and he is still predominantly recognized as the premier knuckleball pitcher in the game's history. Sponsored. Phil Niekro owns one of, if not, the best knuckleball in MLB history. He reinvented pitching by adding this slow, crazy moving pitch. The SPORTS REFERENCE and STATHEAD trademarks are owned exclusively by Sports Reference LLC. Niekro's 318 career victories are the most by a knuckleballer and rank 16th on MLB's all-time wins list. On March 2, 2010, she trained with Tim Wakefield at the Boston Red Sox minor-league training facility. Many people, including pros, think that the pitch is thrown with fingertips dug into the seams. Niekro and his younger brother Joe amassed 539 wins between them, the most combined wins by brothers in baseball history. The obituaries for Phil Niekro, who died of cancer at age 81 on Dec. 26, focused on his legendary knuckleball.In the Ohio Valley, the Appalachian mining country southwest of Pittsburgh where "Knucksie" grew up, the Hall of Famer is also remembered as a loyal friend, enthusiastic booster, and son and grandson of hardworking Polish coalminers who lived a thrilling American dream. When I think of Phil Niekro, two things come to mind. He spent the next season with the Class AA Austin Senators. The origins of the knuckleball are unclear. Toad Ramsey of the Louisville Colonels in the old American Associationhis pitch likely resembled the knuckle curveand Eddie Cicotte of the Chicago White Sox, who in 1908 was nicknamed "Knuckles", are two possible creators of the pitch. I just didn't prepare myself this year. But there are overwhelming similarities between the grips of the great knuckleball pitchers; guys like Phil Niekro, Charlie Hough, Tom Candiotti, Tim Wakefield, RA Dickey and the like. Phil Niekro's big league career was never about speed. Hitting a knuckleball is different enough from other aspects of baseball that players specifically prepare for the pitch during batting practice before games they expect it in. [23], Among position players making pitching appearances, those who have utilized the knuckleball include Wade Boggs,[24][25] Danny Worth,[26] Alex Blandino,[27] and Ernie Clement. Phil Niekro was preceded in death by Joe Niekro, who suffered a fatal brain aneurysm in 2006. Another drawback is that runners on base can usually advance more easily than if a conventional pitcher is on the mound. All logos are the trademark & property of their owners and not Sports Reference LLC. The Yankees had fallen short of the postseason the day before with a loss in Toronto. Toad Ramsey, a pitcher from 1885 to 1890, is credited in some later sources with being the first knuckleballer, apparently based primarily on accounts of how he gripped the ball; however, based on more contemporary descriptions of his pitch as an "immense drop ball", it may be that his pitch was a form of knuckle curve. Phil Niekro shares a story with Braves fans during A Night at the Museum at the Hall of Fame. The resulting motion of the pitch more closely resembles a curveball, which explains the combination name. Regardless of how the ball is gripped, the purpose of the knuckleball is to have the least possible amount of rotational spin. Niekro remains the last MLB pitcher to win and lose 20 games in the same season, finishing 21-20 with the Braves in 1979. "I think the hardest thing for me is just the alone-ness that you feel sometimes because nobody else really does it," said Wakefield. In this March 29, 2007, file photo, Baseball Hall of Famer Phil Niekro holds a knuckleball at the Great Lakes Science Center in Cleveland. It is almost never used in a mixed repertoire today, however, and some believe that to throw the knuckleball effectively with some semblance of control over the pitch, one must throw it more or less exclusively. However, the Cardinals scored two late runs after Niekro left the game and would eventually sweep the series. Twenty years after he broke into the majors, 45-year-old starter Phil Niekro deals a knuckleball against the Chicago White Sox at Yankee Stadium, Aug. 8, 1984. Because the speed of any prospect's pitch is one of the quickest and easiest metrics in judging the skill of the prospect, the knuckleball, which is thrown slower than any other pitch, gets overlooked. The symbol of both the success and longevity of Niekro's career was the knuckleball, that whimsical floater that baffles not only hitters and catchers but also the pitchers who never really know how the rotationless pitch will dance toward the plate. Chris Haft. [14] Niekro struck Burroughs out to end the game. [1], Between 1977 and 1979, Niekro was the league leader in complete games, innings pitched and batters faced. [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. He found both in 1967, when he was united with Bob Uecker, a veteran reserve backstop with many quips and sage advice. [30] The "knuckleball catcher" is equipped with an oversized knuckleball catcher's mitt,[31] similar to a first baseman's glove; Doug Mirabelli, formerly of the Red Sox, used a softball catcher's mitt. De knuckleball is n van de worpen waarvan een honkbalwerper zich in een wedstrijd kan bedienen. Phil Niekro Phil is probably the best known knuckleball