The knuckleball is radically different from any other pitch in a pitcher's arsenal, being less predictable and difficult to control. Only Cy Young, "Pud" Galvin and Walter Johnson pitched more innings than Niekro's 5,404. "It actually giggles at you as it goes by," said former outfielder Rick Monday. (Parker Fish/National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum), Brothers Joe (left) and Phil Niekro squared off against one another on July 4, 1967 in a game won by Phil's Atlanta Braves against the Chicago Cubs, 8-3. After he was notified, Niekro said, "Giving a description of today's phone call is impossible. None of them succeeded to the extent . By all accounts, Niekro, like Murphy and legendary former Braves manager Bobby Cox Niekro's manager from 1978-81 and the general manager when the Braves brought Niekro back in 1987 are . [30], The record for passed balls in an inning (4) was first set by Ray Katt of the New York Giants in 1954, catching Hoyt Wilhelm. Niekro's 318 career victories are the most by a knuckleballer and rank 16th on MLB's all-time wins list. So thankful for our memories and time together. Additionally, Ted Lyons, another member of the Hall of Fame, relied heavily on the knuckleball after injuring his arm in 1931. 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. Former catcher Bob Uecker, who caught for Phil Niekro, said, "The way to catch a knuckleball is to wait until it stops rolling and pick it up. By continuing to use this website, you consent to the use of cookies in accordance with our Cookie Policy. Following a 23-13 season in 1969 that firmly established him as one of baseballs best, the durable Niekro consistently piled up innings and perplexed batters. When thrown well with little to no spin, the ball feels like it slips out of your palm. However, young pitchers with smaller hands tend to throw the knuckleball with their knuckles. He went 1111 with a 4.32 ERA. By 1967, Niekro was one of the top pitchers in the game, leading the NL that year with an ERA of 1.87. 5/08 - initial page AKA This grip is also called knuckler, dancer, or floater. [1], Between 1977 and 1979, Niekro was the league leader in complete games, innings pitched and batters faced. 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. When was Phil Niekro born? Niekro and his younger brother Joe amassed 539 wins between them, the most combined wins by brothers in baseball history. 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. It's also available for football, basketball and hockey. Atlanta, Sept. 27, 1987 __ Phil Niekro was in a jam. As with many knuckleball pitchers, age proved no barrier to Niekro. Read More FILE - In this March 29, 2007, file photo, Baseball Hall of Famer Phil Niekro holds a knuckleball at the Great Lakes Science Center in Cleveland. * Joe Niekro was a superb knuckleball pitcher himself; not quite as good as Phil but he did win 221 games and in 1979 came significantly closer to winning the Cy Young Award than Phil ever did (he . 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.". Born: "Phil Niekro was one of the most distinctive and memorable pitchers of his generation," MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement. La maledetta che sfida la fisica", "Noughty Boys: No one hit a free-kick quite like Juninho Pernambucano", "Pele to Zico to Beckham to Ronaldo: Evolution of the Free-Kick Masters", "Mestre de Pirlo, Juninho Pernambucano ensinou italiano a bater falta", "The Top 15 Best Shooters in World Football", "Bonansea: I was always daydreaming of football in class", The (Mostly) Complete List of Knuckleball Pitchers, NPR.org on the Red Sox's re-acquisition of Doug Mirabelli, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Knuckleball&oldid=1137620558, This page was last edited on 5 February 2023, at 16:41. He was the best knuckleball pitcher in baseball history. There are other prominent knuckleball pitchers like Hall of Famer Phil Niekro, who had a very effective knuckler and knuckle curve, and Cy Young Award winning pitcher R. A. Dickey. Data Provided By Niekro was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1997. The first is selection bias in scouting. (National Baseball Hall of Fame Library), Phil Niekro (left) greets members of Team Knucksie, including Alan Trammell (center), before the 2015 Hall of Fame Classic Game in Cooperstown. This shooting technique is frequently used by players for long-range shots and free kicks. Following his baseball career, he managed the Colorado Silver Bullets, an all-women baseball team in the late 1990s. Phil Niekro 1964-1983, 1987 (88.5 WAR) . 