RIP Phil Niekro
- Thread starter rick64
- Start date
The old knuckleballer. Used to love to watch him pitch. I caught for several years at different levels of baseball, and if you have never tried to be a catcher for a good knuckleball pitcher, you just don't know what anxiety feels like. RIP PK.
Catcher Bob Uecker on how he caught Niekro's knuckleball: "Wait until it stops rolling, then go pick it up."
Sorry to hear this. Gibson. Seaver. Niekro. Three of the great pitchers from my youth passed away this year.
Ticked off at media showing him in a Yankees uniform. He was first and foremost a Brave.
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anon_q409idbs5m40a
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Even worse trying to hit against a good knuckleball pitcher. I can tell you that for a fact.
He and the Braves were victims of an infamous 5th inning rainout in game one of the ‘82 NLCS.
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anon_q409idbs5m40a
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I'm going way back but in 1972 Powell County HS had a pitcher named Gary Crabtree that had an excellent knuckleball and a knuckle curve. He was next to impossible to hit at the HS level and went on to play at Morehead. Not sure what happened to him but he could sure throw. He would set you up with a fastball or knuckle curve then come back with the knuckleball which would really mess you up.
Johnny Bench was once asked by Sparky Anderson about a chance the Reds had to trade for Niekro. Bench said you better trade for his catcher too.
I totally understand. I had a "blue" mitt and still struggled keeping the ball in front of me.Johnny Bench was once asked by Sparky Anderson about a chance the Reds had to trade for Niekro. Bench said you better trade for his catcher too.
11th all-time in WAR for pitchers (35th all-time), 16th all-time in wins, 11th in Ks.
5th all-time in starts, 4th all-time in innings pitched, 4th all-time in batters faced.
5th in losses, 4th in hits allowed, 3rd in walks, 4th in home runs allowed, 2nd in runs allowed, 7th in wild pitches.
And amazingly, in 24 years: a 0-2 postseason record. I didn't realize that until glancing over his stats just now.
One of the best of the Live Ball Era. Rest in peace.
5th all-time in starts, 4th all-time in innings pitched, 4th all-time in batters faced.
5th in losses, 4th in hits allowed, 3rd in walks, 4th in home runs allowed, 2nd in runs allowed, 7th in wild pitches.
And amazingly, in 24 years: a 0-2 postseason record. I didn't realize that until glancing over his stats just now.
One of the best of the Live Ball Era. Rest in peace.
There you go! Thanks! I think I had that card once upon a time.11th all-time in WAR for pitchers (35th all-time), 16th all-time in wins, 11th in Ks.
5th all-time in starts, 4th all-time in innings pitched, 4th all-time in batters faced.
5th in losses, 4th in hits allowed, 3rd in walks, 4th in home runs allowed, 2nd in runs allowed, 7th in wild pitches.
And amazingly, in 24 years: a 0-2 postseason record. I didn't realize that until glancing over his stats just now.
One of the best of the Live Ball Era. Rest in peace.
Wasn't he the only pitcher in history to win 20 and lose 20 in the same season? He finished 21-20 one year, iirc.