The great “Knucksie” is gone.
Hall-of-Famer Phil Niekro, the greatest pitcher of the first quarter-century of Atlanta Braves baseball, died late Saturday at age 81. The legendary knuckleballer had been battling cancer in recent years.
His was a remarkable, and unlikely, career. An Ohio native, Niekro signed with the then-Milwaukee Braves for just $500 at age 19 in 1958, and did not reach the majors for good until 26.
But Niekro rode the knuckleball to a 24-year major-league career, finally retiring at age 48 with 318 victories, a 3.35 ERA, 3,342 strikeouts and 95.