Saturday, October 28, 2006
Joe Niekro
From MLB.com-Joe Niekro recognized the pitch as soon as it left his brother's hand. After all, it was the pitch that their dad taught them when they were just kids growing up together in Ohio.
There it was -- the signature Niekro knuckleball -- dancing toward home plate at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium on May 29, 1979. By the time Phil finished his delivery, Joe had had swung, sending the baseball over the left-field wall for a home run -- the lone long ball of his 22-year career.
Joe lived in the shadows of his older brother's career, which was honored with an induction into baseball's Hall of Fame. But on that day, it was the younger Niekro who walked away the winner. Over 22 Major League seasons, the same pitch that Phil made famous helped Joe Niekro win 221 games, including a club-record 144 for the Houston Astros.
On Friday, Joe Niekro passed away. According to The Tampa Tribune, Niekro suffered an aneurysm and was taken to South Florida Baptist Hospital before being transported to St. Joseph's hospital on Thursday. He was 61.
I actually remember watching him play, all decked out in those horrible orange, striped, polyester uniforms of the Astros (and a hell of a hurler for my Cubs I might add). In addition to the knuckler, Joe (and Phil) were also masters of the spit and scuff balls- which, like steroids, are only legal if you’re name is Roger Clemons. Anyway, he was a throwback, and a pitcher’s pitcher. He was good for the game, fun to watch, and will be sadly missed.
