These include the flutterball, the floater, the dancer, the butterfly ball (the name for the pitch used by French language game commentators employed by the Montreal Expos), the ghostball, and the bug. ", "Will R. A. Dickey's Angry Knuckleball Change The Game? However, Cicotte called the shine ball "a pure freak of the imagination", claiming that he did this to disconcert hitters and that the pitch was still a knuckleball. It is for this reason that the knuckleball is widely regarded as unreliable, and knuckleball pitchers are prone to extended slumps, such as when Tim Wakefield was released from the Pirates in a mid-career slump during spring training in 1995. They clawed against each other as mound opponents, with Joe defeating his big brother 5-4 in their careers. Tim Wakefield argues that "The problem is that [baseball] is so radar gun-oriented." Because the speed of any prospect's pitch is one of the quickest and easiest metrics in judging the skill of the prospect, the knuckleball, which is thrown slower than any other pitch, gets overlooked. But Niekro, who pitched for the Braves, Yankees, Indians and Blue Jays for 24 seasons, was more . Phil Niekro who hurled most of his famous knuckle balls with the Braves, died on Saturday . He emerged from Ohio coal mine country as a conventional pitching prospect, signing with the Braves in 1958 but resisting the knuckleball until a minor league manager told him to throw the knuckler or go home., (My father) taught it to me in the backyard, Niekro said. He was the best knuckleball pitcher in baseball history. This couldnt be farther from the truth. Full-year historical Major League statistics provided by Pete Palmer and Gary Gillette of Hidden Game Sports. He . Ueck told me if I was ever going to be a winner to throw the knuckleball at all times and he would try to catch it. [8], Niekro led the league with a 1.87 ERA in 1967, earning an 119 record with 10 complete games and 9 saves. [1], From 1971 to 1973, he combined for a record of 4436. Philip Henry Niekro (/ n i k r o / NEE-kroh; April 1, 1939 - December 26, 2020), nicknamed "Knucksie", was an American baseball pitcher who played 24 seasons in Major League Baseball, 20 of them with the Milwaukee / Atlanta Braves.Niekro's 318 career victories are the most by a knuckleballer and rank 16th on MLB's all-time wins list.He won the National League Gold Glove Award five . ATLANTA (AP) Phil Niekro threw a pitch that baffled hitters and catchers. A statue of Hall of Fame pitcher Phil Niekro, the winningest knuckleball pitcher in major league history, adorns the Atlanta Braves' Truist Park Tuesday, March 31, 2020, in Atlanta. Much of the play-by-play, game results, and transaction information both shown and used to create certain data sets was obtained free of charge from and is copyrighted by RetroSheet. Historically, the term "knuckle curve" had a usage that was different from what it has in the game today. At 46 years, 188 days, Niekro became the oldest pitcher to pitch a shutout in the major leagues. Phil Niekro showing his grip at the Baseball Hall of Fame. He had been diagnosed with prostate[31] cancer.[32][33]. [32] For a catcher, a key disadvantage to using a first baseman's glove mitt is that they are not designed for easy extraction of the ball from the glove, making it harder to prevent baserunners from stealing. Some knuckleballers have continued to pitch professionally well into their forties: Tim Wakefield, Hoyt Wilhelm, R. A. Dickey, Charlie Hough, Tom Candiotti, and the brothers Phil Niekro and Joe Niekro. Read More FILE - In this March 29, 2007, file photo, Baseball Hall of Famer Phil Niekro holds a knuckleball at the Great Lakes Science Center in Cleveland. Niekro threw a no-hitter against the Padres on Aug. 5, 1973, and won his 300th career game on the final day of the 1985 season by throwing just one knuckler on the last pitch of the game. [36] This technique has also been described as the "dry leaf" or "dead leaf" ("folha seca" in Portuguese),[37] the "tomahawk",[38] or even "the accursed" ("maledetta" in Italian). [16] He started the 1987 season with the Indians, going 711 in 26 starts. Because there are so few knuckleball pitchers, the resources for learning and improving the knuckleball are few compared to more common pitches. The Hall of Fame knuckleballer died at 81 years old after a battle with cancer, his former team announced Sunday. It's also available for football, basketball and hockey. The Book: Playing the Percentages in Baseball, Did not play in major or minor leagues (Military Service), Salaries may not be complete (especially pre-1985) and may not include some earned bonuses, Note, this is done in an automated way, so we apologize for any errors, & please. By all accounts, Niekro, like Murphy and legendary former Braves