"'Knucksie' found the fountain of youth in the Big Apple. After playing 19 seasons with the Braves, he was released at the end of 1983 and signed a two-year pact with the Yankees. Niekro was selected to the All-Star team for the fifth time, but was disturbed that he didn't get to pitch in the showcase for a third time.
Niekro was 4-0 in April after compiling a 1-14 record in the opening month during the previous seven years. He credited his quick start last season to throwing knuckleballs more often during the spring to help his new catchers to adjust to handling the pitch. He had a poor finish, going 5-4 with a 5.06 ERA after the All-Star break, but still finished fourth in the AL in ERA.
He ranks third among active pitchers in career victories, needing 16 to join the '300 Club.' Niekro has been on the disabled list only once in his career, which began when he signed with the Milwaukee Braves back in July 1958. He pitched a no-hitter for Atlanta against San Diego on August 5, 1973.
Phil was a teammate of John Havlicek when the Celtic great was at Bridgeport (Ohio) High School. His brother Joe throws his knucklers for Houston.
Niekro has been a candidate for the Braves' managerial post three times, but hasn't gotten the job. The Braves did hold a Phil Niekro Day last season. The move to release this veteran did contribute to Joe Torre's demise in Atlanta."
-Tracy Ringolsby, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1985 Edition
"Call Phil Niekro anything you want- Father Time, The 2,000-Year-Old Man or even Old Man River- but just don't call him washed up. The 46-year-old pitcher defies the rigors of time and continues to succeed long after many younger men have failed.
Witness Niekro's 1984 season when he was the ace of the Yankees starting rotation, recording a 16-8 record and a 3.09 ERA. After almost 20 years in the major leagues, Niekro still has the ambition of a rookie.
"I'm only 15 games away from 300 victories,' he said before the start of the season. 'I've done a lot more than the average ballplayer in America. My number one goal right now is to get in the World Series with the Yankees.'
If the Yankees are still playing in mid-October, you know Father Time will have something to do with it."
-The New York Yankees Official 1985 Yearbook
"Out to prove Atlanta wrong for releasing him at the end of the '83 season, Niekro started '84 as the oldest player ever to appear in a game for the Yankees. Characteristically a slow starter, the 45-year-old knuckleballer got off to the best start of his career, going 4-0 with a 1.19 ERA in April. He struck out Lance Parrish at Texas on July 4th for his 3,000th career strikeout.
Named to his fifth All-Star Game, Phil went into the All-Star break with an 11-4 record and a 1.84 ERA. He was frequently mentioned as a Cy Young Award candidate until an injury sidelined him for 10 days at the beginning of September. Niekro finished fourth in the AL with a 3.09 ERA, sixth with a .667 winning percentage and tied for 10th with 16 wins.
Niekro 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 on May 1, 1979 against Pittsburgh. Phil and his younger brother Joe of Houston are baseball's second winningest pitching brothers with 477 career wins, behind the Perrys, Gaylord and Jim (529). He continues to move up on the all-time lists and holds most of the Braves all-time pitching records. Phil has won five Gold Gloves.
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 has been 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."
-1985 New York Yankees Information Guide
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