(Originally published by the Daily News on October 7, 1985. This story was written by Jim Naughton.)
TORONTO - Phil Niekro’s custom on the eve of a start is to burn the midnight oil, or perhaps drink the midnight wine would be more accurate. But Saturday night, on the eve of his fifth attempt at winning his 300th game, he went to bed early.
“I tried like hell to get him drunk,” said his brother, Joe, “but he wouldn’t do it.”
Niekro, who beat the Blue Jays, 8-0, yesterday, was in a mood to break his losing habit.