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). Phil Niekro, Hall of Fame knuckleballer, dies of cancer at 81 Many thanks to him. How to Throw a Knuckleball - Driveline Baseball ATLANTA (AP) 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 . Subscribe to the weekly newsletter for all the latest updates. [9] He appeared in 37 games, finishing with a 1412 record and 15 complete games. "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. [3][4] He was of Polish descent. By ESPN.com news services. 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. His success eventually forced the team to take a chance on a knuckleballer as a starting pitcher. [33], Varitek holds the postseason record with three passed balls in the 13th inning of Game 5 of the 2004 American League Championship Series while catching Wakefield.[34]. A statue of Hall of Fame pitcher Phil Niekro, the winningest knuckleball pitcher in major league history, adorns the Atlanta Braves' Truist Park Tuesday, March 31, 2020, in Atlanta. 11/19/2013 added GIFs for Tim Wakefield, Charlie Hough and Phil Niekro 1/2/2013 added RA Dickey knuckleball slomotion from FanGraphs. 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). "Knucksie was woven into the Braves fabric, first in Milwaukee and then in Atlanta. The Yankees had fallen short of the postseason the day before with a loss in Toronto. Chris Haft. 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.". (Josh Szot/National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum), Phil Niekro managed the Colorado Silver Bullets baseball team from 1994-97. [10] Another reason for the difficulty of the knuckleball is due to the network effect. Much of the play-by-play, game results, and transaction information both shown and used to create certain data sets was obtained free of charge from and is copyrighted by RetroSheet. We'll miss you, Knucksie. It's also available for football, basketball and hockey. [1] He was released by the Yankees before the 1986 season started. He would go on for two more decades living inside hitters' heads. Uecker acknowledged he did a lot of chasing. 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 . His skill on the mound was surpassed perhaps only by his good humor and kind nature, which won him friends throughout baseball and the world. (PDF) The Knuckleball Club eBook Online | eBook House Library This is one of the most common misconceptions about the knuckleball. "He simply destroys your timing with that knuckleball," said Hall of Famer Ernie Banks. [] That edge was made possible by a game-winning home run Phil gave up to Joe, the only homer Joe hit in his 22-year career. 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. Memorial Park South Cemetery, Flowery Branch, GA, High School: Bridgeport HS (Bridgeport, OH), Debut: [7] He pitched for several minor league teams at several levels for the next few years, appearing mostly as a relief pitcher. But the knuckleball carried Niekro to more than 300 . [22], A sidearm pitcher, his pitching featured the knuckleball, which frustrated major league hitters. 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. In this March 29, 2007, file photo, Baseball Hall of Famer Phil Niekro holds a knuckleball at the Great Lakes Science Center in Cleveland. Niekro was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1997 and served on the Museums Board of Directors since 2009. Also featured are the stories of the best knuckleball catchers, from Bob Uecker and Doug Mirabelli to Rick Ferrell and Paul Richards. 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. Phil Niekro signs autographs for fans in Cooperstown at the 2011 Hall of Fame Parade of Legends. Phil Niekro 1964-1983, 1987 (88.5 WAR) . Question, Comment, Feedback, or Correction? "We are heartbroken on the passing of our treasured friend, Phil Niekro," the Braves said in a statement. Self-guided tour or VIP experience. in speed, and things like that." . Keep up with headlines and events at the Baseball Hall of Fame, and see who will be taking their place in history next. "[1] Bouton said, "Catchers hate it. Phil baffled batters on the field and later was always the first to join in our community activities. BL-1598-92 (National Baseball Hall of Fame Library), Phil Niekro posing with his plaque during the 1997 Hall of Fame Weekend. All three fingers. His pitching coach? He spent six long years in the minor leagues, and once he got to the majors his fluttering knuckleball never lit up the radar gun. He spent the next season with the Class AA Austin Senators. [19] At the same time, pitchers rarely focus on the knuckleball if they have reasonable skill with more standard pitches. On October 1, with the Braves clinging to a one-game lead over the Los Angeles Dodgers, Niekro beat the San Diego Padres almost single-handedly by throwing a complete game shutout and hitting a two-run home run. Hall of Fame pitcher Phil Niekro, famous for signature knuckleball Born: Nobody likes to warm up with you." [14] Niekro struck Burroughs out to end the game. [1] He began the year as a relief pitcher but had earned a job in the starting rotation during the season.