1984 AMERICAN LEAGUE ALL-STAR
"Niekro brings his knuckleball to Yankee Stadium after 20 years with the Braves in Milwaukee and Atlanta. Released after the '83 season, he signed a two-year contract at $700,000 a year. He's the oldest player in the majors.
'His age doesn't bother me at all,' says Yogi Berra, who plans to use him as a starter. Two years ago Niekro was 17-4 and three times he has won 20 or more. He hurled a no-hitter against the Padres in 1973.
Born in Lansing, Ohio, his brother Joe, six years younger, is the Astro pitcher. Phil was a schoolboy teammate of former Celtic John Havlicek."
-Tracy Ringolsby, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1984 Edition
"It's no secret that the New York Yankees actively sought knuckleballing Charlie Hough of the Texas Rangers after the 1982 season. They couldn't get him ... so, after the 1983 season, they signed Philip Henry Niekro, age 44.
Today, Phil Niekro has just passed his 45th birthday. Does life really begin at 40? In 1979, Niekro was 40 and was voted the Lou Gehrig Memorial Award for displaying qualities exemplified by the great Iron Horse. Bud did Niekro produce on the mound after 40?
Try these records on for size- 21-20, 15-18, 7-7 (the strike season), 17-4 and 11-10.
Doesn't seem too shabby does it? In a way, Niekro was not fairly treated by the Atlanta Braves, for whom he toiled for 18 years. They simply said goodbye to the man who has won 268 games and who ranks in the top 40 all-time in at least six pitching categories. Business, however, is business and big business is even bigger, if you'll the pardon English. Niekro was without a team, without a place to put on his beloved uniform, for the first time since 1962.
Principal Yankee owner George Steinbrenner and his staff rectified that matter. What did Niekro have to say?
'I can still pitch. If I thought I couldn't, I wouldn't have signed the contract.'
Yes, the canny knuckleballer can still pitch. This year, a little contribution like 10-15 wins might just be the shot the Yankees need to catch the pitching-powered champion Orioles.
And that is DEFINITELY no secret."
-The New York Yankees Official 1984 Yearbook
"Niekro proved in 1983 that even at age 44 he is still one of baseball's top pitchers. He began the season slowly, recording only two wins in his first eight decisions; starting June 26, however, he won six straight decisions through August 9 and ended the season with a 9-4 record after June 26. Niekro was undefeated against San Francisco in three decisions and won his fifth Gold Glove for fielding excellence.
On May 31 at Pittsburgh, Niekro struck out Johnny Ray for his 2,813th career strikeout, passing Cy Young and moving into 11th place on the all-time strikeout list. He also passed Mickey Lolich (2,832) and Jim Bunning (2,855), ending the season with 2,912 strikeouts for 9th all-time.
Phil pitched a no-hitter against San Diego on August 5, 1973 and also has a 1-hitter and eight 2-hitters in his career. He recorded his 200th win in May of 1979 against Pittsburgh. Phil and his younger brother Joe of Houston are baseball's second winningest pitching brothers with 445 career wins, behind the Perrys, Gaylord and Jim (529). He continues to move up on the all-time lists and needs 88 strikeouts to reach the 3,000 plateau. Phil holds most of the Braves all-time pitching records.
Phil has been named to four National League All-Star teams. He went on a postseason tour of Japan following the 1979 season as a member of a National League team that played American League all-stars. He was voted the outstanding pitcher on the trip and was the only two-game winner.
Niekro graduated in 1957 from Bridgeport (Ohio) High School where he was a teammate of John Havlicek, former Boston Celtic great. His brother Joe is a 15-year veteran of the major leagues and currently pitching with Houston. Phil's greatest thrill is still the signing of his first pro contract with Bill Maughn.
A great humanitarian, Phil formed Phil Niekro Roasts, Inc. to help raise funds for Spina Bifida, the second most common birth defect. He has aided the March of Dimes, the Big Brothers Association and the Empty Stocking Fund. Phil was recognized for his community service by being named the winner of the Brian Piccolo Award in 1977 and the Roberto Clemente Award in 1980. In 1979, he was voted baseball's Lou Gehrig Memorial Award, given annually to the player who most exemplifies the ability and character of Gehrig.
Phil served as the Braves' player representative and was a candidate for the Braves' managerial post that was eventually filled by Bobby Cox after the 1977 season and by Joe Torre in 1981. In the off-season Phil enjoys hunting, fishing, table tennis, bowling and poetry writing."
-1984 New York Yankees Information Guide
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