Phil Niekro
From SoSH
Phil Niekro
| Born: | April 1, 1939 |
| Birthplace: | Blaine, Ohio |
| Height: | 6' 1" |
| Weight: | 180 lbs |
| Bats: | Right |
| Throws: | Right |
| Drafted: | 1958: Amateur Free Agent by the Milwaukee Braves |
| College: | None |
| High School: | Bridgeport High School (OH) |
| Teams: | Milwaukee Braves 1964-1965 Atlanta Braves 1966-1983, 1987 New York Yankees 1984-1985 Cleveland Indians 1986-1987 Toronto Blue Jays 1987 |
Contents |
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Overall Career
Philip Henry Niekro (born April 1, 1939 in Blaine, OH), was the master of the knuckleball during his 24 year career in baseball. Niekro's career record of 318-274 is a higher winning percentage than any of the teams he actually pitched for. He could strike batters out (3,342), win (318), field (5 Gold Glove Awards), and as it turned out, manage.
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Awards
- Elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame by Baseball Writers in 1997 (80.34%)
- 1979 Lou Gehrig Memorial Award
- 1980 Roberto Clemente Award
- 5-time National League All Star (1969, 1975, 1978, 1982 & 1984)
- 5-time National League Gold Glove Winner (1978-1980, 1982 & 1983)
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Achievments
- Member of the 3,000 Strikeout Club (3,342 Strikeouts)
- Member of the 300 Win Club (318 Wins)
- NL ERA Leader (1967)
- 2-time NL Wins Leader (1974 & 1979)
- NL Winning Percentage Leader (1982)
- 4-time NL Innings Pitched Leader (1974 & 1977-1979)
- NL Strikeouts Leader (1977)
- 4-time NL Complete Games Leader (1974 & 1977-1979)
- 15-Win Seasons: 13 (1969, 1971, 1972, 1974-1980, 1982, 1984 & 1985)
- 20-Win Seasons: 3 (1969, 1974 & 1979)
- 200 Innings Pitched Seasons: 19 (1967-1980 & 1982-1986)
- 300 Innings Pitched Seasons: 4 (1974 & 1977-1979)
- 200 Strikeouts Seasons: 3 (1977-1979)
- No-Hitter August 5, 1973 against the San Diego Padres
- Oldest Player (1984-1987)
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Trivia
- Managed the Colorado Silver Bullets all-women baseball team.
- Brother of Joe Niekro.
- Holds, with brother Joe, the record for most wins by a pair of brothers, 538.
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Transactions
- July 19, 1958: Signed as an Amateur Free Agent with the Milwaukee Braves
- October 7, 1983: Released by the Atlanta Braves
- January 5, 1984: Signed as a Free Agent with the New York Yankees
- November 12, 1985: Granted Free Agency
- January 8, 1986: Signed as a Free Agent with the New York Yankees
- March 28, 1986: Released by the New York Yankees
- April 3, 1986: Signed as a Free Agent with the Cleveland Indians
- August 9, 1987: Traded by the Cleveland Indians to the Toronto Blue Jays
- August 31, 1987: Released by the Toronto Blue Jays
- September 23, 1987: Signed as a Free Agent with the Atlanta Braves
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External Links
- Phil Niekro: Hall of Fame Page
- Baseball-Reference.com - Career Statistics and Analysis
- 1997 Hall of Fame Class
