phil niekro knuckleball speed

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[21], 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. ATLANTA (AP) Baseball Hall of Famer Phil Niekro, who pitched well into his 40s with a knuckleball that baffled big league hitters for more than two decades, mostly with the Atlanta Braves, has . I led the league in ERA [1.87], and he led the league in passed balls. From an interview with ESPN, Master of the knuckleball and a great mentor, leader and friend, Hall of Famer and @braves legend Phil Niekro passed away overnight at the age of 81. https://t.co/aj7uScYnuy pic.twitter.com/F1GmX9Yb1n. A team will sometimes employ a catcher solely for games started by a knuckleballer. Because the speed of any prospect's pitch is one of the quickest and easiest metrics in judging the skill of the prospect, the knuckleball, which is thrown slower than any other pitch, gets overlooked. Now you have to apply even pressure using three fingers. Discover one-of-a-kind artifacts and get lost in sweeping exhibitions that explore pivotal moments in the game and its impact far beyond the field. He pitched in the major leagues from 1964 to 1987. "We are . He finished third in the voting for the Cy Young Award that year. Phil Niekro's catchers reflect on his pitching career - ajc They hold the record for most combined wins by siblings in a career with 539. Knuckleball Grips, Part 2 - Knuckleball Nation https://www.mlb.com/ His skill on the mound was surpassed perhaps only by his good humor and kind nature, which won him friends throughout baseball and the world. Perplexed catchers and managers wary of passed balls and wild pitches were reasons often cited for Niekro's extended stay in the Braves' minor league system. He won 121 games after turning 40, and retired with 318 victories over the course of 5,404 innings the fourth-most all-time and the most of any pitcher whose career started in the live ball era. [23], Among position players making pitching appearances, those who have utilized the knuckleball include Wade Boggs,[24][25] Danny Worth,[26] Alex Blandino,[27] and Ernie Clement. Baseball Hall Of Famer, Knuckleballer Phil Niekro Dies At 81 ATLANTA (AP) Phil Niekro threw a pitch that baffled hitters and catchers. When you start off learning the knuckleball, it can be frustrating. Seams are raised. ATLANTA Baseball Hall of Famer Phil Niekro, who pitched well into his 40s with a knuckleball that baffled big league hitters for more than two decades, mostly with the Atlanta Braves, has died . ATLANTA (AP) Phil Niekro threw a pitch that baffled hitters and catchers. [2] Because they cannot discuss pitching with non knuckleball-using teammates, they often share tips and insights even if on competing teams, and believe that they have a responsibility to help younger players develop the pitch. Phil Niekro's playing days ended in 1987, but he would don a uniform one more time, as manager of the women's barnstorming Colorado Silver Bullets (1994-97). (Age 48-179d) He never caught for Dickey again. The knuckleball is somewhat of a lost art, a pitch with slower speed that moves oddly and is hard for hitters to predict the trajectory. A pitch thrown completely without spin is less desirable, however, than one with a very slight spin. Baseball Hall of Famer, knuckleballer Phil Niekro dies at 81 In this March 29, 2007, photo, Baseball Hall of Famer Phil Niekro holds a knuckleball at the Great Lakes Science Center in Cleveland. Phil Niekro - Baseball-Reference.com [1] That season, Phil and Joe Niekro were NL co-leaders in wins. [1], In 1982, at the age of 43, Niekro led the Braves with a 174 season while winning his fourth Gold Glove Award and appearing in his fourth All-Star game. Phil, Trying to hit him, said Yankees All-Star outfielder Bobby Murcer, is like trying to eat Jell-O with chopsticks.. ", "Knuckleballers' paths as tricky as the pitch", "MLB pitchers setting velocity records, altering balance of power", "Knuckleball life comes full circle for Wakefield", "Japan's 'Knuckle Princess' Arrives in U.S.", "Knuckleball pitchers may be a dying breed", "The art of the mysterious knuckleball is on the verge of extinction", "Wakefield, Dickey share a unique relationship", "R. A. Dickey calls Cy Young Award a victory for all knuckleballers", "Knuckleballer Mickey Jannis Making His MLB Debut at Age 33 Is So Cool", "Frazier breaks out knuckler in pitching debut", "You knew Wade Boggs could hit, but did you also know he had a nasty knuckleball? Knuckle Ball (Floater) Grip He set a major league record by playing 24 seasons in the major leagues without a World Series appearance. In addition, the lack of backspin does shorten the length of the delivery, and also tends to make the ball skid off the pitchfaster than it would come off a normal delivery.