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Joe Niekro

Retired
 
High Level
MLB
Years
1967-1988 (1967-1988)
Proper Name
Joseph Franklin Niekro
Positions
P (702)
Positions
P
Height / Weight
6-1 / 190
Bats / Throws
Right / Right
Birthdate
November 7,1944
Death Date
October 27,2006   Age:  61.354
High School
Bridgeport (Bridgeport,OH)
Colleges
West Liberty University (West Liberty,WV)
Drafted/Signed
1966-3-43-Chicago Cubs
MLB Debut
April 16,1967
Contract Info
1988-1988 ($0.8m)
MLBAM ID
119785
Retrosheet#
niekj001
More Player Information
Stat Capsulew-lggssviphsoerawhip
MLB Career221-204702500163,584.0346617473.591.32

[Player Notes]

Father of Lance Niekro ... Brother of Phil Niekro ... Uncle of Phil Dillmore[1968] Opening day starter for the Chicago Cubs[1981] Opening day starter for the Houston Astros[1983] Opening day starter for the Houston Astros[1984] Opening day starter for the Houston Astros[1987] World Series Champion with Minnesota Twins[2019] Inducted into the Houston Astros Hall of FameMore Notes

Pitching Statistics

csv
Glossary
yearteam nameleaguelevelmlb#agewleraggscgshogfgrsviphrerhrbbsowpbkhbwhiph9hr9bb9so9ra9so_bb
1967Chicago CubsNLMLBCHN48221073.343622729140169.217168631532771021.209.070.801.704.083.612.41
1968Chicago CubsNLMLBCHN482314104.32342921452177.020493851859653031.4910.370.923.003.314.731.10
1969Chicago CubsNLMLBCHN4824013.72430001019.124983670001.5511.171.402.793.264.191.17
1969San Diego PadresNLMLBSDN37248173.70373183660202.021391831545554001.289.490.672.002.454.051.22
1970Detroit TigersALMLBDET192512134.06383462240213.02211079628721011031.389.341.183.044.274.521.40
1971Detroit TigersALMLBDET1926674.493115005161122.113662611349432021.5110.010.963.603.164.560.88
1972Detroit TigersALMLBDET1927323.8318710411147.062202038242011.4911.870.571.534.603.833.00
1973Atlanta BravesNLMLBATL3628244.13200001120324.0231111211123001.428.630.754.134.504.131.09
1974Atlanta BravesNLMLBATL3229323.5627200925043.0361917518313021.267.531.053.776.493.981.72
1975Houston AstrosNLMLBHOU3630643.07404112136488.0793230339542021.348.080.313.995.523.271.38
1976Houston AstrosNLMLBHOU3631483.363613005230118.01076044856778011.388.160.614.275.874.581.38
1977Houston AstrosNLMLBHOU36321383.0444149212305180.2155666114641015111.217.720.703.195.033.291.58
1978Houston AstrosNLMLBHOU363314143.863529101260202.219097871373979091.308.440.583.244.314.311.33
1979Houston AstrosNLMLBHOU363421113.003838115000263.2221102881710711919071.247.540.583.654.063.481.11
1980Houston AstrosNLMLBHOU363520123.553736112110256.0268119101127912712041.369.420.422.784.464.181.61
1981Houston AstrosNLMLBHOU3636992.82242452000166.01506052847777001.198.130.432.554.173.251.64
1982Houston AstrosNLMLBHOU363717122.473535165000270.02247974126413019051.077.470.402.134.332.632.03
1983Houston AstrosNLMLBHOU363815143.48383891000263.22381151021510115214131.298.120.513.455.193.931.50
