Phil Niekro

Phil Niekro was a legendary Major League Baseball pitcher known for his distinctive knuckleball, achieving a Hall of Fame career and becoming one of the sport’s most enduring figures. After making his Major League Baseball debut with the Milwaukee Braves in 1964, Phil Niekro quickly established himself as a dominant force with his signature knuckleball. He led the National League in ERA in 1967 with an impressive 1.87 and earned his first of five All-Star selections in 1969. A career-defining moment arrived on August 5, 1973, when Niekro pitched a no-hitter against the San Diego Padres, marking the first in the Braves franchise history since their move to Atlanta.

On October 6, 1985, as a member of the New York Yankees, Niekro reached his monumental 300th career win, pitching a shutout against the Toronto Blue Jays. Niekro retired at the end of the 1987 season, concluding his illustrious career with 318 wins, 3,342 strikeouts, and a 3.35 ERA. The Atlanta Braves honored his lasting legacy by retiring his number 35 in 1984. In recognition of his exceptional career and distinctive pitching prowess, Phil Niekro was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1997, solidifying his position as one of baseball’s most unique and effective pitchers.