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Phil Niekro

Retired
 
High Level
MLB
Years
1964-1987 (1964-1987)
Proper Name
Philip Henry Niekro
Nickname
Knucksie
Positions
P (902)
Positions
P
Height / Weight
6-1 / 180
Bats / Throws
Right / Right
Birthdate
April 1,1939
Death Date
December 26,2020   Age:  81.269
High School
Bridgeport (Bridgeport,OH)
Drafted/Signed
UDFA: 1958-Milwaukee Braves
MLB Debut
April 15,1964
MLBAM ID
119786
Retrosheet#
niekp001
More Player Information
Stat Capsulew-lggssviphsoerawhip
MLB Career318-274864716295,404.1504433423.351.27

[Player Notes]

Brother of Joe Niekro ... Uncle of Lance Niekro ... Subject of Chapter 18 of the book The Baseball 100 by Joe Posnarski[1970] Opening day starter for the Atlanta Braves[1971] Opening day starter for the Atlanta Braves[1972] Opening day starter for the Atlanta Braves[1973] Pitched 9-0 no-hitter for Atlanta Braves vs San Diego Padres on August 5,1973[1975] Opening day starter for the Atlanta Braves[1978] Opening day starter for the Atlanta Braves[1979] Winner of the Lou Gehrig Memorial Award (Character and Integrity) ... Opening day starter for the Atlanta Braves[1980] Opening day starter for the Atlanta Braves[1983] Opening day starter for the Atlanta Braves[1984] His #35 was retired by the Braves on August 6,1984[1985] Opening day starter for the New York Yankees[1997] Inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame (Baseball Writers)[1999] Inducted into the Atlanta Braves Hall of FameMore Notes

Pitching Statistics

csv
Glossary
yearteam nameleaguelevelmlb#agewleraggscgshogfgrsviphrerhrbbsowpbkhbwhiph9hr9bb9so9ra9so_bb
1964Milwaukee BravesNLMLBMLN3525004.8010000210015.0151081781011.479.000.604.204.806.001.14
1965Milwaukee BravesNLMLBMLN3526232.89411002140674.2733224526499031.338.800.603.135.913.861.88
1966Atlanta BravesNLMLBATL3527434.11280001028250.1483223423173021.418.580.724.113.045.720.74
1967Atlanta BravesNLMLBATL35281191.87462010120269207.0164644395512919171.067.130.392.395.612.782.35
1968Atlanta BravesNLMLBATL352914122.593734155332257.02288374164514016351.067.980.561.584.902.913.11
1969Atlanta BravesNLMLBATL353023132.564035214451284.12359381215719315051.037.440.661.806.112.943.39
1970Atlanta BravesNLMLBATL353112184.273432103120229.222212410940681686261.268.701.572.666.584.862.47
1971Atlanta BravesNLMLBATL353215142.984236184462268.22481128927701738131.188.310.902.345.803.752.47
1972Atlanta BravesNLMLBATL353316123.063836171120282.125411296225316410351.098.100.701.695.233.573.09
1973Atlanta BravesNLMLBATL353413103.314230917124245.021410390218913111051.247.860.773.274.813.781.47
1974Atlanta BravesNLMLBATL353520132.384139186121302.1249918019881956461.117.410.572.625.802.712.22
1975Atlanta BravesNLMLBATL353615153.203937131220275.2285115982972144152111.309.300.952.354.703.752.00
1976Atlanta BravesNLMLBATL353717113.293837102110270.2249116991810117314481.298.280.603.365.753.861.71
1977Atlanta BravesNLMLBATL353816204.034443202110330.13151661482616426217381.458.580.714.477.144.521.60
1978Atlanta BravesNLMLBATL353919182.884442224121334.129512910716102248113131.197.940.432.756.683.472.43
1979Atlanta BravesNLMLBATL354021203.394444231000342.031116012941113208184111.248.181.082.975.474.211.84
1980Atlanta BravesNLMLBATL354115183.634038113221275.025611911130851769131.248.380.982.785.763.892.07
1981Atlanta BravesNLMLBATL3542773.10222233000139.11205648656622011.267.750.393.624.003.621.11
1982Atlanta BravesNLMLBATL35431743.61353542000234.12251069423731444131.278.640.882.805.534.071.97
1983Atlanta BravesNLMLBATL354411103.97343320010201.22129489181051286321.579.460.804.695.714.201.22
1984New York YankeesALMLBNYA35451683.09323151110215.2219857415761362031.379.140.633.175.683.551.79
1985New York YankeesALMLBNYA354616124.09333371000220.0203110100291201495221.478.301.194.916.104.501.24
1986Cleveland IndiansALMLBCLE354711114.32343250120210.12411261012495819261.6010.311.034.063.475.390.85
1987Cleveland IndiansALMLBCLE35487115.89222220000123.214283811853579241.5810.331.313.864.156.041.08
1987Toronto Blue JaysALMLBTOR3548028.25330000012.01511114771101.8311.253.005.255.258.251.00
1987Atlanta BravesNLMLBATL35480015.0011000003.06550600004.0018.000.0018.000.0015.000.00
1964MLBTotal--MLN----004.8010000102015.0151081781011.479.000.604.204.806.001.14
1965MLBTotal--MLN----232.89411004021674.2733224526499031.338.800.603.135.913.861.88
1966MLBTotal--ATL----434.11280002810250.1483223423173021.418.580.724.113.045.720.74
1967MLBTotal--ATL----1191.87462010126209207.0164644395512919171.067.130.392.395.612.782.35
1968MLBTotal--ATL----14122.593734155332257.02288374164514016351.067.980.561.584.902.913.11
1969MLBTotal--ATL----23132.564035214541284.12359381215719315051.037.440.661.806.112.943.39
1970MLBTotal--ATL----12184.273432103210229.222212410940681686261.268.701.572.666.584.862.47
1971MLBTotal--ATL----15142.984236184642268.22481128927701738131.188.310.902.345.803.752.47
1972MLBTotal--ATL----16123.063836171210282.125411296225316410351.098.100.701.695.233.573.09
1973MLBTotal--ATL----13103.314230911274245.021410390218913111051.247.860.773.274.813.781.47
1974MLBTotal--ATL----20132.384139186211302.1249918019881956461.117.410.572.625.802.712.22
1975MLBTotal--ATL----15153.203937131220275.2285115982972144152111.309.300.952.354.703.752.00
1976MLBTotal--ATL----17113.293837102110270.2249116991810117314481.298.280.603.365.753.861.71
1977MLBTotal--ATL----16204.034443202110330.13151661482616426217381.458.580.714.477.144.521.60
1978MLBTotal--ATL----19182.884442224211334.129512910716102248113131.197.940.432.756.683.472.43
1979MLBTotal--ATL----21203.394444231000342.031116012941113208184111.248.181.082.975.474.211.84
1980MLBTotal--ATL----15183.634038113221275.025611911130851769131.248.380.982.785.763.892.07
1981MLBTotal--ATL----773.10222233000139.11205648656622011.267.750.393.624.003.621.11
1982MLBTotal--ATL----1743.61353542000234.12251069423731444131.278.640.882.805.534.071.97
1983MLBTotal--ATL----11103.97343320100201.22129489181051286321.579.460.804.695.714.201.22
1984MLBTotal--NYA----1683.09323151110215.2219857415761362031.379.140.633.175.683.551.79
1985MLBTotal--NYA----16124.09333371000220.0203110100291201495221.478.301.194.916.104.501.24
1986MLBTotal--CLE----11114.32343250210210.12411261012495819261.6010.311.034.063.475.390.85
1987MLBTotal--TOR,CLE,ATL----7136.30262620000138.2163999722666410341.6510.581.434.284.156.430.97
Tot:MLB (24 yrs)MLB3182743.358647162454514883295404.150442337201248218093342226421231.278.400.803.015.573.891.85
Tot:NL (21 yrs)NL2682303.207405952264314581294622.242241922164539214582912200351081.238.220.762.845.673.742.00
Tot:AL (4 yrs)AL50444.23124121192320781.282041536790351430267151.509.441.044.044.954.781.23

