Phil Niekro (1997)


Date of Birth: 4/1/1939
Birthplace: Blaine, Ohio

Phil Niekro came from a baseball family, with a father who taught both of his sons how to throw a knuckle ball pitch. Phil's younger brother Joe also had a successful career in the major leagues. The two Niekro brothers played on the same team twice in their careers, first in 1973 and 1974 with the Atlanta Braves and again in 1985 with the New York Yankees.

Milwaukee/Atlanta Braves

Niekro was signed by the Braves in 1959 but he didn't play with them until 1964, spending several years first in the minor leagues. He was called up in 1964 to pitch 15.0 innings in 10 games with the Braves. Niekro did not become a full-time pitcher in the Braves starting rotation until 1967.

In 1967, Niekro's first full season in the major leagues, he pitched 207.0 innings in 46 games. He led the National League that season in ERA with 1.87 and he had an 11-9 record with 129 strikeouts to 55 walks. The following year, he had 14 wins and 12 losses, 149 strikeouts to 45 walks, and a 2.59 ERA in 257.0 innings in 37 games.

Niekro had a career high 23 wins to 13 losses in 1969. He had a 2.56 ERA in 284.1 innings in 40 games. The next year, his ERA jumped up to 4.27. He had 12 wins and 18 losses in 229.2 innings in 34 games in 1970.

Niekro pitched well in 1971 and 1972. He had a 2.98 ERA with 15 wins and 14 losses and 173 strikeouts to 70 walks in 268.2 innings in 42 games in 1971. He followed that season with 16 wins and 12 losses, 164 strikeouts to 53 walks, and a 3.06 ERA in 282.1 innings in 38 games in 1972.

In 1973, Niekro pitched the only no-hitter of his career. He finished the season with 13 wins and 10 losses, 4 saves, 131 strikeouts to 89 walks, and a 3.31 ERA in 30 games as a starting pitcher and 12 games in relief.

Niekro led the NL in wins, innings pitched, and complete games in 1974. He finished the season with 20 wins and 13 losses, 195 strikeouts to 88 walks, and a 2.38 ERA in 302.1 innings in 41 games. He pitched 18 complete games.

Niekro didn't pitch as well in 1975, finishing with a 3.20 ERA, 15 wins and 15 losses, and 144 strikeouts to 72 walks in 275.2 innings in 39 games. The following year, he had 17 wins and 11 losses and a 3.29 ERA in 38 games.

In 1977, Niekro led the NL in strikeouts, innings pitched, and complete games. However, his ERA rose to 4.03 that year. He had 16 wins and 20 losses and a career high 262 strikeouts in 330.1 innings in 44 games. He gave up a career high 164 walks. He pitched 20 complete games.

One of Niekro's best seasons was 1978 when he had a 19-18 record with 248 strikeouts to 102 walks and an ERA of 2.88 in 334.1 innings in 44 games. He led the NL in innings pitched and complete games pitched (22). That season he won his first Gold Glove award. He made 65 assists and 2 errors and he had a .976 fielding percentage in 44 games.

Niekro led the NL in wins, innings pitched and complete games in 1979. He had 21 wins and 20 losses, 208 strikeouts to 113 walks, and a 3.39 ERA in a career high 342.0 innings in 44 games. He pitched 23 complete games. He won his second Gold Glove and he led all NL pitchers in putouts with 31. He also won the Lou Gehrig Memorial award in 1979.

In 1980, Niekro struggled with his pitching, finishing with a 3.63 ERA, 15 wins and 18 losses, and 176 strikeouts to 85 walks in 40 games. However, he again excelled defensively as a pitcher, winning his third Gold Glove for making 40 assists and just 1 error in 40 games. He won the Roberto Clemente award that year.

Niekro finished the strike shortened 1981 season with a 3.10 ERA. The following year, his ERA went up to 3.61. However, he still pitched well in 1982, winning 17 games while losing just 4. He had poorer numbers in 1983, finishing with 11 wins and 10 losses and a 3.97 ERA in 34 games. He won Gold Gloves in both 1982 and 1983.

New York Yankees

The Braves released Niekro after the 1983 season and he signed with the New York Yankees. He pitched well in 1984, finishing with 16 wins and 8 losses, 136 strikeouts to 76 walks, and a 3.09 ERA in 215.2 innings in 32 games.

Niekro had control issues in 1985, walking 120 batters. He struck out 149 batters. He finished the season with 16 wins and 12 losses and a 4.09 ERA in 220.0 innings in 33 games.

Final Years as a Player

After two seasons with the Yankees, Niekro signed with the Cleveland Indians for the 1986 season. He again had control issues, walking 95 batters, while striking out only 81. He finished the 1986 season with 11 wins and 11 losses and a 4.32 ERA in 210.1 innings in 34 games.

In 1987, Niekro played in 22 games with the Indians, then three games with the Toronto Blue Jays, and his final game in the major leagues with the Atlanta Braves.

Awards and MLB Records

  • Roberto Clemente award
  • Lou Gehrig Memorial award
  • Gold Glove (5 times)
  • Led the NL in wins (2 times)
  • Led the NL in innings pitched (4 times)
  • Led the NL in complete games (4 times)

Career Statistics

Pitching statistics for Niekro in 24 seasons (1964-1987) in the major leagues include:

  • 3 seasons with 20 or more wins, with a high of 23 in 1969
  • 10 seasons with over 150 strikeouts, with a high of 262 in 1977
  • 7 seasons with an ERA under 3.00, with a low of 1.87 in 1967

Career pitching statistics for Niekro include:

  • 864 games played
  • 5,404.1 innings pitched
  • 318-274 win-loss record
  • 3,342 strikeouts to 1,809 walks
  • 3.35 ERA

Career fielding statistics for Niekro include:

  • 864 games played
  • 37 errors
  • 878 assists
  • 386 putouts
  • .972 fielding percentage

Post Playing Career

Four years after retiring as a major league pitcher, Niekro managed a team in the minor leagues for one season.

Niekro was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1997 on the fifth ballot with 80.3% of the vote.

Sources for Information
Wikipedia - Phil Niekro
ESPN - Phil Niekro
Baseball Reference - Phil Niekro

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