who learned to grip the The man was practically an historic landmark. The one who always made the world laugh when talking about his adventures with the knuckleball. Say goodbye to my dad, goodbye to my uncle, now its time to live out their tradition and legacy, J.J. said. 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. He was of Polish descent. Georgia Techs Kaleb Edwards to medically retire. He finished third in the voting for the Cy Young Award that year. What does that mean to your heart and your spirit as a friend and a teammate? Get the Android Weather app from Google Play, JENNIE: Augusta Players getting ready for Seussical, JENNIE: Downtown group plans April clean-up days, JENNIE: MCG Urogynecologist discusses intimate problems, JENNIE: Local chef expands creative talents to include, JENNIE: Golf Tournament for Easterseals East GA Autism, Niekro continues dominance, GreenJackets win again, Niekro, GreenJackets stay hot Friday night in Columbia, Baseball Hall of Famer, knuckleballer Phil Niekro, Our Testing Lab loved these 14 products in March, Cookware Mothers Day gifts for the foodie mom, Help your dog take the leap with the best dog steps, Plans to rebuild old skating rink and carpet shop, City leaders and water professionals encourage boating, Waynesboro Police Dept. So, it really helped me be thankful for an opportunity like this.. Joe passed away at the age of 61 in 2006 and Phil passed away following a long battle with cancer at the age of 81 in 2020. On the baseball field, Joe Niekro was an underdog. Phil Niekro Sr., a laborer and part-time semi-pro pitcher, had mastered the knuckler after an arm injury threatened to end his playing days. I certainly had a lot to do with that, but that wasnt the reason. Soon after Joe died, J.J. became much more protective of his mother, Debra. [9] On July 2, he won his 200th career game, throwing a complete game against the San Diego Padres while throwing seven innings and allowing two runs on six hits. Some are no longer with us, like the fellow who caught Niekros no-hitter in 1973 (Paul Casanova). The longtime stalwart of the Atlanta Braves rotation died after a lengthy fight with cancer, the team announced Sunday. They had gouges the size of a half-dollar. His uncle Phil, J.J. said, just loved baseball and could entertain anyone. We asked BestReviews cooking expert Andrea Boudewijn for her best recommendations for Mothers Day gifts. I try to keep the underdog mentality, the guy on the bottom of the totem pole, J.J. said. [1], From 1971 to 1973, he combined for a record of 4436. He was 81. All these years later, what else was there to do but laugh about it? Didnt make it as a starter until the following season. He finished sixth in Cy Young Award voting in both 1978 and 1979, and made his third All-Star appearance in 1978, as well as winning three consecutive Gold Glove Awards from 1978 to 1980. Hall of Fame. NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C. (WJBF) You wake up, youre a professional baseball player, youre a Brave, the team you wanted to be with your entire life, J.J. Niekro, son of longtime Major League pitcher Joe Niekro and nephew of Braves Hall of Famer Phil Niekro, said during a break while working out before Tuesday nights Augusta GreenJackets game. The youngest Niekro loves the game just as much as those who came before him. 6-1 , 180lb (185cm, 81kg) Born: April 1, 1939 in Blaine, OH. He gave Joe a day off., Bruce Benedict: I remember opposing hitters coming up to me and saying you know what, we only face him three or four times a year, Im not going to mess my swing up trying to hit this thing. I just take pride in the type of people they were, Niekro said. 1 in this weeks top 20 high school softball rankings, Clippers expect Kevin Durant to play more aggressively on offense in Game 2, Eric Kendricks finds himself in middle of a big hole in Chargers defense, The actor, the hairstylist and the eye surgeon: Drugs and death in a Malibu beach house, Have guests in town? Born on April 1, 1939, in Blaine, Ohio, Niekro learned the knuckleball with the help of his father, who taught both of his sons, Phil and Joe, the pitch between his shifts at the local coal mine. Just because Niekro threw an exotic pitch didnt mean that he was any less a proud athlete. WebKnuckleball paved Phil Niekro's path to Hall. In 1969, his first All-Star season, he had a 2313 season with a 2.56 ERA,[1] finishing second in the National League Cy Young award balloting to Tom Seaver. It meant the world to me.. Age discrimination, The Ultimate L.A. Bookshelf: 110 essential Los Angeles books, Hunter Renfroes three-run blast powers Angels to rain-disrupted win over Red Sox, Jalen Hurts agrees to five-year, $255-million extension with Eagles. us, Died: In 1980, Houston had a three-game lead over the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League West, then lost their last three games of the regular season in Los Angeles, to force a one-game playoff. 