Starting Pitcher - Phil Niekro (R, 1966-83, '87) | |
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Joe Simpson, Phil Niekro, and Michael Marcey - Braves 400 Club President |
The winningest pitcher in Atlanta Braves history, as well as a member of both the National Baseball Hall of Fame and the Braves Hall of Fame, Phil Niekro was a cornerstone of the franchise for nearly two full decades.
"Knucksie", as Niekro was known for his reliance on the rare and elusive knuckleball, held the Atlanta record for lowest ERA in a season (1.87 in 1968) until Greg Maddux beat it in 1994. Once he made the Atlanta roster to stay in 1967, he reached double figures in victories for 14 consecutive seasons and 16 of 17 despite pitching for some very poor teams.
A four-time NL All-Star, Niekro was instrumental in the Braves winning two division titles during his tenure. he won a career-high 23 games for the 1969 division champs and, at age 43, was 17-4 (a league-leading .810 percentage) for the 1982 title team.
Niekro was a three-time 20-game winner for Atlanta. He holds or shares nearly all of the Atlanta-era career pitching records, and on Aug. 5, 1973, he pitched the only individual no-hitter ever by a Brave in Atlanta. His uniform No. 35 is retired by the franchise.
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Chipper Jones | Ralph Garr | Dale Murphy | Hank Aaron | Andruw Jones | David Justice Phil Niekro | Gene Garber | Tom Glavine | Greg Maddux | John Smoltz | Bobby Cox |
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