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. Dont do it. The air flow over a seam of the ball causes the ball to change from laminar to turbulent flow. [1], From 1975 to 1976, he went 1515 and 1711 and made a second All-Star appearance in 1975. All logos are the trademark & property of their owners and not Sports Reference LLC. He appeared in relief three times, earning two saves. Joe Niekro died in 2006 at age 61. We present them here for purely educational purposes. "He simply destroys your timing with that knuckleball," said Hall of Famer Ernie Banks. Phil Niekro, the Hall of Fame pitcher who confounded batters with his fluttering knuckleballs . He did not throw his trademark knuckleball throughout the game until the final hitter;[13] to former AL MVP Jeff Burroughs. He had been diagnosed with prostate[31] cancer.[32][33]. It features the Knucksie Sandwich, made with barbecue pork and cole slaw atop a corn muffin, said to be his favorite. They all sit behind home plate.". Watch our How-To Videos to Become a Stathead, Subscribe to Stathead and get access to more data than you can imagine. Phil Niekro won 318 games over his 24-year big league career. He would say later that he wanted to prove he was a pitcher, not just a knuckleballer. in speed, and things like that." . Your grip should avoid seams altogether. The asymmetric drag that results tends to deflect the trajectory toward the side with the stitches. Niekro passed away on Dec. 26, 2020, at the age of 81. "Ueck told me if I was ever going to be a winner to throw the knuckleball at all times and he would try to catch it," Niekro said. [1], In 1980 and 1981, he went 1518 and 77 while leading the league in games started (38) and losses (18) in 1980. It is for this reason that the knuckleball is widely regarded as unreliable, and knuckleball pitchers are prone to extended slumps, such as when Tim Wakefield was released from the Pirates in a mid-career slump during spring training in 1995. The team was eliminated from the playoffs after losing the next two games. The fingers that stabilize the ball shouldnt be on any seams. [7] He pitched for several minor league teams at several levels for the next few years, appearing mostly as a relief pitcher. Niekro, who pitched well into his 40s with a knuckleball that baffled big league hitters for more than two decades, mostly with the Braves, has died after a long fight with cancer, the team . Javascript is required for the selection of a player. 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. [50], This article is about the baseball pitch. [32] For a catcher, a key disadvantage to using a first baseman's glove mitt is that they are not designed for easy extraction of the ball from the glove, making it harder to prevent baserunners from stealing. Rich in anecdotes and interviews, this book shares the unique stories of Hoyt Wilhelm, Phil Niekro, Jim Bouton, Tom Candiotti, Tim Wakefield, R.A. Dickey, and many others. [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. And its the most unstable friend that youll ever have. Put yourself into a position to give yourself a chance and use two fingertips. They hold the record for most combined wins by siblings in a career with 539. 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. It does not need to be thrown hard (in fact, throwing too hard may diminish its effectiveness), and is therefore less taxing on the arm. By Jim Murray. When Phil Niekro won his 300th game, Joe was at his side, and it was arguably the most unique victory of the elder brother's career. However, the Cardinals scored two late runs after Niekro left the game and would eventually sweep the series. https://www.mlb.com/ [1], In 1983, he went 1110 and won his fifth Gold Glove Award. "[24] Catcher Bob Uecker was also frustrated by the pitch at times, saying, "Niekro struck out a hitter once and I never touched the ball. Philip Henry Niekro was born on April 1, 1939, in Blaine, Ohio. Failed to subscribe, please contact admin. [2], Pitchers