manager Bobby Cox Niekro's manager from 1978-81 and the general manager when the Braves brought Niekro back in 1987 are . Knuckleball paved Phil Niekro's path to Hall. The physics of the operation are largely the same. pic.twitter.com/bGjFBMJZrL, Full Obituary: Atlanta Journal Constitution. Phil Niekro had 3,342 strikeouts over his career. Niekro passed away on Dec. 26, 2020, at the age of 81. (Parker Fish/National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum), Brothers Joe (left) and Phil Niekro squared off against one another on July 4, 1967 in a game won by Phil's Atlanta Braves against the Chicago Cubs, 8-3. (Doug McWilliams/National baseball Hall of Fame and Museum). Hall of Fame: Inducted as Player in 1997. You get beaten down to learn another @baseballhall friend #PhilNiekro passed away. [10] This effect is increasing over time as the modern game continues to emphasize power in pitching and average pitch speed increases.[11]. Over more than a decade of serving as a Member of the Board of Directors of the Hall of Fame, his wisdom, his compassion, and his love for the game proved to be invaluable in helping us shape our decisions. Jean Faut (19252023), AAGPBL pitcher with two perfect Bob Richards (19262023), first athlete featured on Wheaties Greg Foster (19582023), world champion hurdler, Tom Sizemore (19612023), actor in Saving Private Ryan, Heat, Jerry Richardson (19362023), Carolina Panthers founder, Wayne Shorter (19332023), jazz saxophonist who co-founded Weather Report, Jean Faut (19252023), AAGPBL pitcher with two perfect games, Bob Richards (19262023), first athlete featured on Wheaties boxes, Greta Andersen (19272023), Olympic swimming champion. In 1979, the 40-year-old Niekro led the league in both wins (21) and losses (20). However, young pitchers with smaller hands tend to throw the knuckleball with their knuckles. "[28] The year before, Niekro had received the most Hall of Fame votes out of all the players in the ballot, but had not received the required 75% of the vote for election. in Blaine, OH Niekro was remembered by the Hall as "master of the knuckleball and a great mentor, leader and friend." Niekro didn't make it to the big leagues until 1964, when he pitched 10 games in relief for . In this March 29, 2007, file photo, Baseball Hall of Famer Phil Niekro holds a knuckleball at the Great Lakes Science Center in Cleveland. During the 1945 season, with talent depleted by call-ups to fight in World War II, the Washington Senators had a pitching rotation which included four knuckleball pitchers (Dutch Leonard, Johnny Niggeling, Mickey "Itsy Bitsy" Haefner, and Roger Wolff) who combined for 60 complete games and 60 wins, carrying the Senators to second place. Join our linker program. Niekro, who pitched well into his 40s with a . [1] In 1966, Niekro split time again between the Braves and their minor league system, going 43 with a 4.11 earned run average (ERA). 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. Ralph Kiner compared Niekro's special pitch to "watching Mario Andretti park a car". Do you have a blog? This grip can also include digging the fingernails into the surface of the ball. April 1, 1939 [30], On December 26, 2020, Niekro died in his sleep at age 81. 5/08 - initial page AKA This grip is also called knuckler, dancer, or floater. The Niekro brothers would face each other nine times in their career, with Joe's team winning five. Trying to hit that thing is a miserable way to make a living. Cicotte was widely reported to throw both the knuckleball and a variant on the spitball known as a "shine ball" (because he would "shine" one side of a dirty ball by rubbing it on his uniform). Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. Phil Niekro shares a story with Braves fans during A Night at the Museum at the Hall of Fame. But after 318 career victories over 24 big league seasons, Niekro was rewarded with the ultimate honor in Cooperstown. Heck, he didn't even know where it was going most of the time. ATLANTA Baseball Hall of Famer Phil Niekro, who pitched well into his 40s with a knuckleball that baffled big league hitters for more than two decades, mostly with the Atlanta Braves, has died . "Ueck told me if I was ever going to be a winner to throw the knuckleball at all times and he would try to catch it," Niekro said. As with hitters, the unpredictable motion of the knuckleball makes it one of the most difficult pitches for catchers to handle, and they tend to be charged with a significantly higher number of passed balls. Atlanta, Sept. 27, 1987 __ Phil Niekro was in a jam. In the finale, manager Billy Martin handed pitching coach duties to Joe Niekro and the ball to Phil Niekro. Memorial Park South Cemetery, Flowery Branch, GA, High School: Bridgeport HS (Bridgeport, OH), Debut: Two later