[35]. Many thanks to him. Born: Failed to subscribe, please contact admin. [1][8] He stayed with the major league team all year in 1965, pitching .mw-parser-output .frac{white-space:nowrap}.mw-parser-output .frac .num,.mw-parser-output .frac .den{font-size:80%;line-height:0;vertical-align:super}.mw-parser-output .frac .den{vertical-align:sub}.mw-parser-output .sr-only{border:0;clip:rect(0,0,0,0);height:1px;margin:-1px;overflow:hidden;padding:0;position:absolute;width:1px}74+23 innings in 41 games and recording six saves. "I led the league in ERA [1.87], and he led the league in passed balls.". Photo is at @Dana_Pump @David_Pump Foundation dinner with @STLWizard #RickeyHenderson pic.twitter.com/RccUiq0rJO, PHIL NIEKRO YOU WERE ALWAYS GOOD MAN WHENEVER WE SEE YOU AT THE MATCHES IN THE ATLANTA. When thrown well with little to no spin, the ball feels like it slips out of your palm. Over more than a decade of serving as a Member of the Board of Directors of the Hall of Fame, his wisdom, his compassion, and his love for the game proved to be invaluable in helping us shape our decisions. Become a Stathead & surf this site ad-free. Collectibles; Stamps; Books & Magazines; Pottery & Glass; He went 1111 with a 4.32 ERA. Niekro and his family supported the students of Bridgeport High School with the proceeds from the annual golf tournament "The Niekro Classic". He was 81. Phil Niekro had an INSANE knuckleball! - YouTube When Phil Niekro won his 300th game, Joe was at his side, and it was arguably the most unique victory of the elder brother's career. Hall of Fame: Inducted as Player in 1997. Baseball great Phil Niekro dies of cancer at 81 | weareiowa.com Phil Niekro played for 5 teams; the Milwaukee Braves, Atlanta Braves, New York Yankees, Cleveland Indians and Toronto Blue Jays. Jean Faut (19252023), AAGPBL pitcher with two perfect Bob Richards (19262023), first athlete featured on Wheaties Greg Foster (19582023), world champion hurdler, Tom Sizemore (19612023), actor in Saving Private Ryan, Heat, Jerry Richardson (19362023), Carolina Panthers founder, Wayne Shorter (19332023), jazz saxophonist who co-founded Weather Report, Jean Faut (19252023), AAGPBL pitcher with two perfect games, Bob Richards (19262023), first athlete featured on Wheaties boxes, Greta Andersen (19272023), Olympic swimming champion. Former catcher Bob Uecker, who caught for Phil Niekro, said, "The way to catch a knuckleball is to wait until it stops rolling and pick it up. Mr. Niekro's longevity in a game that can be unforgiving for players who lose their timing, great eyesight, speed and ability to throw as they age is simply remarkable. The two things about Phil Niekro that I remember most - MLB 1965 Topps Clay Carroll, Phil Niekro #461. Amazingly, he won 121 games over the age of 40 thanks to his knuckleball. Subscribe to Stathead Baseball: Get your first month FREEYour All-Access Ticket to the Baseball Reference Database. 12,210th in major league history) He missed the 1963 season due to military service. ASSOCIATED . Some high school data is courtesy David McWater. He returned to Louisville in 1962 and had a 96 record. Every Sports Reference Social Media Account, Site Last Updated: Saturday, March 4, 12:52AM. 300, entered the bottom of the ninth having shut out the Jays on curveballs, slip pitches, fastballs and screwballs -- everything but a knuckleball. This record stood for nearly 25 years before Jamie Moyer (47 years, 170 days) bested the feat in May 2010. However, since a typical major league starting rotation exceeds the length of a series against any one opponent, one way a manager can mitigate this disadvantage is to adjust his team's pitching rotation so as to eliminate (or at least minimize) games in which a knuckleballer would pitch against teams with a preponderance of fast baserunners. First called up by Milwaukee in 1964, Niekro seesawed between the majors and minors, a pitcher struggling to find a niche and willing catchers. FILE - In this March 29, 2007, file photo, Baseball Hall of Famer Phil Niekro holds a knuckleball at the Great