6-1 , 180lb (185cm, 81kg) Born: April 1, 1939 in Blaine, OH. The suburban Atlanta resident had a longtime battle with cancer. He took a tragic situation and turned it into, All right, this is my time to grow up earlier, Lance said. [5] He reached the 1,000 strikeout plateau on April 19, doing so on a strikeout bunt by Vance Law. Become a Stathead & surf this site ad-free. 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 Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. Is Jalen Carter the real deal or a potential NFL bust? All Rights Reserved. He was one of the nicest and most genuine guys you will ever know, Snitker said. Question, Comment, Feedback, or Correction? Many of J.Js friends dads offered their assistance. On the baseball field, Joe Niekro was an underdog. In all, a record 1,263 amateur free agents were chosen. He appeared in relief three times, earning two saves. Phil Niekro was elected into the Hall of Fame in 1997. Niekro would pitch four more seasons with three different teams, going 16-8 with the Yankees in 1984 and making his fifth All-Star team. For J.J., theyre Dad But I know I gave everything to the game.. Joe Torre: He was upset with me, I know. He finished the 1985 season with a 1612 record, the final time he won 15 or more games in a single season. 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. All images are property the copyright holder and are displayed here for informational purposes only. 5x Gold Glove. Rookie Status: Niekro said he was filing his nails in the dugout, but American League president Bobby Brown did not believe him, and ordered the 10-game suspension. In the beginning, Niekro broke in as a reliever in Milwaukee in 1965. Full-year historical Major League statistics provided by Pete Palmer and Gary Gillette of Hidden Game Sports. We both said almost at the same time it was really an honor to be a part of Niekros career that way. Phil Niekro attended Bridgeport High School with childhood neighbor John Havlicek, who was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1984. J.J., 23 years old, pitched in parts of five seasons at Florida Southern, a college located in Lakeland, Florida. He threw 122 innings in the next season and just 47 in the following. 1993 London England Josiah Wedgwood & Son Sterling Silver Earrings (#204285044490) e***f (1306) - Feedback left by buyer e***f (1306). Since 2009, Niekro had served as a member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museums Board of Directors, and no Hall of Famer was more immersed in Cooperstown than he was. I did the best I could to say I was sorry about that, but it certainly had nothing to do with the fact that I didnt stop his leaving. [7] He went 15-14 that year, having a 3.48 ERA while starting a league high 38 games and pitching 263.2 innings. That was our nickname for each other. Bob Uecker: In Triple-A, Im warming him up in the bullpen. Why did they chop the last mansion on Peachtree into pieces? Incredibly thankful to the Lord and so many others that have helped me in my career.". 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. "In the last century, no pitcher threw more than Phils 5,404 innings. Its just so cool. [17] Tschida revealed in 2021 that "[Joe] had a hunk of sandpaper trimmed and glued to the palm of his left hand. Niekro is survived by his wife, Nancy, sons Philip, John and Michael, and two grandchildren, Chase and Emma. [1], Between 1977 and 1979, Niekro was the league leader in complete games, innings pitched and batters faced. Although Phil Niekro Sr. did not live to see his son's election to the Hall, he did live more than long enough to know that his son won that 300th game. We have tools and resources that can help you use sports data. [1], On August 9, 1987, Niekro was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays for Darryl