ATLANTA – Phil Niekro, Hall of Fame player who pitched almost until the age of 50 with a knuckle throw that confused Major League batters for more than two decades, mostly with the Atlanta Braves, died after a long battle with cancer, the team announced on Sunday. He was 81 years old.
The Braves indicated that Niekro died Saturday night while sleeping. He lived in Flowery Branch, a suburb of Atlanta whose main avenue bears his name.
Niekro won 318 games throughout his 24-season career, which ended in 1987 at the age of 48 after a final opening with the Braves.
Known for a pitching that put batters and receivers in trouble, Niekro was picked five times All-Star and had three 20-win campaigns with Atlanta.
Niekro also pitched for the New York Yankees, Cleveland Indians and Toronto Blue Jays at the close of his career.
“We are saddened by the death of our dear friend,” the Braves said in a statement.
A statue of Niekro performing his characteristic throw is outside the Trist Park, home of the Braves.
Niekro did not reach the Major Leagues until 1964, when he pitched 10 games in relief work for the then Milwaukee Braves. He was a starter only once during his first three years in the Major Leagues, but finally emerged as a starter in 1967 – the Braves’ second year in Atlanta – when he had an 11-9 record and led the National League. with an effectiveness of 1.87.
With an undulating ball of knuckles that forced receivers to use a larger-than-normal pet, Niekro recorded a 23-13 knockout when the Braves won the first National League Western Division title in 1969.
However, Niekro also led Major Leagues in losses for four consecutive seasons, suffering 20 ups and downs in both 1977 and 1979. He finished his career with a total record of 318-274 and an effectiveness of 3.35. Niekro entered the Hall of Fame in 1997.