ATLANTA – Phil Niekro, a Hall of Fame player who threw in his late fifties with a knuckle height that has confused Major League hitters for over two decades, primarily with the Atlanta Braves, has passed away after a long battle with cancer, made the team announced on Sunday. He was 81 years old.
The Braves indicated that Niekro died in his sleep on Saturday evening. He lived in Flowery Branch, an Atlanta suburb whose main street is named after him.
Niekro won 318 games over the course of his 24-season career, ending in 1987 at the age of 48 after a final start with the Braves.
Known for a pitch that got hitters and catchers in trouble, Niekro was a five-time All-Star and won three seasons of 20 with Atlanta.
Niekro also pitched at the end of his career for the New York Yankees, Cleveland Indians and Toronto Blue Jays.
“We are saddened by the death of our esteemed friend,” the Braves said in a statement.
A statue of Niekro performing his signature throw stands outside Truist Park, home of the Braves.
Niekro didn’t make it to the big leagues until 1964, when he pitched 10 games in relief for the then Milwaukee Braves. He started only once in his first three years in the majors, but he eventually emerged as a starter in 1967 – the Braves’ second year in Atlanta – when he was 11-9 and led the National League by one. 1.87 ERA.
With a rippling knuckle ball that forced recipients to use a larger-than-normal mascot, Niekro was 23-13 when the Braves won the first NL West title in 1969.
However, Niekro also led the majors four consecutive seasons with losses and suffered 20 setbacks in both 1977 and 1979. He finished his career with an overall record of 318-274 and an ERA of 3.35. Niekro was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1997.