like Bouton have found success as knuckleballers after their ability to throw hard declined. http://www.courtsidetweets.comPhil Niekro of the New York Yankees wins his 300th game in Toronto against the Blue Jays! [3][4] He was of Polish descent. Many people, including pros, think that the pitch is thrown with fingertips dug into the seams. I've been stunned before. Niekro taught his nephew Lance Niekro to throw a knuckleball after Lance's unsuccessful stints as a power-hitting first base prospect with the San Francisco Giants. "But even more than his signature pitch and trademark durability, Phil will be remembered as one of our game's most genial people. After spending 25 of his 45 years in the Braves organization, Niekro is indeed a New York Yankee. Also featured are the stories of the best knuckleball catchers, from Bob Uecker and Doug Mirabelli to Rick Ferrell and Paul Richards. A paper presented at the 2012 Conference of the International Sports Engineering Association argues, based on PITCHf/x data, that knuckleballs do not make large and abrupt changes in their trajectories on the way to home plateor at least, no more abrupt than a normal pitch. FILE - In this March 29, 2007, file photo, Baseball Hall of Famer Phil Niekro holds a knuckleball at the Great Lakes Science Center in Cleveland. 1978 Topps Nolan Ryan Phil Niekro Strikeout Leaders #206 NM HOF Nice Card! [15][16], Perhaps as a result, knuckleball pitchers often view themselves as members of an exclusive club, with its own uniform number (49, first worn by Wilhelm) and leader (Phil Niekro, whom The New Yorker in 2004 called "the undisputed Grand Poobah" of the group after Wilhelm's death). The knuckleball is somewhat of a lost art, a pitch with slower speed that moves oddly and is hard for hitters to predict the trajectory. Seams catch on skin and send the ball spinning. Furthermore, other factors, such as a dearth of knuckleball teachers and the dramatic increase in the running game base stealing is often easier against knuckleball pitchers may be contributing to its demise. Their win total still stands as a major league record for siblings, as they surpassed another brother combination featuring a Hall of Famer: Gaylord and Jim Perry (529 wins combined). Reserve your tickets, map your route, and work out all the details for your arrival in Cooperstown. After work hours guitarist, DJ, record label owner and New York style pizza aficionado. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? [2] Because they cannot discuss pitching with non knuckleball-using teammates, they often share tips and insights even if on competing teams, and believe that they have a responsibility to help younger players develop the pitch. Do you have a blog? Through Sunday he was 7-2, with an American League-leading ERA of 1.20. This change adds a deflecting force to the baseball, making it difficult for batters to hit but also difficult for pitchers to control and catchers to catch . Many current pitchers throw a curveball using a grip with the index finger touching the ball with the knuckle or fingertip (also called a spike curve). In the finale, manager Billy Martin handed pitching coach duties to Joe Niekro and the ball to Phil Niekro. Question, Comment, Feedback, or Correction? "[26], After the end of his professional baseball career, Niekro managed the all-women Colorado Silver Bullets baseball team. Pinstripes look just fine on Phil Niekro. [30], On December 26, 2020, Niekro died in his sleep at age 81. Phil Niekro, Braves and Yankees pitcher whose knuckleball earned him spot in Hall of Fame, dies at 81. He would go on for two more decades living inside hitters' heads. Heck, he didn't even know where it was going most of the time. Niekro and his brother Joe, another knuckleballer, hold the record for the most victories by a brother combination with 539. ASSOCIATED . 