[9]. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. Phil Niekro, Baseball Hall of Fame knuckleballer, dies at 81 - USA TODAY Phil Niekro - BR Bullpen - Baseball-Reference.com One 2007 study offered evidence for this conclusion. Baseball Hall of Famer, knuckleballer Phil Niekro dies at 81 Phil Niekro threw a pitch that baffled hitters and catchers. 300, entered the bottom of the ninth having shut out the Jays on curveballs, slip pitches, fastballs and screwballs -- everything but a knuckleball. 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. Before the 1968 season, sportswriter Fred Down described the Braves' pitching staff as "chaotic" and reported that team leadership was planning to use Niekro as both a starter and a reliever in the coming season. Niekro was the king of the knuckleballers, ranking first in victories and strikeouts (3,342). (Age 25-014d, April 1st, 2022. Most of his career was spent with mostly with the Atlanta Braves. This record stood for nearly 25 years before Jamie Moyer (47 years, 170 days) bested the feat in May 2010. He pitched six innings of Game 2 and left with a 32 lead. 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. He returned to Louisville in 1962 and had a 96 record. 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. 1965 Topps Clay Carroll, Phil Niekro #461. Hall of Fame pitcher Phil Niekro, famous for signature knuckleball [12] Niekro was given the nickname "Knucksie" during his career. By Jim Murray. 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. Youve made you development 50% more difficult. Ed Summers, an Indianapolis teammate of Cicotte who adopted the pitch and helped develop it, modified it by holding the ball with his fingertips and using the thumb for balance. He did not throw his trademark knuckleball throughout the game until the final hitter;[13] to former AL MVP Jeff Burroughs. 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. [36] This technique has also been described as the "dry leaf" or "dead leaf" ("folha seca" in Portuguese),[37] the "tomahawk",[38] or even "the accursed" ("maledetta" in Italian). Win Expectancy, Run Expectancy, and Leverage Index calculations provided by Tom Tango of InsideTheBook.com, and co-author of The Book: Playing the Percentages in Baseball. Baseball Hall of Famer Phil Niekro holds a knuckleball at the Great Lakes Science Center in Cleveland in 2017. He would teach his sons, Phil Jr. and Joe, the pitch when they were youngsters. Hoyt Wilhelm, Phil Niekro, and Jesse Haines, three pitchers who primarily relied on the knuckleball, have been inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Phil Niekro, Hall of Fame knuckleballer who starred with Braves, dies On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. [6] According to physicist Robert Adair, due to the physiological limitation of human reaction time, a breaking knuckleball may be impossible to hit except by luck. Niekro's 318 career victories are the most by a knuckleballer and rank 16th on MLB's all-time wins list. Phil Niekro was a legendary Hall of Fame pitcher known for his knuckleball pitch, who played for the Braves most of his career. Knuckleball pitchers can throw more innings than other pitchers, and, requiring less time to recover after pitching, can pitch more frequently. Dont do it. [15], After two seasons in New York, Niekro pitched for the Cleveland Indians in 1986. In association football (soccer), the method of striking the ball so that it produces almost no spinning motion during its flight has been colloquially described as "knuckleballing" by commentators, due to the ball's motion that resembles a baseball thrown with a knuckleball pitch. He attended Bridgeport High School in Bridgeport, Ohio, and was a boyhood friend of Basketball Hall-of-Famer John Havlicek. Hij doelde daarmee op top-knuckleballers in de Major League als Tim Wakefield en Phil Niekro . . (Age 48-179d) 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. Amazingly, he won 121 games over the age of 40 thanks to his knuckleball. 