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Niekro, Phil

Philip Henry Niekro
Born: April 1, 1939, Blaine, Ohio
Bats: 
Right
Throws: 
Right
Played For: 
Milwaukee Braves (1964-1965), Atlanta Braves (1966-1983, 1987), New York Yankees (1984-1985), Cleveland Indians (1986-1987), Toronto Blue Jays (1987)
Elected to the Hall of Fame by Baseball Writers: 1997
Biography: 

During a 24-year career, Phil Niekro relied not on velocity but on a fluttering knuckleball to frustrate Major League hitters. His lifetime record of 318-274 produced a winning percentage significantly higher than the teams for which he pitched. Knucksie twice led the National League in wins and propelled Atlanta to the National League West title in 1969, when he recorded 23 victories, 21 complete games and a 2.57 ERA. A five-time All-Star, he no-hit the Padres on Aug. 5, 1973, and later managed the all-women Colorado Silver Bullets baseball team.

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Induction Speech

Did You Know: 
that Phil Niekro, a five-time Gold Glove Award winner, won 121 games after he turned 40, the most wins by anyone over that age in baseball history?
Trying to hit him is like trying to eat Jell-O with chopsticks.
Bobby Murcer