ATLANTA – Phil Niekro, a Hall of Fame player who pitched in his late fifties with a knuckle pitch that confused major league hitters for more than two decades, mostly with the Atlanta Braves, has died after a long battle with cancer, the team announced Sunday. He was 81 years old.
The Braves indicated that Niekro passed away Saturday night in his sleep. He lived in Flowery Branch, a suburb of Atlanta whose main avenue is named after him.
Niekro won 318 games over his 24-season career, which ended in 1987 at age 48 after one last start with the Braves.
Known for a pitch that got hitters and catchers into trouble, Niekro was a five-time All-Star and had three 20-win seasons with Atlanta.
Niekro also pitched for the New York Yankees, Cleveland Indians and Toronto Blue Jays at the close of his career.
“We are grieving over the death of our valued 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 reach the major 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 finally emerged as a starter in 1967 – the Braves’ second year in Atlanta – when he was 11-9 and led the National League with one. 1.87 ERA.
With a rippling knuckle ball that forced receivers 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 in losses for four consecutive seasons, suffering 20 setbacks in both 1977 and 1979. He finished his career with a 318-274 overall record and a 3.35 ERA. Niekro was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1997.
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