Lakes Science Center in Cleveland. Baseball Hall of Famer, knuckleballer Phil Niekro dies at 81 As of 2004[update], only about 70 Major League Baseball pitchers have regularly used the knuckleball during their careers, and its use has become rarer over time. For the 2012 documentary film, see, position players making pitching appearances, Game 5 of the 2004 American League Championship Series, "The Physics of Baseball: Knuckleball Research", "I am 2-time NL MVP Dale Murphy, former MLB player for the Braves, Phillies and Rockies. He won the National League Gold Glove Award five times, was selected to five All-Star teams, and led the league in victories twice and earned run average once. Phil Niekro who hurled most of his famous knuckle balls with the Braves, died on Saturday . FILE - In this March 29, 2007, file photo, Baseball Hall of Famer Phil Niekro holds a knuckleball at the Great Lakes Science Center in Cleveland. "[10], In 1991, Hall of Fame catcher Rick Ferrell was quoted as saying, "I think the knuckleball is fading out." Following a 23-13 season in 1969 that firmly established him as one of baseballs best, the durable Niekro consistently piled up innings and perplexed batters. After he was notified, Niekro said, "Giving a description of today's phone call is impossible. The air flow over a seam of the ball causes the ball to change from laminar to turbulent flow. http://www.courtsidetweets.comPhil Niekro of the New York Yankees wins his 300th game in Toronto against the Blue Jays! He reinvented pitching by adding this slow, crazy moving pitch. Exceeded rookie limits during 1965 season, View Player Bio "It actually giggles at you as it goes by," said former outfielder Rick Monday. Trying to hit that thing is a miserable way to make a living. During the 1945 season, with talent depleted by call-ups to fight in World War II, the Washington Senators had a pitching rotation which included four knuckleball pitchers (Dutch Leonard, Johnny Niggeling, Mickey "Itsy Bitsy" Haefner, and Roger Wolff) who combined for 60 complete games and 60 wins, carrying the Senators to second place. Niekro started Game One of the subsequent 1982 National League Championship Series against the St. Louis Cardinals and pitched well, but the game was called on account of rain just before it became official. Hall of Fame pitcher Phil Niekro, famous for signature knuckleball Niekro was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1997 and served on the Museums Board of Directors since 2009. Ralph Kiner compared Niekro's special pitch to "watching Mario Andretti park a car". And todays two tips are all about reducing those variables. The Braves finished 3rd, 4th, and 5th in their division. Phil Niekro, Baseball Hall of Fame knuckleballer, dies at 81 - USA TODAY [3][4] He was of Polish descent. December 27, 2020 . Memorial Park South Cemetery, Flowery Branch, GA, High School: Bridgeport HS (Bridgeport, OH), Debut: La maledetta che sfida la fisica", "Noughty Boys: No one hit a free-kick quite like Juninho Pernambucano", "Pele to Zico to Beckham to Ronaldo: Evolution of the Free-Kick Masters", "Mestre de Pirlo, Juninho Pernambucano ensinou italiano a bater falta", "The Top 15 Best Shooters in World Football", "Bonansea: I was always daydreaming of football in class", The (Mostly) Complete List of Knuckleball Pitchers, NPR.org on the Red Sox's re-acquisition of Doug Mirabelli, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Knuckleball&oldid=1137620558, This page was last edited on 5 February 2023, at 16:41. Baseball Hall of Famer, knuckleballer Phil Niekro dies at 81 Philip Henry Niekro (/ n i k r o / NEE-kroh; April 1, 1939 - December 26, 2020), nicknamed "Knucksie", was an American baseball pitcher who played 24 seasons in Major League Baseball, 20 of them with the Milwaukee / Atlanta Braves.Niekro's 318 career victories are the most by a knuckleballer and rank 16th on MLB's all-time wins list.He won the National League Gold Glove Award five . The Knuckleball Club PDF Full Book - Read Book Network The Polish and Ohio Valley Origins of Hall of Famer Phil Niekro (1939 In the finale, manager Billy Martin handed pitching coach duties to Joe Niekro and the ball to Phil Niekro. By all accounts, Niekro, like Murphy and legendary former Braves manager Bobby Cox Niekro's manager from 1978-81 and the general manager when the Braves brought Niekro back in 1987 are . Should throw a knuckleball? Explained by