April 1, 1939 Three days before he died, in hospice care for the cancer that would take him, Phil Niekro made one last call to his catcher, Bob Uecker - the one who made everyone One of those undrafted free agents, right-hander J.J. Niekro, happens to share a familial link with one of the biggest names in franchise history. But I know I gave everything to the game.. Since 2009, Niekro had served as a member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museums Board of Directors, and no Hall of Famer was more immersed in Cooperstown than he was. Earl Averill Jr, son of Earl Dale Berra, son of Yogi Cavan Biggio, son of Craig Eddie Collins Jr, son of Eddie Vladimir Guerrero Jr, son of Vladimir Tony Gwynn Jr, son of Tony Chuck Lindstrom, son of Freddie Earle Mack, son of Connie Jimmy O'Rourke, son of "Orator" Jim If I dont, I dont.. My son was excited to get this baseball card! I dont even know what I am doing, and here I am going out into the ninth inning and Knucksie has got a no-hitter going. Niekro tallied far more wins (121) and innings (1,977) after turning 40 than any pitcher in baseball history. Niekro was inducted into Baseballs Hall of Fame in 1997. 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. Mr. Niekro was born in 1923 and raised his children by his wife, Nancy Farrand Niekro, whom he married 54 years later. [8], Niekro led the league with a 1.87 ERA in 1967, earning an 119 record with 10 complete games and 9 saves. He gave Joe a day off., Bruce Benedict: I remember opposing hitters coming up to me and saying you know what, we only face him three or four times a year, Im not going to mess my swing up trying to hit this thing. Joseph Franklin Niekro was an American Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. [1] He began the year as a relief pitcher but had earned a job in the starting rotation during the season.[9]. Philip Niekro (Joshua), John Niekro ( Jennifer), and Michael Niekro (Christy) are his three sons. J.J. became much closer with his mother and centered himself on his Catholic faith. 5x All-Star. NORTH PORT, Fla. On an October morning in 2006, Joe Niekro drove his son, J.J., to St. Stephen Catholic School in Riverview, Florida. I got the big glove out again and was full of angst, I can tell you that. That was our nickname for each other. The longtime stalwart of the Atlanta Braves rotation died after a lengthy fight with cancer, the team announced Sunday. I realized youre never guaranteed tomorrow. For J.J., theyre Dad Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. 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. Sign up to receive our daily Morning Lineup to stay in the know about the latest trending topics around Major League Baseball. J.J. says the Lord had one more surprise: The Braves sending him to Augusta to begin his pro career. He takes a no-hitter into the ninth. I happened to catch it, and Ernie Johnson asked me on the bus on the way back to the hotel, how the hell did you catch that? Pascual Perez was shelled in the Game 1 redux, while Niekro pitched strong in Game 2, leaving with the lead in a game the Braves would lose. [7] He pitched for several minor league teams at several levels for the next few years, appearing mostly as a relief pitcher. He called me The Chaser and I called him The Thrower. He won four Gold Gloves for fielding his position. Niekro was born in Martins Ferry, Ohio,[1] and attended Bridgeport High School in Bridgeport, Ohio and West Liberty University in West Liberty, West Virginia. Although Phil Niekro Sr. did not live to see his son's election to the Hall, he did live more than long enough to know that his son won that 300th game. A lot of people say that about things, but the fact that I get to be a Brave after my Dad and Uncle passed away, and my Aunt is the last remaining of the three, so she gets to relive her childhood memories of my Dad and my Uncle playing for the Braves. The elder Niekro passed it on to his son, who learned to grip the Much of this came from the examples set by Joe and Phil, who always worried about others before themselves. He struggled early in his career before picking up the knuckleball. All Rights Reserved. In 1979, the 40-year-old Niekro led the league in both wins (21) and losses (20). WebHere are all the sons-of-Hall-of-Famers (SoHoFs) in MLB history to date. 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 On October 6, 1985, Niekro gained entry into the 300 win club with a shutout win over the Toronto Blue Jays. Thats kind of weird, he thought. He finished sixth in Cy Young Award voting in both 1978 and 1979, and made his third All-Star appearance in 1978, as well as winning three consecutive Gold Glove Awards from 1978 to 1980. Im sure I talked it over with (coaches) Bob Gibson and Rube Walker, and we decided to make sure when he makes his next start, hell have some kind of rest anyway. J.J. said his uncle and dad were the same person. Phil Niekro weighed 180 lbs (81 kg) when playing. His father, a coal miner, taught him how to throw [] (WTRF) Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher Phil Niekro died Saturday at age 81 in his sleep after a long battle with cancer. [1], In 1980 and 1981, he went 1518 and 77 while leading the league in games started (38) and losses (18) in 1980. Data Provided By The brothers were the sons of a coal miner[5] who