pitchers, Jesse Haines and Freddie Fitzsimmons, were sometimes characterized as knuckleball pitchers even by their contemporaries, but in their cases it again refers to a harder-thrown, curving pitch that would probably not be called a knuckleball today. Niekro taught his nephew Lance Niekro to throw a knuckleball after Lance's unsuccessful stints as a power-hitting first base prospect with the San Francisco Giants. Richard Drew / AP file. "They may not be intimidated by them, but they sure are thinking about them before they go into the box.". Subscribe to the weekly newsletter for all the latest updates. R. A. Dickey estimates that it takes at least a year to grasp its fundamentals. "I was a one-pitch pitcher.". December 27, 2020, 9:39 AM. [14] Niekro struck Burroughs out to end the game. He appeared in relief three times, earning two saves. [1], In 1974, Niekro led the league in several pitching categories, including wins (20), complete games (18), and innings pitched (302.1). "We are heartbroken on the passing of our treasured friend, Phil Niekro," the Braves said in a statement. ATLANTA (AP) Baseball Hall of Famer Phil Niekro, who pitched well into his 40s with a knuckleball that baffled big league hitters for more than two decades, mostly with the Atlanta Braves, has . [2], Pitchers like Bouton have found success as knuckleballers after their ability to throw hard declined. Heck, the pitch comes and goes when it feels like it and, get this, you never really master it. It is almost never used in a mixed repertoire today, however, and some believe that to throw the knuckleball effectively with some semblance of control over the pitch, one must throw it more or less exclusively. They all sit behind home plate." Bob Uecker During 24 big league seasons, Phil Niekro rode his knuckleball to 5,404 innings pitched - the most of any pitcher who started his career in the live ball era. Pinstripes look just fine on Phil Niekro. After spending 25 of his 45 years in the Braves organization, Niekro is indeed a New York Yankee. Baseball Hall of Famer Phil Niekro, who pitched well into his 40s with a knuckleball that baffled big league hitters for more than two decades, mostly with the Atlanta . He spent six long years in the minor leagues, and once he got to the majors his fluttering knuckleball never lit up the radar gun. But the knuckleball carried Niekro to more than 300 . Hij doelde daarmee op top-knuckleballers in de Major League als Tim Wakefield en Phil Niekro . Senior producer, Legacy.com. Heck, he didn't even know where it was going most of the time. 1978 Topps Nolan Ryan Phil Niekro Strikeout Leaders #206 NM HOF Nice Card! Now you have to apply even pressure using three fingers. View Phil Niekro's Page at the Baseball Hall of Fame (plaque, photos, videos). Talk about a weird assist: 253 on a strikeout. He went 1111 with a 4.32 ERA. AMA! [18] After going 02 in three starts, the Blue Jays released Niekro. "I figured if there's any way I'm going to win my 300th game by striking the guy out, I was going to do it with the pitch that won the first game for me," Niekro said. Between 1964 and 1987, Phil racked up 318 wins (the most by a knuckleball pitcher), struck out over 3,000 and had a ERA of 3.35. [10] Another reason for the difficulty of the knuckleball is due to the network effect. Most of his career was spent with mostly with the Atlanta Braves. 300, entered the bottom of the ninth having shut out the Jays on curveballs, slip pitches, fastballs and screwballs -- everything but a knuckleball. After work hours guitarist, DJ, record label owner and New York style pizza aficionado. He was known for his knuckleball, and had a career record of 318-274. However, the seam on a cricket ball is equatorial, and thus the extent of erratic movement is reduced due to the symmetry (at least in the conventional release position where the planes of the ball's trajectory and the seam are nearly co-planar). Show your love of the game and play a part in preserving past and ensuring the future of the Baseball Hall of Fame. Niekro was a five-time All-Star and pitched a no-hitter in 1973 against the Padres. He found both in 1967, when he was united with Bob Uecker, a veteran reserve backstop with many quips and sage advice. vs. SFG 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 SO, 0 BB, 0 ER, Last Game: And traditionally, if you look at Tim Wakefield, Joe and Phil Niekro, Tom Candiotti, Wilbur Wood, Hoyt Wilhelm and all the guys that threw it, through their success they had guys who really believed in what it could do long-term and committed to giving them the ball every fifth day to do it. Hall of Fame pitcher Phil Niekro, who rode his knuckleball to 318 victories, was the seventh Hall of Famer to pass away in 2020. . (Josh Szot/National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum), Phil