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taken from the National Baseball Hall of Fame
website
Phil Niekro
Philip Henry Niekro
Knucksie
Induction Information
Elected to Hall of Fame by Baseball Writers in 1997, Player
380 votes on 473 ballots 80.34%
Hall of Fame plaque for Phil Niekro
Born: April 1, 1939, in Blaine, Ohio
ML Debut: 4/15/1964
Primary Position: Pitcher
Bats: R Throws: R Primary Uniform #: 35
Played For: Milwaukee Braves (1964-1965),
Atlanta Braves (1966-1983, 1987), New York Yankees (1984-1985),
Cleveland Indians (1986-1987), Toronto Blue Jays (1987)
Primary Team: Atlanta Braves
Post-Season: 1969 NLCS, 1982 NLCS
Awards: All-Star (5): 1969, 1975, 1978, 1982 and 1984; Gold
Glove (5): 1978-1980, 1982-1983
Pitching
Bio
During a 24-year career, Phil Niekro relied not on velocity-but on
a fluttering knuckleball-to frustrate major league hitters. His
lifetime record of 318-274 produced a winning percentage
significantly higher than those teams for which he pitched. "Knucksie"
twice led the National League in wins and propelled Atlanta to the
National League West title in 1969, when he recorded 23 victories,
21 complete games and a 2.57 ERA. A five-time All-Star, he no-hit
the Padres on August 5, 1973, and later managed the all-women
Colorado Silver Bullets baseball team.
Quote
"Trying to hit him is like trying to eat Jell-O with
chopsticks."
— Bobby Murcer
Did You Know... that Phil Niekro, a
five-time Gold Glove Award winner, won 121 games after he turned
40, the most wins by anyone over that age in baseball history?
Hall of Fame Teammate:
Hank Aaron
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