Sharing Culture [20], As of 2019[update], Steven Wright of the Boston Red Sox was considered to be the last active knuckleballer in the MLB; he has since been released from the team. This change adds a deflecting force to the baseball, making it difficult for batters to hit but also difficult for pitchers to control and catchers to catch; umpires are challenged as well, as the ball's irregular motion through the air makes it harder to call balls and strikes. Phil Niekro achieved . He reinvented pitching by adding this slow, crazy moving pitch. R. A. Dickey argues that, "for most managers, it takes a special manager to be able to really trust it the bad and the good of it. This use of a "specialist" catcher continued into the 2008 season following the signing of Kevin Cash, and 2009 saw George Kottaras fulfill this role. By adding a third finger, you make the process a lot more difficult. Phil Niekro was 6-1 (185 cm) tall. It was a career summed up by his dedication to a pitch that can be as confounding as it is unhittable. He'd made a living escaping such jams with a knuckleball that would . [1], From 1971 to 1973, he combined for a record of 4436. I LOVE NEW YORK is a registered trademark and service mark of the New York State Department of Economic Development; used with permission. One 2007 study offered evidence for this conclusion. [16] He started the 1987 season with the Indians, going 711 in 26 starts. In 1969, his first All-Star season, he had a 2313 season with a 2.56 ERA,[1] finishing second in the National League Cy Young award balloting to Tom Seaver. Some defensive statistics Copyright Sports Info Solutions, 2010-2023. A little more pressure from any of the fingertips and the ball spins. Youve made you development 50% more difficult. Niekro threw a no-hitter against the Padres on Aug. 5, 1973, and won his 300th career game on the final day of the 1985 season by throwing just one knuckler on the last pitch of the game. from the SABR BioProject, Relatives: Brother ofJoe Niekro; Uncle ofLance Niekro, More Phil Niekro Pages at Baseball Reference. Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher Phil Niekro has died at the age of 81 after a battle with cancer, the Atlanta Braves announced on Sunday. His success eventually forced the team to take a chance on a knuckleballer as a starting pitcher. Hij doelde daarmee op top-knuckleballers in de Major League als Tim Wakefield en Phil Niekro . Associated Press. Niekro was born in Blaine, Ohio, and grew up in Lansing, Ohio, the son of Henrietta (Klinkoski) and Philip Niekro. Atlanta, Sept. 27, 1987 __ Phil Niekro was in a jam. All three fingers. "I figured if there's any way I'm going to win my 300th game by striking the guy out, I was going to do it with the pitch that won the first game for me," Niekro said. He appeared in relief three times, earning two saves. Much of the play-by-play, game results, and transaction information both shown and used to create certain data sets was obtained free of charge from and is copyrighted by RetroSheet. 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. After work hours guitarist, DJ, record label owner and New York style pizza aficionado. Niekro, who pitched well into his 40s with a knuckleball that baffled big league hitters for more than two decades, mostly with the Atlanta Braves, has died after a long fight with cancer, the team announced Sunday, Dec. 27, 2020. We present them here for purely educational purposes. Uecker acknowledged he did a lot of chasing. During his twenty-one seasons with the Atlanta Braves, "Knucksie," as he was known, became one of the most popular players in franchise history. Full-year historical Major League statistics provided by Pete Palmer and Gary Gillette of Hidden Game Sports. This grip can also include digging the fingernails into the surface of the ball. You do not push a knuckleball with the fingers. It hit me in the shinguard, bounced out to Clete Boyer at third base and he threw out the runner at first. Niekro joined Al Kaline, Tom Seaver, Lou Brock, Bob Gibson . The team was eliminated from the playoffs after losing the next two games. Heck, he didn't even know where it was going most of the time. He did not throw his trademark knuckleball throughout the game until the final hitter;[13] to former AL MVP Jeff Burroughs. "I was a one-pitch pitcher.". Self-guided tour or VIP experience. Check out some of his b. [10], Coaches have also been seen