pitcher. Phil Niekro pitched a no-hitter in 1973 but his most memorable game with the Braves came in 1982, when the team started the season with 13 consecutive wins and . Phil Niekro, the Hall of Fame pitcher who confounded batters with his fluttering knuckleballs . I was not going to get myself so high. [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. We have tools and resources that can help you use sports data. He was a key contributor to the Braves winning their only two division titles before 1991. Niekro started Game One of the subsequent 1982 National League Championship Series against the St. Louis Cardinals and pitched well, but the game was called on account of rain just before it became official. [30], On December 26, 2020, Niekro died in his sleep at age 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 the Atlanta Braves, has died . (Brad Mangin/National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum), Using his trademark knuckleball to baffle hitters, Phil Niekro was named to five All-Star Games. The nice thing about Phil Niekro is, he doesn't look his age. Sun 27 Dec 2020 13.34 EST. He finished the 1985 season with a 1612 record, the final time he won 15 or more games in a single season. "We are heartbroken on the passing of our treasured friend, Phil Niekro," the Braves said in a statement. In 1979, Phil, pitching for the Braves, and Joe, for the Astros, tied for the most victories in the National League, with 21 each. He was 81. "Catching Niekro's knuckleball was great. AP2007. The ball completes between one-quarter and one-half a rotation on its way from the pitcher to the batter; the position of the stitches changes as the ball travels, affecting the drag that gives the ball its motion, thus making its flight erratic. Coaches are quick to banish the pitch after one bad outing. This couldnt be farther from the truth. However, young pitchers with smaller hands tend to throw the knuckleball with their knuckles. 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., Born April 1, 1939 in Blaine, Ohio, Philip Henry Niekro was taught the knuckler by his father. Phil Niekro achieved . Aug. 30, 1987 12 AM PT. They hold the record for most combined wins by siblings in a career with 539. [21] Mickey Jannis of the Baltimore Orioles organization also throws the knuckleball, and made his major league debut on June 23, 2021. Vic DeLucia/The New York Times. Instead, you will feel like it "shoots" out as the ball leaves your fingertips. He would go on for two more decades living inside hitters' heads. The grips of these guys are similar because they understand the basic rule for throwing a great knuckleball reduce as many variables as possible to put yourself into a position to give yourself a chance of killing the spin entirely. They all sit behind home plate." Bob Uecker During 24 big league seasons, Phil Niekro rode his knuckleball to 5,404 innings pitched - the most of any pitcher who started his career in the live ball era. [39], One of the main proponents of this shooting technique was Brazilian playmaker Juninho Pernambucano, who popularised it in particular during his time with Lyon in the mid 2000s;[40] however, it is commonly thought to have been invented by compatriot Didi,[37][41][42] although Italian forward Giuseppe Meazza before him is also credited with using the technique. 1978 Topps #206 Strikeout Leaders Phil Niekro Nolan Ryan - Nice Card. So thankful for our memories and time together. 5.0. The fingers that stabilize the ball shouldnt be on any seams. View Phil Niekro's Page at the Baseball Hall of Fame (plaque, photos, videos). Carroll would go on to become a two-time All-Star reliever for the Cincinnati Reds and would notch 143 saves over his career. 11/19/2013 added GIFs for Tim Wakefield, Charlie Hough and Phil Niekro 1/2/2013 added RA Dickey knuckleball slomotion from FanGraphs. The Boston Red Sox, in their 2004 world championship season, had Mirabelli regularly catching in place of Jason Varitek when Tim Wakefield was pitching. Phil Niekro pitched a no . Joe Niekro died in 2006 at age 61. Seams catch on skin and send the ball spinning. Data Provided By Phil, trying for a fifth time to win No. [50], This article is about the baseball pitch. "They may not be intimidated by them, but they sure are thinking about them before they go into the box.". "I got to meet a lot of important people. Between 1964 and 1987, Phil racked up 318 wins (the most by a knuckleball pitcher), struck out over 3,000 and had a ERA of 3.35. You can pitch seven good innings with a knuckleball, and as soon as you walk a guy they go, 'See, there's that damn knuckleball.'" By the end of 1987, his final season, Niekro ranked 10th among major leaguers in number of seasons played. Niekro was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1997 and served on the Museums Board of Directors since 2009. "Very few pitchers make a living throwing the knuckleball," says Sain, "simply because they can't make it work. On behalf of Major League Baseball, I extend my condolences to Phil's family, friends and the many fans he earned throughout his life in our National Pastime.".
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