4.9. vs. SFG 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 SO, 0 BB, 0 ER, Last Game: His younger brother Joe was also a Major League pitcher, who won more than 200 games. Heck, he didn't even know where it was going most of the time. BL-1598-92 (National Baseball Hall of Fame Library), Phil Niekro posing with his plaque during the 1997 Hall of Fame Weekend. (A common phrase for hitting a knuckleball is "if it's low, let it go; if it's high, let it fly"; meaning that a batter should attempt to hit a knuckleball only if it crosses the plate high in the strike zone due to lack of break.) "Knucksie was woven into the Braves fabric, first in Milwaukee and then in Atlanta. The knuckleball is also employed by cricket fast bowlers Zaheer Khan, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Andrew Tye as their slower delivery. In addition, Phil played American Legion Baseball. According to Adair, the 150ms minimum human reaction time may be too slow to adjust to a knuckleball's changing direction.[2]. ATLANTA (AP) Phil Niekro threw a pitch that baffled hitters and catchers. In November 2008, it was announced that 16-year-old knuckleballer Eri Yoshida was drafted as the first woman ever to play in Japanese professional baseball for the Kobe 9 Cruise of the Kansai Independent Baseball League. Thats a long phrase, but it is an important one to learn, A solid knuckleball grip with no fatal flaws. The physics of the operation are largely the same. Niekro famously stayed away from his knuckleball on that day, using a combination of conventional off-speed pitches to get the first 26 outs. In the finale, manager Billy Martin handed pitching coach duties to Joe Niekro and the ball to Phil Niekro. [1] He began the year as a relief pitcher but had earned a job in the starting rotation during the season.[9]. It hit me in the shinguard, bounced out to Clete Boyer at third base and he threw out the runner at first. [28], Niekro was a member of the board of directors for Kiz Toys, a toy company based out of Cumming, Georgia, and Niekro advised the company on the KizSport baseball line, reviewing product designs and development. Phil Niekro played for 5 teams; the Milwaukee Braves, Atlanta Braves, New York Yankees, Cleveland Indians and Toronto Blue Jays. Our hearts go out to Nancy Niekro, the kids and grandkids. You do not push a knuckleball with the fingers. [10], Coaches have also been seen as a barrier to succeeding with the knuckleball. Niekro's first two Topps baseball cards are both combination cards with other Braves prospects and his 1965 Topps card is shared with pitcher Clay Carroll. "Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Nancy, sons Philip, John and Michael and his two grandchildren Chase and Emma.". The Niekro brothers would face each other nine times in their career, with Joe's team winning five. See all categories. He spent the next season with the Class AA Austin Senators. All four of these pitchers had a baseball WHIP below 1.35, which shows how effective they were at reducing hits and limiting walks per inning. Jean Faut (19252023), AAGPBL pitcher with two perfect Bob Richards (19262023), first athlete featured on Wheaties Greg Foster (19582023), world champion hurdler, Tom Sizemore (19612023), actor in Saving Private Ryan, Heat, Jerry Richardson (19362023), Carolina Panthers founder, Wayne Shorter (19332023), jazz saxophonist who co-founded Weather Report, Jean Faut (19252023), AAGPBL pitcher with two perfect games, Bob Richards (19262023), first athlete featured on Wheaties boxes, Greta Andersen (19272023), Olympic swimming champion. Phil Niekro's playing days ended in 1987, but he would don a uniform one more time, as manager of the women's barnstorming Colorado Silver Bullets (1994-97). The Hall of Fame knuckleballer died at 81 years old after a battle with cancer, his former team announced Sunday. Phil Niekro, the Hall of Fame knuckleballer who won 318 games in a 24-year career, died in his sleep Saturday night after a battle with cancer, the Atlanta Braves announced Sunday. Phil Niekro weighed 180 lbs (81 kg) when playing. It was Oct. 6, 1985, the final day of the season. R. A. Dickey argues that, "for most managers, it takes a special manager to be able to really trust it the bad and the good of it. Geno Petralli of the Texas Rangers in 1987 while trying to catch knuckleball pitcher Charlie Hough, and tied again in 2013 when Ryan Lavarnway of the Boston Red Sox had four in the first inning, catching knuckleballer Steven Wright in Wright's first major league start. Nobody likes to warm up with you." And I always get questions about this, Why cant I use three fingers? "[1] Bouton said, "Catchers hate it. Tim Wakefield argues that "The problem is that [baseball] is so radar