Phil Niekro RIP

[Case12]

Phil Niekro RIP. The knuckle ball king.

2020 has really been a sucky year for many of us.

[Seven]

This year has took many people, many legends. It has not been kind to us. I think we all can't wait for 2020 to be over and 2021 to arrive. One thing I feel for all these legends is that I'm sure it's been a while since many of them got to see their old teammates. Cooperstown Induction Weekend, acts as a little bit of a reunion/get together and they didn't get to experience that this year.

[Peter_Spaeth]

In one of those great quirks that make baseball so fascinating, he was teammates with Spahn in 1964, who dated back to the mid 40s, and with Glavine in 1987, whose career stretched ahead another 20 years.

[Seven]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

In one of those great quirks that make baseball so fascinating, he was teammates with Spahn in 1964, who dated back to the mid 40s, and with Glavine in 1987, whose career stretched ahead another 20 years.

Or the fact that one of his best seasons happened at the age of 39. With a Won loss record of 19-18!

[nat]

In 1965 Phil Niekro was teammates with Warren Spahn.

Spahn debuted in 1941, when he was teammates with Johnny Cooney.

He broke in in 1921, when he was on a team with Roy Powell.

Powell's first season was 1913, when he played in Detroit next to Sam Crawford.

That gets us into the 19th century. Crawford's first season with was with 1899 Reds. The oldest player on that team was 39 year old Bid McPhee.

McPhee spent his whole career in Cincinnati, first in the AA and then in the NL. His first season was 1882, when he played with Chick Fulmer.

And Fulmer's first season was with the 1871 Rockford Forest Citys. (Where he played infield next to a 19 year old Cap Anson.)

[Tyruscobb]

RIP Phil. Baseball has unfortunately lost another legend; a 300-game winner. I doubt the exclusive 300-wins club will ever see any new members. A testament to many great seasons and longevity.

We have now lost seven active hall of fame member this year. The most active members lost in any given year.

[Jason19th]

I just looked at my 1976 Topps card of Niekro. The card claims he was 37 at that point. But that was clearly his baseball age for the scouts. He had to be in his mid 50’s at that point.

[chadeast]

Wow, I'm saddened to hear this. RIP Phil. Coincidentally, I just happened to finally get around to watching Knuckleball for the first time yesterday morning. My thoughts are with the Neikros, as well as Wakefield and the rest of that tiny fraternity of living knucklers.

[bigred1]

Toughest one of year for me, one of only two autographs I have ever paid for, remember him from superstation in the 80s, a gentleman.

[triwak]

R.i.p.

[Klrdds]

I met him several times and he was always a gentleman and he truly appreciated his fans and baseball fans. He would talk to anyone . Two of his topics he loved to talk about were : 1. His HR off Eric Show in 1982 that helped the Braves clinch the N L West pennant , and 2. His brother Joe’s emery board / sand paper episode with the Astros . Phil just laughed about it .

[Klrdds]

Here’s my 1981 Phil Niekro Braves home jersey autographed on front and back
Sorry images are rotated , I’ll try to correct them later

[paul]

A friend of mine pointed out to me that all 7 HOFers who died this year played in 1967.

[Case12]

Originally Posted by chadeast

Wow, I'm saddened to hear this. RIP Phil. Coincidentally, I just happened to finally get around to watching Knuckleball for the first time yesterday morning. My thoughts are with the Neikros, as well as Wakefield and the rest of that tiny fraternity of living knucklers.

Knuckleball is worth watching for a bit of Niekro nostalgia. It's on one of the streaming channels for free.

[chadeast]

Originally Posted by Case12

Knuckleball is worth watching for a bit of Niekro nostalgia. It's on one of the streaming channels for free.

HBO Max. They just agreed to a deal with Roku which is why I was exploring the app when I found Knuckleball.

[Brian Van Horn]

Remember Phil as a high school classmate of my uncle. He knew both brothers. 12:48 p.m. EST yesterday was a low point

[marzoumanian]

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/28/s...il-niekro.html

Any fan of Niekro should read this piece. Some great stories in it. Enjoy and RIP, Phil.

[Case12]

Originally Posted by chadeast

HBO Max. They just agreed to a deal with Roku which is why I was exploring the app when I found Knuckleball.

Just checked. Also free on Amazon Prime and Hulu.

[darwinbulldog]

He gets my vote for most underrated pitcher of the past 100 years.

[Case12]

I still don't understand the physics. :-) A ball comes to the batter with NO spin at 60mph ....and he swings and misses. Phil was a magician -