Niekro managed the Colorado Silver Bullets baseball team from 1994-97. [29], The Gwinnett Braves' home, Coolray Field, has a restaurant, Niekro's, named after him. He returned to Louisville in 1962 and had a 96 record. Sometimes young players will throw the knuckleball with their knuckles flat against the ball, giving it less spin but also making it difficult to throw any significant distance. Get breaking news alerts& today's headlines inyour inbox. [27], Niekro was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1997, his fifth year of eligibility. In 1979, Phil, pitching for the Braves, and Joe, for the Astros, tied for the most victories in the National League, with 21 each. He reinvented pitching by adding this slow, crazy moving pitch. The Braves finished 3rd, 4th, and 5th in their division. How much did Phil Niekro weigh when playing? Seams catch on skin and send the ball spinning. Support provided by Market New York through I LOVE NY/ New York States Division of Tourism as a part of the Regional Economic Development Council awards. FILE - In this 1970 file photo, Atlanta Braves' Phil Niekro poses for a photo. "Knucksie was woven into the Braves fabric, first in Milwaukee and then in Atlanta. You do not push a knuckleball with the fingers. The fingers that stabilize the ball shouldnt be on any seams. [39], One of the main proponents of this shooting technique was Brazilian playmaker Juninho Pernambucano, who popularised it in particular during his time with Lyon in the mid 2000s;[40] however, it is commonly thought to have been invented by compatriot Didi,[37][41][42] although Italian forward Giuseppe Meazza before him is also credited with using the technique. But the knuckleball carried Niekro to more than 300 . ", "Knuckleballers' paths as tricky as the pitch", "MLB pitchers setting velocity records, altering balance of power", "Knuckleball life comes full circle for Wakefield", "Japan's 'Knuckle Princess' Arrives in U.S.", "Knuckleball pitchers may be a dying breed", "The art of the mysterious knuckleball is on the verge of extinction", "Wakefield, Dickey share a unique relationship", "R. A. Dickey calls Cy Young Award a victory for all knuckleballers", "Knuckleballer Mickey Jannis Making His MLB Debut at Age 33 Is So Cool", "Frazier breaks out knuckler in pitching debut", "You knew Wade Boggs could hit, but did you also know he had a nasty knuckleball? Hoyt Wilhelm, Phil Niekro, and Jesse Haines, three pitchers who primarily relied on the knuckleball, have been inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Phil Niekro, the Hall of Fame pitcher who confounded batters with his fluttering knuckleballs . http://www.courtsidetweets.comPhil Niekro of the New York Yankees wins his 300th game in Toronto against the Blue Jays! He was 81. The Niekro brothers would face each other nine times in their career, with Joes team winning five. [10], In 1970, he went 1218 with a 4.27 ERA in what turned out to be a down year. Niekro, who pitched well into his 40s . In November 2008, it was announced that 16-year-old knuckleballer Eri Yoshida was drafted as the first woman ever to play in Japanese professional baseball for the Kobe 9 Cruise of the Kansai Independent Baseball League. [14], Another factor contributing to the rarity of the knuckleball is the difficulty of throwing the pitch. inFlowery Branch,GA, Buried: After the season, the Braves released him.[11]. Your grip should avoid seams altogether. (Parker Fish/National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum) He missed the 1963 season due to military service. Thats a long phrase, but it is an important one to learn, A solid knuckleball grip with no fatal flaws. This is due to both the knuckleball's low average speed and its erratic movement, which force the catcher to keep focusing on the ball even after the runners start stealing their next bases. Photo is at @Dana_Pump @David_Pump Foundation dinner with @STLWizard #RickeyHenderson pic.twitter.com/RccUiq0rJO, PHIL NIEKRO YOU WERE ALWAYS GOOD MAN WHENEVER WE SEE YOU AT THE MATCHES IN THE ATLANTA. 