gun-oriented." Find out more. As used by Cicotte, the knuckleball was originally thrown by holding the ball with the knuckles, hence the name of the pitch. In this March 29, 2007, file photo, Baseball Hall of Famer Phil Niekro holds a knuckleball at the Great Lakes Science Center in Cleveland. But the knuckleball carried Niekro to more than 300 . Niekro learned his knuckler as a 12-year-old from his coal miner father in Ohio. All three fingers. The Yankees had fallen short of the postseason the day before with a loss in Toronto. Indeed, Bouton's famous best-selling book Ball Four (1970), while scandalous at the time for its unvarnished and often uncomplimentary portrayal of player behavior and coaching small-mindedness, is primarily a tale of the ups and downs of trying to hang on in the major leagues as a knuckleball pitcher.[29]. When I think of Phil Niekro, two things come to mind. He always represented his sport extraordinarily well, and he will be deeply missed. In addition, the lack of backspin does shorten the length of the delivery, and also tends to make the ball skid off the pitchfaster than it would come off a normal delivery.[35]. (Voted by BBWAA on 380/473 ballots) Support provided by Market New York through I LOVE NY/ New York States Division of Tourism as a part of the Regional Economic Development Council awards. At 46 years, 188 days, Niekro became the oldest pitcher to pitch a shutout in the major leagues. This record stood for nearly 25 years before Jamie Moyer (47 years, 170 days) bested the feat in May 2010. Because there are so few knuckleball pitchers, the resources for learning and improving the knuckleball are few compared to more common pitches. pic.twitter.com/bGjFBMJZrL, Full Obituary: Atlanta Journal Constitution. [2] If a knuckleball does not change direction in mid-flight, however, then it is easy to hit due to its lack of speed. Phil Knucksie Niekro used his expertise with the knuckleball pitch to win 318 games during a Hall of Fame career. Hij doelde daarmee op top-knuckleballers in de Major League als Tim Wakefield en Phil Niekro . Phil Niekro played 24 . [14] Niekro struck Burroughs out to end the game. And todays two tips are all about reducing those variables. By the end of 1987, his final season, Niekro ranked 10th among major leaguers in number of seasons played. Former knuckleballer and pitching coach Charlie Hough says that the increased rarity of the knuckleball is due to scouts increasingly looking only for the best arm. "There aren't many hitters who like facing knuckleball pitchers," Niekro said. Sponsored. A knuckleball or knuckler is a baseball pitch thrown to minimize the spin of the ball in flight, causing an erratic, unpredictable motion. Niekro, who pitched well into his 40s with a knuckleball that baffled big league hitters for more than two decades . I feel like I'm surrounded by family, Niekro said of his many trips to Cooperstown. While learning to trust the pitch which is pushed toward home plate without any spin, allowing air currents to move the ball unpredictably Niekro ascended through the Braves minor league system. His longevity was greatly aided by his reliance on the knuckleball, which puts far less stress on a pitcher's throwing arm than a standard repertoire of pitches. Joe Niekro. There will be a period when they will beat the daylights out of you. Another drawback is that runners on base can usually advance more easily than if a conventional pitcher is on the mound. Heck, the pitch comes and goes when it feels like it and, get this, you never really master it. (Age 25-014d, As a mentor, leader and friend, Phil brought out the best in all of us in Cooperstown. For many hitters, using a bat to try to get a hit off Phil Niekro was a farce. Also featured are the stories of the best knuckleball catchers, from Bob Uecker and Doug Mirabelli to Rick Ferrell and Paul Richards. Philip Henry Niekro (/ n i k r o / NEE-kroh; April 1, 1939 - December 26, 2020), nicknamed "Knucksie", was an American baseball pitcher who played 24 seasons in Major League Baseball, 20 of them with the Milwaukee / Atlanta Braves.Niekro's 318 career victories are the most by a knuckleballer and rank 16th on MLB's all-time wins list.He won the National League Gold Glove Award five . [1] In 1966, Niekro split time again between the