1984Houston AstrosNLMLBHOU363916123.04383861000248.122310484168912712141.268.080.583.234.603.771.43
1985Houston AstrosNLMLBHOU36409123.72323241000213.019710088219911721151.398.320.894.184.944.231.18
1985New York YankeesALMLBNYA3140215.84330000012.114883840001.7810.222.195.842.925.840.50
1986New York YankeesALMLBNYA39,47419104.87252500000125.2139846815635910111.619.951.074.514.236.020.94
1987New York YankeesALMLBNYA3942343.55881000050.2402520419300041.167.110.713.375.334.441.58
1987Minnesota TwinsALMLBMIN3642496.2619180001096.1115766711455413061.6610.741.034.205.047.101.20
1988Minnesota TwinsALMLBMIN36431110.03520023011.21613132972302.1412.341.546.945.4010.030.78
1967MLBTotal--CHN----1073.343622721490169.217168631532771021.209.070.801.704.083.612.41
1968MLBTotal--CHN----14104.32342921542177.020493851859653031.4910.370.923.003.314.731.10
1969MLBTotal--CHN,SDN----8183.70413483760221.1237100911851624001.309.640.732.072.524.071.22
1970MLBTotal--DET----12134.06383462420213.02211079628721011031.389.341.183.044.274.521.40
1971MLBTotal--DET----674.493115001651122.113662611349432021.5110.010.963.603.164.560.88
1972MLBTotal--DET----323.8318710114147.062202038242011.4911.870.571.534.603.833.00
1973MLBTotal--ATL----244.12200002011324.0231111211123001.428.620.754.124.504.121.09
1974MLBTotal--ATL----323.5627200259043.0361917518313021.267.531.053.776.493.981.72
1975MLBTotal--HOU----643.07404113621488.0793230339542021.348.080.313.995.523.271.38
1976MLBTotal--HOU----483.363613002350118.01076044856778011.388.160.614.275.874.581.38
1977MLBTotal--HOU----1383.0444149230125180.2155666114641015111.217.720.703.195.033.291.58
1978MLBTotal--HOU----14143.863529101620202.219097871373979091.308.440.583.244.314.311.33
1979MLBTotal--HOU----21113.003838115000263.2221102881710711919071.247.540.583.654.063.481.11
1980MLBTotal--HOU----20123.553736112110256.0268119101127912712041.369.420.422.784.464.181.61
1981MLBTotal--HOU----992.82242452000166.01506052847777001.198.130.432.554.173.251.64
1982MLBTotal--HOU----17122.473535165000270.02247974126413019051.077.470.402.134.332.632.03
1983MLBTotal--HOU----15143.48383891000263.22381151021510115214131.298.120.513.455.193.931.50
1984MLBTotal--HOU----16123.04383861000248.122310484168912712141.268.080.583.234.603.771.43
1985MLBTotal--HOU,NYA----11133.83353541000225.1211108962410712121151.418.430.964.274.834.311.13
1986MLBTotal--NYA----9104.87252500000125.2139846815635910111.619.951.074.514.236.020.94
1987MLBTotal--NYA,MIN----7135.33272610100147.015510187156484130101.499.490.923.925.146.181.31
1988MLBTotal--MIN----1110.03520032011.21613132972302.1412.341.546.945.4010.030.78
Tot:MLB (22 yrs)MLB2212043.597025001072920293163584.0346616201431276126217471728651.328.700.693.174.394.071.38
Tot:NL (16 yrs)NL1811573.34555388992716780142905.027231225107819798914251424481.288.440.613.064.413.801.44
Tot:AL (7 yrs)AL40474.681471128235132679.074339535379273322304171.509.851.053.624.275.241.18