as a barrier to succeeding with the knuckleball. Niekro was a five-time All-Star and pitched a no-hitter in 1973 against the Padres. Niekro, who pitched well into his 40s with a . But the knuckleball carried Niekro to more than 300 wins, earned him a . The fluttering knuckler danced throughout the summers in the Atlanta heat, and by his late 30s Niekro became an absolute workhorse averaging 335 innings a season from 1977 through 1979 and becoming the last pitcher to post back-to-back seasons of at least 300 innings pitched. Two later pitchers, Jesse Haines and Freddie Fitzsimmons, were sometimes characterized as knuckleball pitchers even by their contemporaries, but in their cases it again refers to a harder-thrown, curving pitch that would probably not be called a knuckleball today. [3] In 1917, Druery taught the pitch to Eddie Rommel who became successful with it for the Philadelphia Athletics.[4]. Phil Niekro showing his grip at the Baseball Hall of Fame. Javascript is required for the selection of a player. Win Expectancy, Run Expectancy, and Leverage Index calculations provided by Tom Tango of InsideTheBook.com, and co-author of The Book: Playing the Percentages in Baseball. On occasion, teams have traded knuckleball pitchers and their catchers in the same transaction. But the knuckleball carried Niekro to more than 300 wins, earned him a spot in the Baseball Hall of Fame and gave him a nickname that stuck for the rest of his life. "[28] The year before, Niekro had received the most Hall of Fame votes out of all the players in the ballot, but had not received the required 75% of the vote for election. Baseball Hall of Famer Phil Niekro dies at 81 - MLB | NBC Sports December 27, 2020, 9:39 AM. Cicotte was widely reported to throw both the knuckleball and a variant on the spitball known as a "shine ball" (because he would "shine" one side of a dirty ball by rubbing it on his uniform). Logos were compiled by the amazing SportsLogos.net. Sun 27 Dec 2020 13.34 EST. His pitching coach? $5.98 + $1.98 shipping. Phil Niekro, Baseball Hall of Famer known for knuckleball, dies Copyright 2000-2023 Sports Reference LLC. Hall of Fame pitcher Phil Niekro, famous for signature knuckleball "Phil Niekro was one of the most distinctive and memorable pitchers of his generation," MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement. Hall Of Famer Phil Niekro, Pitcher Known For Knuckleball, Dies - Forbes All images are property the copyright holder and are displayed here for informational purposes only. Ed Summers, an Indianapolis teammate of Cicotte who adopted the pitch and helped develop it, modified it by holding the ball with his fingertips and using the thumb for balance. All four of these pitchers had a baseball WHIP below 1.35, which shows how effective they were at reducing hits and limiting walks per inning. In 1979, Phil, pitching for the Braves, and Joe, for the Astros, tied for the most victories in the National League, with 21 each. Do you have a sports website? The SPORTS REFERENCE and STATHEAD trademarks are owned exclusively by Sports Reference LLC. [] [2] Other accounts attribute the pitch's creation to Charles H. Druery, a pitcher in the Blue Ridge League. KNUCKSIE HASN'T LOST HIS GRIP - Sports Illustrated Phil's 121 career victories after the age of 40 is a major league record. Many current pitchers throw a curveball using a grip with the index finger touching the ball with the knuckle or fingertip (also called a spike curve). Hall of Fame pitcher Phil Niekro, famous for signature knuckleball [2] If a knuckleball does not change direction in mid-flight, however, then it is easy to hit due to its lack of speed. September 27, 1987 Talk about a weird assist: 253 on a strikeout. Hall Of Famer Phil Niekro, Known For His Knuckleball, Dies At 81 - NPR.org Share December 30, 2020. (Brad Mangin/National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum), Using his trademark knuckleball to baffle hitters, Phil Niekro was named to five All-Star Games. Nobody likes to warm up with you." Tom Candiotti, a notable knuckler in his time and a teammate of Niekro's with the 1986 Cleveland Indians, said that talking to Knucksie was "like talking to Thomas Edison about light bulbs.". By 1969, Niekro was an All-Star. April 1st, 2022. Phil Niekros record on the field ranks him as one of the games finest pitchers, said Jane Forbes Clark, Chairman of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. How