Braves and their minor league system, going 43 with a 4.11 earned run average (ERA). The Niekro brothers would face each other nine times in their career, with Joes team winning five. vs. SFG 3.0 IP, 6 H, 0 SO, 6 BB, 5 ER. If staying in the majors could be owed to the knuckler, the same factor might also explain Niekro's initial difficulty in reaching the big leagues. On August 26, the first time Victor Martinez caught Wakefield, he used a first baseman's glove, instead of a regular catcher's mitt. $2.49 . It was during those community and fan activities where he would communicate with fans as if they were long lost friends. Coaches are quick to banish the pitch after one bad outing. Since it developed during a period when the spitball was legal and commonly used, and was similarly surprising in its motion, the knuckleball was sometimes called the "dry spitter". Phil's 121 career victories after the age of 40 is a major league record. Seek out and celebrate your heroes, and explore online and in-person exhibits commemorating the history and impact of the game. With the Braves Niekro earned 268 of his career 318 . How many seasons did Phil Niekro play? He . Created by the act of throwing a ball, the ball's trajectory is significantly affected by variations in airflow caused by differences between the smooth surface of the ball and the stitching of its seams. If a seam is liable to catch a finger at any point as you release the ball, change your grip. Phil Niekro's big league career was never about speed. Your pointer and middle fingertips throw the knuckleball. Many thanks to him. The SPORTS REFERENCE and STATHEAD trademarks are owned exclusively by Sports Reference LLC. A little more pressure from any of the fingertips and the ball spins. 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 . Second stint with the Atlanta Braves (1987), New York Yankees Opening Day starting pitchers, List of Major League Baseball career wins leaders, List of Major League Baseball annual ERA leaders, List of Major League Baseball annual strikeout leaders, List of Major League Baseball annual wins leaders, List of Major League Baseball career hit batsmen leaders, List of Major League Baseball career strikeout leaders, List of Major League Baseball single-inning strikeout leaders, "20-Game Loser: Profiles of the 20-Loss Seasons", "Phil Niekro has never forgotten the Ohio Valley", "Phil Niekro Goes Home to Visit His Ailing Father", "Phil League Minor League Statistics and History", "Harris planning dual role for Phil Niekro", "Phil Niekro's illustrious career by the numbers", "Phil Niekro Signs 2-Year Yankee Pact (Published 1984)", "Road to 300: with Roger Clemens becoming the 21st pitcher to win 300 big league games, here are the stories of seven others who reached the same milestone", "Niekro Gets 300th Win a Shutout of Blue Jays", "YANKEES TRADED BAYLOR AND RELEASE PHIL NIEKRO", "Hall of Famer knuckleballer Phil Niekro dies at 81 | Sports | morningjournal.com", "SPORTS PEOPLE; Phil Niekro to Braves (Published 1987)", "Phil Niekro, who rode his knuckleball to the Hall of Fame, dies at 81", "No Spin Zone: Knuckleball master Phil Niekro to speak at Field of Dreams Banquet", "FresnoBee.com: Fresno Grizzlies: Niekro gets shot to pitch", "A Roster of MLB All-Stars Helped Raise Awareness for Prostate Cancer", "Legendary Braves pitcher Phil Niekro dies at age of 81", "Hall of Fame knuckleballer Niekro dead at 81", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Phil_Niekro&oldid=1138834006, Major League Baseball players with retired numbers, Louisville Colonels (minor league) players, American expatriate baseball players in Canada, Deaths from cancer in Georgia (U.S. state), Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, September 27,1987,for theAtlanta Braves, Career statistics and player information from, This page was last edited on 11 February 2023, at 22:10. Phil Niekro owns one of, if not, the best knuckleball in MLB history. Mr. Niekro's longevity in a game that can be unforgiving for players who lose their timing, great eyesight, speed and ability to throw as they age is simply remarkable. All images are property the copyright holder and are displayed here for informational purposes only. 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, the Braves announced Sunday.