Batting Statistics

csv
Glossary
yearteam nameleaguelevelmlb#ageposgabrh2b3bhrrbisbcsbbsohbpshsfiwdptbpaxbh1bavgobpslgopssecaisobabipbb%so%so_bbab_hr
1967Chicago CubsNLMLBCHN4822P364659200111011309201115827.196.204.239.443.087.043.2571.7222.4113.000.00
1968Chicago CubsNLMLBCHN4823P3460260000004230900167306.100.156.100.256.067.000.1625.4831.515.750.00
1969Chicago CubsNLMLBCHN4824P450110020001010002610.200.200.400.600.200.200.2500.0016.670.000.00
1969San Diego PadresNLMLBSDN3724P3851161002006170510376315.118.207.137.344.137.019.1719.5226.982.830.00
1970Detroit TigersALMLBDET1925P3966813310700717015000188849.197.274.273.547.182.076.2657.9519.322.430.00
1971Detroit TigersALMLBDET1926P323054100200290600053813.133.188.167.355.100.034.1905.2623.684.500.00
1972Detroit TigersALMLBDET1927P181223100100140100041412.250.308.333.641.167.083.3757.1428.574.000.00
1973Atlanta BravesNLMLBATL3628P2030100000001000001301.333.333.333.666.000.000.5000.0033.330.000.00
1974Atlanta BravesNLMLBATL3229P2750000000001010000600.000.000.000.000.000.000.0000.0016.670.000.00
1975Houston AstrosNLMLBHOU3630P401413000000220200031803.214.313.214.527.143.000.25011.1111.111.000.00
1976Houston AstrosNLMLBHOU3631P3627152011001804000103232.185.214.370.584.222.185.2223.1325.008.0027.00
1977Houston AstrosNLMLBHOU3632P4450270002002130300275507.140.173.140.313.040.000.1893.6423.646.500.00
1978Houston AstrosNLMLBHOU3633P36656920050001809002117427.138.138.169.307.031.031.1910.0024.320.000.00
1979Houston AstrosNLMLBHOU3634P3883110200400221013100129928.120.140.145.285.048.025.1592.0221.2110.500.00
1980Houston AstrosNLMLBHOU3635P3780722500100041501800227102517.275.310.338.648.113.063.3383.9214.713.750.00
1981Houston AstrosNLMLBHOU3636P245119100600210011000106418.176.208.196.404.059.020.2203.1315.635.000.00
1982Houston AstrosNLMLBHOU3637P35892820050013007101109826.090.099.112.211.034.022.1331.0230.6130.000.00
1983Houston AstrosNLMLBHOU3638P388518200200022112001109826.094.105.118.223.024.024.1270.0022.450.000.00
1984Houston AstrosNLMLBHOU3639P38834110006002210110001196011.133.153.133.286.024.000.1772.0821.8810.500.00
1985Houston AstrosNLMLBHOU3640P32686171006001160101041880116.250.257.265.522.029.015.3211.2520.0016.000.00
1967MLBTotal--CHN------364659200111011309201115827.196.204.239.443.087.043.2571.7222.4113.00NL1967
1968MLBTotal--CHN------3460260000004230900167306.100.156.100.256.067.000.1625.4831.515.75NL1968
1969MLBTotal--SDN,CHN------4256172004006180610396925.125.206.161.367.143.036.1798.7026.093.00NL1969
1970MLBTotal--DET------3966813310700717015000188849.197.274.273.547.182.076.2657.9519.322.43AL1970
1971MLBTotal--DET------323054100200290600053813.133.188.167.354.100.033.1905.2623.684.50AL1971
1972MLBTotal--DET------181223100100140100041412.250.308.333.641.167.083.3757.1428.574.00AL1972
1973MLBTotal--ATL------2030100000001000001301.333.333.333.667.000.000.5000.0033.33NL1973
1974MLBTotal--ATL------2750000000001010000600.000.000.000.000.000.000.0000.0016.67NL1974
1975MLBTotal--HOU------401413000000220200031803.214.313.214.527.143.000.25011.1111.111.00NL1975
1976MLBTotal--HOU------3627152011001804000103232.185.214.370.585.222.185.2223.1325.008.0027.00NL1976
1977MLBTotal--HOU------4450270002002130300275507.140.173.140.313.040.000.1893.6423.646.50NL1977
1978MLBTotal--HOU------36656920050001809002117427.138.138.169.308.031.031.1910.0024.32NL1978
1979MLBTotal--HOU------3883110200400221013100129928.120.140.145.284.048.024.1592.0221.2110.50NL1979
1980MLBTotal--HOU------3780722500100041501800227102517.275.310.338.647.113.063.3383.9214.713.75NL1980
1981MLBTotal--HOU------245119100600210011000106418.176.208.196.404.059.020.2203.1315.635.00NL1981
1982MLBTotal--HOU------35892820050013007101109826.090.099.112.211.034.022.1331.0230.6130.00NL1982
1983MLBTotal--HOU------388518200200022112001109826.094.105.118.222.024.024.1270.0022.45NL1983
1984MLBTotal--HOU------38834110006002210110001196011.133.153.133.285.024.000.1772.0821.8810.50NL1984
1985MLBTotal--HOU------32686171006001160101041880116.250.257.265.522.029.015.3211.2520.0016.00NL1985
Tot:MLB (19 yrs)MLB64697355152261172103826211476017183116528124.156.188.188.376.072.032.2113.2622.496.89973.00
Tot:NL (16 yrs)NL55786540132210162102823211256017156102522110.153.179.180.359.061.028.2052.7322.638.29865.00
Tot:AL (3 yrs)AL8910815205101000103002200027140614.185.254.250.504.157.065.2567.1421.433.00