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". 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. As I discussed earlier, there are a few different ways to grip the knuckleball. Nancy and I are deeply saddened by the news today of the passing of Phil Niekro. Collectibles; Stamps; Books & Magazines; Pottery & Glass; Niekro and his brother Joe, another knuckleballer, hold the record for the most victories by a brother combination with 539. Niekro remains the last MLB pitcher to win and lose 20 games in the same season, finishing 21-20 with the Braves in 1979. He missed the 1963 season due to military service. (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. I don't think of his Hall of Fame plaque. [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. He went 1111 with a 4.32 ERA. "[26], After the end of his professional baseball career, Niekro managed the all-women Colorado Silver Bullets baseball team. December 27, 2020, 9:39 AM. [8], Niekro debuted with the Milwaukee Braves in 1964, working 15 major league innings and spending time with the team's class AAA minor league affiliate. In 1979, the 40-year-old Niekro led the league in both wins (21) and losses (20). Niekro, born in Blaine, Ohio, on April 1, 1939, was the proud scion of a family dynasty of sorts. Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher Phil Niekro has died at 81 His younger brother Joe was also a Major League pitcher, who won more than 200 games. In-person Lessons at the Knuckleball Academy, Knuckleball Grip, Part 3: Depth of the Baseball. His brother Joe Niekro even pays him . Baseball Hall of Famer, knuckleballer Phil Niekro dies at 81 (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. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Phil Niekro had 3,342 strikeouts over his career. Baseball Hall of Famer, Knuckleballer Phil Niekro Dies at 81 https://www.mlb.com/ 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. 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. De knuckleball is n van de worpen waarvan een honkbalwerper zich in een wedstrijd kan bedienen. Phil Niekro, who rode his knuckleball to 318 wins and a spot in the Baseball Hall of Fame, has died at 81 of cancer. [1], In 1980 and 1981, he went 1518 and 77 while leading the league in games started (38) and losses (18) in 1980. And if you can throw a ball without any spin at 65-plus miles-per-hour, than youve got a great knuckleball grip. The Polish and Ohio Valley Origins of Hall of Famer Phil Niekro (1939 Phil Niekro was preceded in death by Joe Niekro, who suffered a fatal brain aneurysm in 2006. Joe Niekro died in 2006 at age 61. He was 81. Hall of Fame pitcher Phil Niekro, who rode his knuckleball to 318 victories, was the seventh Hall of Famer to pass away in 2020. . "I got to meet a lot of important people. [1], Between 1977 and 1979, Niekro was the league leader in complete games, innings pitched and batters faced. [30], On December 26, 2020, Niekro died in his sleep at age 81. The physics of the operation are largely the same. Only Cy Young, "Pud" Galvin and Walter Johnson pitched more innings than Niekro's 5,404. "[25] Uecker also said humorously of the pitch, "The way to catch a knuckleball is to wait until it stops rolling and pick it up. Phil Niekro, a pitcher who used his signature knuckleball to fool generations of hitters and craft a Hall of Fame career, died Saturday night . Aug. 30, 1987 12 AM PT. In this March 29, 2007, file photo, Baseball Hall of Famer Phil Niekro holds a knuckleball which he used to pitch well into his 40s. Subscribe to Stathead Baseball: Get your first month FREEYour All-Access Ticket to the Baseball Reference Database. Niekro, who was born April 1, 1939, and died in 2020 at 81, excelled by using the elusive . Phil Niekro shares a story with Braves fans during A Night at the Museum at the Hall of Fame. Baseball Hall of Famer, knuckleballer Phil Niekro dies at 81 [14], Another factor contributing to the rarity of the knuckleball is the difficulty of throwing the pitch. A knuckleball is thrown with normal arm action, but the wrist remains stiff until the baseball has completely left the hand. 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. The fingers that stabilize the ball shouldnt be on any seams. April 15, 1964 Hall of Fame pitcher Phil Niekro, famous for signature knuckleball It was Oct. 6, 1985, the final day of the season. 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.
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