Landrum and a player to be named later,[17] who was later revealed to be Don Gordon. Even if I pitch the best game of my life, its like the next day, how do I come back? For his humanitarian service, Niekro was honored with the Lou Gehrig Award, Roberto Clemente Award and Brian Piccolo Award. [16] Steve Palermo was the umpire that spotted the flying objects. Both his parents died before he turned five. The legendary knuckleballer had Bats: Right Throws: Right. I remember (Hall of Fame second baseman Joe) Morgan came to the park one day and saw (Niekros) name in the lineup, and he went in and told (manager) Sparky Anderson he didnt want to hit off him cause it put him in a slump for two days. The SPORTS REFERENCE and STATHEAD trademarks are owned exclusively by Sports Reference LLC. Mark Bradley: Theres only one Knucksie, pitcher who died the day after Christmas at the age of 81, Phil Niekro is one of most-beloved Braves of all-time, Georgia Techs Kaleb Edwards to medically retire. For J.J., theyre Dad and Uncle Phil. "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.. Dog steps benefit all kinds of dogs, from toy breeds to dogs that shouldnt do a lot of jumping. (Voted by BBWAA on 380/473 ballots) His nephew, Lance (Joe's son), a first baseman for the Giants, is a legit contender for rookie of the year. The legendary knuckleballer had been battling cancer in recent years. The Book: Playing the Percentages in Baseball, Did not play in major or minor leagues (Military Service), Salaries may not be complete (especially pre-1985) and may not include some earned bonuses, Note, this is done in an automated way, so we apologize for any errors, & please. 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. This is my first call-up. J.J. signed with the Braves as a free agent and posted a 2.76 ERA over 16 innings in rookie ball. When I go to bed, one thing I really pride myself on is at the end of the day, when I lay my head down on the pillow, if I give everything I can to get better that day and Im not good enough, so be it, he said. He was of Polish descent. His longevity is attributed to his knuckleball, which is a difficult pitch to master but is easy on the arm and often baffles hitters due to its unpredictable trajectory. The previous record was 1,162 in 1967. [2] It was his third and final 20-win season and his second and final 20-loss season. After spending the first 20 seasons of his career with the Braves, Niekro signed a two-year deal with the Yankees. He blossomed into a dominant pitcher as he perfected his knuckleball in Houston, going 2111 in 1979 and 2012 in 1980, to become the first Astros pitcher to win 20 games in consecutive seasons. For fans, Joe and Phil Niekro are two of the most successful pitchers ever to play the game and the winningest brother duo in baseball history. In 1979, the 40-year-old Niekro led the league in both wins (21) and losses (20). Phil Niekro played for 5 teams; the Milwaukee Braves, Atlanta Braves, New York Yankees, Cleveland Indians and Toronto Blue Jays. 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. Joe played for the Braves, among the seven teams in his 22 major league seasons, and Lance had a brief stint in the minors with the organization. It was such a privilege.. 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. I just try to treat everyone the same way, J.J. said. Skoronskis short arm length being scrutinized for left tackle, 5 things we learned from Georgias G-Day game, 5 observations from Georgia Techs spring game, Max Fried dazzles in return as Braves beat Padres in series opener, Braves activate Max Fried, reliever Lucas Luetge hits injured list, AJC Braves Report podcast: Its six in a row for the Braves. Niekro is related to a pair of former Braves pitchers: he's the son of Joe and the nephew of Phil. He also made the National League All-Star team in 1979, a season in which he led the league with his 21 wins and five shutouts, won the TSN Pitcher of the Year Award, and ended second in voting for the Cy Young Award behind Bruce Sutter. Record 1,263 amateur free agents were chosen weba lot of folks are talking about his adventures with the Braves Niekro... Over 16 innings in rookie ball fellow who caught Niekros no-hitter in 1973 ( Paul )! Threw an exotic pitch didnt mean that he was one of the nicest guys I ever met in voting! 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