Other Pitching Statistics

csv
Glossary
yearteam nameleaguecategoryagewleraggscgshogfgrsviphrerhrbbsowpbkhbwhiph9hr9bb9so9ra9so_bb
1980Houston AstrosChampionship SeriesPlayoffs35000.00100001010.06000120000.705.400.000.901.800.002.00
1981Houston AstrosDivision SeriesPlayoffs36000.0010000108.07000340001.257.880.003.384.500.001.33
1987Minnesota TwinsWorld SeriesPlayoffs42000.0010000102.01000110001.004.500.004.504.500.001.00
Tot:Playoffs (3 Yrs)Playoffs000.00000003020.014000570000.956.300.002.253.150.001.40
Player pitching statistics considered to be non-regular season leagues and events.

Other Batting Statistics

csv
Glossary
yearteam nameleaguecategoryagegabrh2b3bhrrbisbcsbbsohbpshsfiwdptbpaxbh1bavgobpslgopssecaisobabipbb%so%so_bbab_hr
1980Houston AstrosChampionship SeriesPlayoffs35130000000001000000300.000.000.000.000.000.000.0000.0033.330.000.00
1981Houston AstrosDivision SeriesPlayoffs36120000000000000000200.000.000.000.000.000.000.0000.000.000.000.00
Tot:Playoffs (2 Yrs)Playoffs250000000001000000500.000.000.000.000.000.000.0000.0020.00
Player batting statistics considered to be non-regular season leagues and events.

Fielding Statistics

csv
Glossary
yearteamleaguelevelageposggsinnpoaedptctscsbcssb%fpctrfgrfirf9itm sharepl sharetm rank
1967Chicago CubsNLMLB22P36-169.21026013636001.0001.00.211.8922.4100.04
1968Chicago CubsNLMLB23P34-177.1933024242001.0001.20.242.1621.0100.05
1969San Diego PadresNLMLB24P37-202.0192951534800.9061.30.242.1622.897.46
Show all fielding records and totals
Fielding Statistics are updated at the conclusion of season

Yearly Summary

csv
Glossary
yearteamleaguelevelmlb-classagewlrankrpigpmanagersalaryservice timeplayoffsawards
1967Chicago CubsNLMLBCHN2287743-36Leo Durocherdnq
1968Chicago CubsNLMLBCHN2384783-34Leo Durocherdnq
1969Chicago CubsNLMLBCHN2492702-4Leo Durocherdnq
1969San Diego PadresNLMLBSDN24521106-38Preston Gomezdnq
1970Detroit TigersALMLBDET2579834-39Mayo Smithdnq
1971Detroit TigersALMLBDET2691712-32Billy Martindnq
1972Detroit TigersALMLBDET2786701-18Billy MartinLost ALCS (Athletics)
1973Atlanta BravesNLMLBATL2876855-20Eddie Mathewsdnq
1974Atlanta BravesNLMLBATL2988743-27Eddie Mathews, Clyde Kingdnq
1975Houston AstrosNLMLBHOU3064976-40Preston Gomez, Bill Virdondnq
1976Houston AstrosNLMLBHOU3180823-36Bill Virdondnq
1977Houston AstrosNLMLBHOU3281813-44Bill Virdondnq
1978Houston AstrosNLMLBHOU3374885-36Bill Virdondnq
1979Houston AstrosNLMLBHOU3489732-38Bill VirdondnqNL-ZOTM
1980Houston AstrosNLMLBHOU3593701-37Bill VirdonLost NLCS (Phillies)
1981Houston AstrosNLMLBHOU3661490-24Bill VirdonLost in 1st Round (Dodgers)
1982Houston AstrosNLMLBHOU3777855-35Bill Virdon, Bob Lillisdnq
1983Houston AstrosNLMLBHOU3885773-38Bob Lillisdnq
1984Houston AstrosNLMLBHOU3980822-38Bob Lillisdnq
1985Houston AstrosNLMLBHOU4083794-32Bob Lillis825,000dnq
1985New York YankeesALMLBNYA4097642-3Billy Martin, Yogi Berra825,000dnq
1986New York YankeesALMLBNYA4190722-25Lou Piniella750,000dnq
1987Minnesota TwinsALMLBMIN4285771-19Tom Kelly60,000Won World Series (Cardinals)
1987New York YankeesALMLBNYA4289734-8Lou Piniella60,000dnq
1988Minnesota TwinsALMLBMIN4391712-5Tom Kelly800,000dnq
25 record(s)
Based on playing years with listed statistics and available season data.

