An Atlanta Braves Hall of Famer passes away

It’s the end of an era as the old Atlanta Braves knuckleballer has passed.

Today was supposed to be the start of a short series on the no-hitters thrown in the history of the Atlanta Braves.  While that will be delayed, it is somewhat ironic that the first one of those stories was to be about Phil Niekro, who tossed such a gem against the Padres in August of 1973.

But it’s sad news that we have instead:  it was announced today that Niekro passed away on the day after Christmas at the age of 81.

Of the great pitchers that have graced a mound for the Braves, his career is one of the most remarkable.  What’s probably not well known is just how good Knucksie was at his craft.

Consider:

• Niekro didn’t make the majors until age 25, yet still managed to put together a career spanning twenty-four seasons… twenty of them in a Braves uniform.
• He was durable beyond modern comprehension, leading the league (or the majors) in innings pitched on four occasions.
• Just how durable?  In a 3 year span, Niekro threw 1006.2 innings (1977-79)
• Received Cy Young consideration in 5 different seasons spanning 13 years.
• An All-Star 5 times.  Also won Gold Gloves 5 times.
• Led the majors in ERA in 1967 (1.87).  Career ERA of 3.35.
• Won 20+ games twice… and lost 20 twice.  One each of these happened in the same year (21-20 in 1979).  You get these things when you’re starting 40+ times every year.
• Won 318 lifetime games… and 80% support when elected to the Hall of Fame.

Niekro did lead the league in walks on three occasions… but also led in strikeouts one year.  In 1977, both of these happened.  The knuckleball giveth and the knuckleball taketh away.

https://twitter.com/PitchingNinja/status/1343254259308122115

Somehow it seems fitting that a knuckleballer would be born on April Fool’s Day… and then passes away on Boxing Day as we see batters punching at the air in the tweet above.

Niekro could be called upon as the ’emergency starter’ at times as well.  On August 19, 1982, pitcher Pascual Perez was supposed to make his debut start for Atlanta after being called up.  But he got lost on I-285 and couldn’t find the stadium.  Seriously.

So… it was Phil Niekro who bailed him out… and on top of that, he got the win that night.

One of the first interviews I recall hearing on MLB Network Radio was with Phil Niekro several years ago.  Trouble was, he was on a lake fishing at the time and was juggling a rod along with his phone…  the equipment ended up in the drink, which then led to the interviewer having to remind Niekro that he was live on the air as his language reflected his angst at losing the rod.

While he debuted in the majors with the Milwaukee Braves, Niekro embraced the Atlanta team like few other players, remaining a true ambassador for the team for decades after his playing career finally ended after his age 48 season.

While in a Braves uniform, Niekro threw 4622 innings… the second most ever (Warren Spahn 5046).  Over his entire career (regardless of team affiliation), Niekro actually out-threw Spahn:  5404 to 5243.2.

Knucksie also ranks in the Top 10 of Braves pitchers in ERA (3.20) among those throwing at least 2000 innings behind the tomahawk.  His 72.6 fWAR is 5th on that list, too… the top 6 all being Hall of Famers.

His knuckleballs may have been the bane of many catchers, but Phil Niekro will truly be missed.