4.9. Niekro was born in Blaine, Ohio, and grew up in Lansing, Ohio, the son of Henrietta (Klinkoski) and Philip Niekro. I don't think of his 318 wins. He set a major league record by playing 24 seasons in the major leagues without a World Series appearance. [1] That season, Phil and Joe Niekro were NL co-leaders in wins. Remembering Phil Niekro, King of the Knuckleballers (1939-2020) by Jay Jaffe. Signed in 1958, he didn't break through for good for nearly a decade. He surrendered a league-leading 40 home runs that year, a feat he would not repeat until 1979. Other names for the knuckleball have generally alluded to its motion and slower speed. Seek out and celebrate your heroes, and explore online and in-person exhibits commemorating the history and impact of the game. If one of the fingers puts more pressure on the ball than the other, the ball spins. Former catcher Bob Uecker, who caught for Phil Niekro, said, "The way to catch a knuckleball is to wait until it stops rolling and pick it up. Position the Ball Atlanta Braves pitcher Phil Niekro is seen in a 1968 photo. Niekro learned his knuckler as a 12-year-old from his coal miner father in Ohio. He pitched six innings of Game 2 and left with a 32 lead. As of 2004[update], only about 70 Major League Baseball pitchers have regularly used the knuckleball during their careers, and its use has become rarer over time. "He was a constant presence over the years, in our clubhouse, our alumni activities and throughout Braves Country and we will forever be grateful for having him be such an important part of our organization. The Braves lost the game against the San Francisco Giants 156. His longevity is attributed to his knuckleball, which is a difficult pitch to master but is easy on the arm and often baffles hitters due to its unpredictable trajectory. He would go on for two more decades living inside hitters' heads. The first is selection bias in scouting. Subscribe to Stathead Baseball: Get your first month FREEYour All-Access Ticket to the Baseball Reference Database. We'll miss you, Knucksie. In association football (soccer), the method of striking the ball so that it produces almost no spinning motion during its flight has been colloquially described as "knuckleballing" by commentators, due to the ball's motion that resembles a baseball thrown with a knuckleball pitch. After he was notified, Niekro said, "Giving a description of today's phone call is impossible. National Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher Phil Niekro a longtime pitcher for the Milwaukee/Atlanta Braves who was known for his blistering knuckleball died in his sleep . Niekro, who was born April 1, 1939, and died in 2020 at 81, excelled by using the elusive . Seams have texture. "Catching Niekro's knuckleball was great. So thankful for our memories and time together. Phil Niekro was born on April 1, 1939. Phil Niekro, a pitcher who used his signature knuckleball to fool generations of hitters and craft a Hall of Fame career, died Saturday night in his sleep after a long battle with cancer, the Atlanta Braves announced Sunday. The brothers were the sons of a coal miner[5] who had pitched semi-pro baseball and learned to throw a knuckleball from another coal miner. In one day", "Jim Bouton, Author of Tell-All Baseball Memoir 'Ball Four,' Dies at 80", "Arencibia lives knuckleball nightmare on opening day", "All-Star Game 2012: The Glove To Catch R. A. Dickey", "Victor Martinez passes the Wakefield test", "Red Sox catcher Ryan Lavarnway ties big league record with four passed balls", "Cricket World Cup: The writers' verdicts", "Set-piece dilemma: CR7 Tomahawk vs Bale Knuckleball", "Juventus: Pirlo, ma che punizione hai tirato? Coaches are quick to banish the pitch after one bad outing. (A common phrase for hitting a knuckleball is "if it's low, let it go; if it's high, let it fly"; meaning that a batter should attempt to hit a knuckleball only if it crosses the plate high in the strike zone due to lack of break.) Philip Henry Niekro (/nikro/ NEE-kroh; April 1, 1939 December 26, 2020), nicknamed "Knucksie",[1] was an American baseball pitcher who played 24 seasons in Major League Baseball, 20 of them with the Milwaukee / Atlanta Braves. Also featured are the stories of the best knuckleball catchers, from Bob Uecker and Doug Mirabelli to Rick Ferrell and Paul Richards. Copyright 2000-2023 Sports Reference LLC. I don't think of his knuckleball. Other prominent knuckleball pitchers have included Joe Niekro (Phil's brother), Charlie Hough, Dave Jolly, Ben Flowers, Wilbur Wood, Barney Schultz, Tom Candiotti, Bob Purkey, Steve Sparks, Eddie Rommel, Tim Wakefield, Steven Wright, and Dickey. Phil's 121 career victories after the age of 40 is a major league record. Following his baseball career, he managed the Colorado Silver Bullets, an all-women baseball team in the late 1990s. [15], After two seasons in New York, Niekro pitched for the Cleveland Indians in 1986. While he was briefly promoted to the Class AAA Louisville Colonels in 1960, he spent the rest of that season pitching for the Jacksonville Braves. He finished the 1985 season with a 1612 record, the final time he won 15 or more games in a single season. This shooting technique is frequently used by players for long-range shots and free kicks. [8], Niekro debuted with the Milwaukee Braves in 1964, working 15 major league innings and spending time with the team's class AAA minor league affiliate. He was 81. . In 1969, his first All-Star season, he had a 2313 season