Baseball Jobs

csv
Glossary
yearteam nameleaguelevelcategorymlb orgjobwlwpctrankgblPlayoffs
1987PortlandPCLAAAMinorMINPitching Coach4596.319539.0dnq
1988PortlandPCLAAAMinorMINPitching Coach7666.53529.0Lost in Semi-Finals
2 record(s)

Transactions

csv
Glossary
datetransaction descriptionteamminor team40-manstatus
1988-05-04Released by TwinsNoHist
1988-02-09Signed to 1-year contract for 1988-1988 ($0.8m) [Free Agent]Minnesota TwinsNoHist
1988-01-22Granted free agencyNoHist
1987-06-07Traded from New York Yankees to Minnesota Twins for Mark SalasMinnesota TwinsNoHist
1986-07-17Activated from Disabled ListNew York YankeesNoHist
1986-06-29DL - FingernailNew York YankeesNoInjury
1986-01-08Signed to #-year contract for 1986-1986 ($0m) [Free Agent]New York YankeesNoHist
1985-11-12Granted free agencyNoHist
1985-09-15Traded from Houston Astros to New York Yankees for Jim Deshaies, Neder Horta (9/24/1985) and Dody Rather (1/11/1986)New York YankeesNoHist
1975-04-06Sold by Atlanta Braves to Houston Astros for $35,000Houston AstrosNoHist
Show all transactions

Salaries and Contracts

csv
Glossary
yearteamagesalarytm ranklg rankavg salarylg minimumservice timecontract
1985Houston Astros40825,000376371,57160,000
1986New York Yankees41750,0008132412,52060,000
1987New York Yankees4260,00028513412,45462,500
1988Minnesota Twins43800,0008137438,72962,500Signed to 1-year contract for 1988-1988 ($0.8m) [Free Agent] [1988-02-09]
4 season(s)$2,435,000Career Earnings
Talent Ratings
Strikeouts
36
Walks
55
Hittable
53
SO/BB
45
vsPower
53
Hitting
47
Durability
82
Team
.515

[Career Highlights]

[1966]  Drafted by the Cleveland Indians in Round #7 (#84) out of West Liberty University (Did not sign) ... Drafted by the Chicago Cubs in Round #3 (#43) out of West Liberty University
[1967]  Played for Chicago Cubs (MLB) ... Finished top 10 in NL in Sacrifice Hits, Walks per 9 Innings
[1968]  Played for Chicago Cubs (MLB) ... Finished top 10 in NL in Earned Runs Allowed, Home Runs Allowed ... Opening day starter for the Chicago Cubs
[1969]  Played for Chicago Cubs (MLB) ... Played for San Diego Padres (MLB) ... Finished top 10 in NL in Losses, Walks per 9 Innings
[1970]  Played for Detroit Tigers (MLB) ... Finished top 10 in AL in Sacrifice Hits, Shutouts, Home Runs Allowed
[1971]  Played for Detroit Tigers (MLB)
[1972]  Played for Detroit Tigers (MLB)
Show full Career Summary [1966-2019]
Page Last Updated: 2/23/2025 7:36:16 PM