many seasons did Phil Niekro play? Where was Phil Niekro born? Phil Niekro, Hall of Fame knuckleballer who starred with Braves, dies Phil Niekro pitched a no-hitter in 1973 but his most memorable game with the Braves came in 1982, when the team started the season with 13 consecutive wins and . Between 1964 and 1987, Phil racked up 318 wins (the most by a knuckleball pitcher), struck out over 3,000 and had a ERA of 3.35. Niekro was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1997. [12] He won 16 games in 1984 and made his fifth and final All-Star appearance. Baseball Hall of Famer, knuckleballer Phil Niekro dies at 81 Phil Niekro Sr., a laborer and part-time semi-pro pitcher, had mastered the knuckler after an arm injury threatened to end his playing days. 1978 TOPPS # 206 STRIKEOUT LEADERS NIEKRO RYAN NICE CARD | eBay Many historical player head shots courtesy of David Davis. If you have any question, please contact me at knuckleballnation@gmail.com, Monday Friday: 10am 9pmSaturday: 10am 4pm, Copyright OceanWP Knuckleball Nation. He emerged from Ohio coal mine country as a conventional pitching prospect, signing with the Braves in 1958 but resisting the knuckleball until a minor league manager told him to throw the knuckler or go home., (My father) taught it to me in the backyard, Niekro said. Or write about sports? in speed, and things like that." . He spent the next season with the Class AA Austin Senators. [43][44][45][46][47] This technique has also been used and even adapted by several other players, such as Andrea Pirlo,[48][39] Ronaldinho, Cristiano Ronaldo,[49] Didier Drogba,[49] Marcus Rashford, Gareth Bale,[38] and Barbara Bonansea. The Niekro brothers would face each other nine times in their career, with Joes team winning five. "Catching Niekro's knuckleball was great. Phil and Joe Niekro learned the pitch from their father, a Polish coal miner, and won a combined total of 539 games the most by two brothers in big league history. I didnt know what it was or anything, he showed me how to hold it and wed just play knuckleball in the backyard., Phil Niekro pitched for the Braves for 21 seasons, topping the 300-inning mark in four seasons. Coaches are quick to banish the pitch after one bad outing. . (Voted by BBWAA on 380/473 ballots) [14], Another factor contributing to the rarity of the knuckleball is the difficulty of throwing the pitch. Question, Comment, Feedback, or Correction? Phil Niekro was one of thirty-seven men to take the field for the 1965 Milwaukee Braves, the last year they existed (1953-1965) before moving to Atlanta.When Knucksie hung up his cleats in 1987, he was the last active player from the former team.. Phil Niekro, on July 29, 1977, joined the 4 Strikeouts in 1 Inning "club" - the first (known / located) instance by a Braves pitcher. They all sit behind home plate." Bob Uecker During 24 big league seasons, Phil Niekro rode his knuckleball to 5,404 innings pitched - the most of any pitcher who started his career in the live ball era. He amassed 121 victories after he turned 40 -- a major league record -- and pitched until he was 48. While learning to trust the pitch which is pushed toward home plate without any spin, allowing air currents to move the ball unpredictably Niekro ascended through the Braves minor league system. Dont do it. By 1967, Niekro was one of the top pitchers in the game, leading the NL that year with an ERA of 1.87. As a mentor, leader and friend, Phil brought out the best in all of us in Cooperstown. His 23 victories that season earned him second place in the National League Cy Young Award vote. He was 81. He would teach his sons, Phil Jr. and Joe, the pitch when they were youngsters. As used by Cicotte, the knuckleball was originally thrown by holding the ball with the knuckles, hence the name of the pitch. Knuckleball - Wikipedia Niekro passed away on Dec. 26, 2020, at the age of 81. On March 2, 2010, she trained with Tim Wakefield at the Boston Red Sox minor-league training facility. Nancy and I are deeply saddened by the news today of the passing of Phil Niekro. The history of the knuckleball, baseball's most difficult pitch Phil Niekro 1964-1983, 1987 (88.5 WAR) . And take a look at your grip. "But even more than his signature pitch and trademark durability, Phil will be remembered as one of our game's most genial people.

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phil niekro knuckleball speed