Phil Niekro is one of the famous Baseball Player, who was born on the memorable day of April 1 in the year 1939. Hailing from the vibrant city of Saskatchewan, Phil Niekro is a proud citizen of Canada.
5-time All-Star pitcher who won 318 games and struck out 3,342 batters throughout his 24-year MLB career, spent mostly with the Atlanta Braves.
Over the years, not only have skills been honed, but a significant impact has also been made in the professional field. Whether it's through work, public appearances, or contributions to the community, Phil Niekro continues to be an inspiration for many.
Personal Information
Details about Phil Niekro
Popular As:
Phil Niekro
First Name:
Phil
Last Name:
Niekro
Gender:
Male
Birthday:
April 1
Birth Year:
1939
Death Date:
December 26, 2020, Flowery Branch, GA
Death Day:
December 26
Death Year:
2020
Siblings:
Joe Niekro
Education:
Bridgeport High School
Career
He grew up in Bridgeport, Ohio, where he became friends with future NBA star John Havlicek.
He threw a no-hitter against the San Diego Padres on August 5, 1973.
Family
His younger brother Joe Niekro also pitched in the majors and made the All-Star game in 1979. He won the Roberto Clemente Award in 1980, which is given to players that excel in sportsmanship and community involvement.
Phil Niekro Timeline
1920
His total of 5,404+1⁄3 innings pitched is the most by any pitcher in the post-1920 live-ball era.
1959
Niekro signed with the Milwaukee Braves in 1959 for $250 ($2,510 in current dollar terms).
1960
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.
1962
He returned to Louisville in 1962 and had a 9–6 record.
1963
He missed the 1963 season due to military service.
1964
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.
1965
He stayed with the major league team all year in 1965, pitching 74+2⁄3 innings in 41 games and recording six saves.
1966
In 1966, Niekro split time again between the Braves and their minor league system, going 4–3 with a 4.11 earned run average (ERA).
1967
Niekro led the league with a 1.87 ERA in 1967, earning an 11–9 record with 10 complete games and 9 saves.
1968
Before the 1968 season, sportswriter Fred Down described the Braves' pitching staff as "chaotic" and reported that team leadership was planning to use Niekro as both a starter and a reliever in the coming season.
1969
In 1969, his first All-Star season, he had a 23–13 season with a 2.56 ERA, finishing second in the National League Cy Young award balloting to Tom Seaver.
1970
In 1970, he went 12–18 with a 4.27 ERA in what turned out to be a down year.
1971
From 1971 to 1973, he combined for a record of 44–36.
1973
On August 5, 1973, Niekro threw a no-hitter against the San Diego Padres, the first for the Braves since moving to Atlanta.
1974
In 1974, Niekro led the league in several pitching categories, including wins (20), complete games (18), and innings pitched (302.1).
1975
From 1975 to 1976, he went 15–15 and 17–11 and made a second All-Star appearance in 1975.
1977
Between 1977 and 1979, Niekro was the league leader in complete games, innings pitched and batters faced.
1978
He finished sixth in Cy Young Award voting in both 1978 and 1979, and made his third All-Star appearance in 1978, as well as winning three consecutive Gold Glove Awards from 1978 to 1980.
1979
Niekro remains the last MLB pitcher to win and lose 20 games in the same season, finishing 21-20 with the Braves in 1979.
1980
In 1980 and 1981, he went 15–18 and 7–7 while leading the league in games started (38) and losses (18) in 1980.
1982
In 1982, at the age of 43, Niekro led the Braves with a 17–4 season while winning his fourth Gold Glove Award and appearing in his fourth All-Star game.
1983
In 1983, he went 11–10 and won his fifth Gold Glove Award.
1984
In 1984, Niekro signed a two-year contract with the New York Yankees.
1985
On October 6, 1985, Niekro gained entry into the 300 win club with a shutout win over the Toronto Blue Jays.
1986
He was released by the Yankees before the 1986 season started.
1987
He started the 1987 season with the Indians, going 7–11 in 26 starts.
1991
He was a key contributor to the Braves winning their only two division titles before 1991.
1997
Niekro was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1997.
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2007
At the age of 48, Niekro was the oldest player in major league history to play regularly until Julio Franco played at age 49 in 2007.
2008
The baseball field where he played at Bridgeport High School's Perkins Field athletic complex was renamed "The Niekro Diamond" in 2008 after Phil and his brother, fellow major league pitcher Joe Niekro.
2010
This record stood for nearly 25 years before Jamie Moyer (47 years, 170 days) bested the feat in May 2010.
2020
On December 26, 2020, Niekro died in his sleep at age 81.