had pitched semi-pro baseball and learned to throw a knuckleball from another coal miner. Is Jalen Carter the real deal or a potential NFL bust? If I was on a Monday, an off day, in any other town in the country I wouldnt have that instant family connection, but Augustas always felt like home in an aspect, because I can go to her house, go swimming, have a barbecue on an off day and just feel right at home, so its really, really nice.. I know he wanted to pitch, and I dont remember exactly what happened. Here are 22 essential L.A. spots for every tourist, Column: We cant afford another writers strike. Niekro, born in Blaine, Ohio, on April 1, 1939, was the proud scion of a family dynasty of sorts. Bumgarner y Kershaw solamente se encuentran detrs de Tom Seaver/Steve Carlton (17), Steve Rogers/Carlton (17) y Don Sutton/Phil Niekro (15). Hall of Fame. My father was a coal miner in Eastern Ohio, Niekro explained. He exemplified kindness and generosity, something his son picked up. the official stats partner of the NBA, NHL and MLB. He finished the 1985 season with a 1612 record, the final time he won 15 or more games in a single season. Niekros catchers made up a fraternity charged with imposing order on a pitch that seemed to have a mind all its own, that skipped from mound to plate like a carefree schoolboy. The friends family took J.J. to the hospital, where he saw his dad, Joe, on life support. For more from J.J. Niekro on his season and his future, click below: Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. Join our linker program. He was the younger brother of pitcher Phil Niekro, and the father of former Major League first baseman Lance Niekro. As J.J. Niekro has spent this week at the clubs Spring Training complex, he has regularly seen pictures and tributes to his uncle Phil, who passed away on Dec. 27, 2020. Georgia Techs Kaleb Edwards to medically retire. He was the first one to welcome me into the room.. 5x Gold Glove. ATLANTA -- Hall of Fame pitcher Phil Niekro has died at the age of 81. He was a five-time All-Star and five-time Gold Glove Award winner who finished within the top six in National League Cy Young Award balloting five times from '69-82. He appeared in relief three times, earning two saves. Phil Niekro Jr., his father, was in an intensive care unit in Wheeling, West Virginia. In 1980, Houston had a three-game lead over the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League West, then lost their last three games of the regular season in Los Angeles, to force a one-game playoff. Joe Torre: Talk about a nightmare, knowing he could pitch every game.. 7/14/2021 at 10:21 PM 7/14/2021 at 10:21 PM MLB remembers Hall of Famers lost in the past year. Baseball people often didnt know exactly what to make of his signature pitch, and what they were uncertain of, they mistrusted. After minimal schooling, he also went to work in the mines, Niekro passed away in his sleep on Saturday night. The only draft pick the Braves haven't signed is prep outfielder Ty Evans, who happened to be their final selection in the class. 2023 question: Does a finally healthy Matthew Stafford equal a healthy Rams offense? Some are funny. Or write about sports? The Atlanta Braves officially announced the signing of 19 of their 20 draft picks and two undrafted free agents on Friday. During his Moccasins career, he appeared in 48 games (32 of them starts) and accumulated a 3.53 ERA and a 2.75 strikeout-to-walk ratio. I kind of feel the same way, too. I remember that bothered me because if somebody wanted him to manage, it didnt matter if he was in the dugout or across the country. Some games when he went out there, if he kept shaking you off and you didnt put down something else other than a knuckleball, hed throw whatever he wanted to throw anyway. Niekro was the Opening Day starter for the Astros to start the 1981 season. vs. SFG 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 SO, 0 BB, 0 ER, Last Game: . [27], Niekro was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1997, his fifth year of eligibility. His uncle Phil, J.J. said, just loved baseball and could entertain anyone. You dont want his last game to be missing half of his pitches. Wed obviously always liked that.. [1] Niekro retired at the end of the season. His mom or dad almost always got him. That was my introduction to Phils knuckleball one particular day., Vic Correll (who caught 67 of Niekros games with the Braves between 1974-77): Game in Houston I caught him, I remember the last pitch of the game, it was a knuckleball that did three different things. For fans, Joe and Phil Niekro are two of the most successful pitchers ever to play the game and the winningest brother duo in baseball history. Just realized that life is a lot bigger than baseball or just school, J.J. said. All these years later, what else was there to do but laugh about it? Niekro is survived by his wife, Nancy, sons Philip, John and Michael, and two grandchildren, Chase and Emma. Phil Niekro Sr., a laborer and part-time semi-pro pitcher, had mastered the knuckler after an arm injury threatened to end his playing days. They were the NLs only 20-game winners in 1979. As a mentor, leader and friend, Phil brought out the best in all of us in Cooperstown. vs. SFG 3.0 IP, 6 H, 0 SO, 6 BB, 5 ER. 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