with a 2.56 ERA,[1] finishing second in the National League Cy Young award balloting to Tom Seaver. On August 5, 1973, Niekro threw a no-hitter against the San Diego Padres, the first for the Braves since moving to Atlanta. Niekro, often referred to by his knuckleball . Seams are raised. Phil Niekro was one of thirty-seven men to take the field for the 1965 Milwaukee Braves, the last year they existed (1953-1965) before moving to Atlanta.When Knucksie hung up his cleats in 1987, he was the last active player from the former team.. Phil Niekro, on July 29, 1977, joined the 4 Strikeouts in 1 Inning "club" - the first (known / located) instance by a Braves pitcher. Communication. Niekro was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1997. Phil Niekro was a legendary Hall of Fame pitcher known for his knuckleball pitch, who played for the Braves most of his career. Use without license or authorization is expressly prohibited. First called up by Milwaukee in 1964, Niekro seesawed between the majors and minors, a pitcher struggling to find a niche and willing catchers. Exceeded rookie limits during 1965 season, View Player Bio The origins of the knuckleball are unclear. Phil baffled batters on the field and later was always the first to join in our community activities. It feels comfortable to me. Well, three fingers gives you a much better chance of spinning the ball, and heres why: To eliminate the spin you need to apply even pressure from two fingertips. Indeed, Bouton's famous best-selling book Ball Four (1970), while scandalous at the time for its unvarnished and often uncomplimentary portrayal of player behavior and coaching small-mindedness, is primarily a tale of the ups and downs of trying to hang on in the major leagues as a knuckleball pitcher.[29]. In this March 29, 2007, photo, Baseball Hall of Famer Phil Niekro holds a knuckleball at the Great Lakes Science Center in Cleveland. The grips of these guys are similar because they understand the basic rule for throwing a great knuckleball reduce as many variables as possible to put yourself into a position to give yourself a chance of killing the spin entirely. Keep up with headlines and events at the Baseball Hall of Fame, and see who will be taking their place in history next. 1978 Topps #206 Strikeout Leaders Phil Niekro Nolan Ryan - Nice Card. When Mr. Niekro was 40 years old in 1979 he threw 23 complete games - nowadays it is rare to see a pitcher even throw 1 or 2 complete 9 inning games during a typical season. Pitching coaches often struggle with knuckleball pitchers due to a lack of experience with the pitch. By the end of 1987, his final season, Niekro ranked 10th among major leaguers in number of seasons played. AP2007. The fingertip grip is more commonly used today by knuckleball pitchers, like retired Boston Red Sox pitcher Tim Wakefield, who had a knuckleball with a lot of movement. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. When done correctly, the float serve is hard for opponents to predict where the ball will end up, thus rendering it hard to pass. "Catching Niekro's knuckleball was great," said Uecker, now a Hall of Fame announcer. He was 81. https://www.mlb.com/ Dedicated daily to memorializing notable personalities. Niekro was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1997 and served on the Museums Board of Directors since 2009. Niekro has died after a long fight with cancer, the team announced today. It features the Knucksie Sandwich, made with barbecue pork and cole slaw atop a corn muffin, said to be his favorite. For the 2012 documentary film, see, position players making pitching appearances, Game 5 of the 2004 American League Championship Series, "The Physics of Baseball: Knuckleball Research", "I am 2-time NL MVP Dale Murphy, former MLB player for the Braves, Phillies and Rockies. Phil, Trying to hit him, said Yankees All-Star outfielder Bobby Murcer, is like trying to eat Jell-O with chopsticks.. In baseball terminology the pitcher and catcher together are known as a "battery", and having a catcher experienced in catching a knuckleball pitcher is preferable, so the trade of pitcher and catcher together is sometimes referred to as a "batteries included" trade. His success eventually forced the team to take a chance on a knuckleballer as a starting pitcher. I LOVE NEW YORK is a registered trademark and service mark of the New York State Department of Economic Development; used with permission. He amassed 121 victories after he turned 40 -- a major league record -- and pitched until he was 48. Former knuckleballer and pitching coach Charlie Hough says that the increased rarity of the knuckleball is due to scouts increasingly looking only for the best arm. [2] It was his third and final 20-win season and his second and final 20-loss season.