Batting Statistics

csv
Glossary
yearteam nameleaguelevelmlb#ageposgabrh2b3bhrrbisbcsbbsohbpshsfiwdptbpaxbh1bavgobpslgopssecaisobabipbb%so%so_bbab_hr
1965Milwaukee BravesNLMLBMLN3526P421001000000030000011001.100.100.100.200.000.000.1430.0030.000.000.00
1966Atlanta BravesNLMLBATL3527P28800000000060300001100.000.000.000.000.000.000.0000.0054.550.000.00
1967Atlanta BravesNLMLBATL3528P4657472002001162600296625.123.167.158.325.053.035.1711.5224.2416.000.00
1968Atlanta BravesNLMLBATL3529P377738102700022018000159535.104.104.195.299.091.091.1130.0023.160.0038.50
1969Atlanta BravesNLMLBATL3530P409511204007002210900124106416.211.227.253.480.063.042.2701.8919.8110.500.00
1970Atlanta BravesNLMLBATL3531P3479512001300217061011588111.152.171.190.361.063.038.1772.2719.328.5079.00
1971Atlanta BravesNLMLBATL3532P42923141004000201710015101113.152.160.163.323.011.011.1920.0019.800.000.00
1972Atlanta BravesNLMLBATL3533P-P389371810140012221110222108216.194.216.237.453.054.043.2390.9320.3722.0093.00
1973Atlanta BravesNLMLBATL3534P428231040120012617004179155.122.143.207.350.098.085.1641.1028.5726.0082.00
1974Atlanta BravesNLMLBATL3535P4110452020011003181910122118218.192.220.212.432.048.020.2302.5415.256.000.00
1975Atlanta BravesNLMLBATL3536P399951721010001180420121106314.172.176.212.388.051.040.2050.9416.9818.000.00
1976Atlanta BravesNLMLBATL3537P38945183011201081910324105414.191.198.255.453.053.064.1980.007.620.0094.00
1977Atlanta BravesNLMLBATL3538P4410921910070001511210320123118.174.180.183.363.009.009.2000.0012.200.000.00
1978Atlanta BravesNLMLBATL3539P4512052740010003251410331129423.225.248.258.506.058.033.2812.3319.388.330.00
1979Atlanta BravesNLMLBATL3540P44123102460012001192710130134618.195.213.244.457.057.049.2290.7514.1819.000.00
1980Atlanta BravesNLMLBATL3541P409021250050011905002179657.133.143.189.332.067.056.1691.0419.7919.000.00
1981Atlanta BravesNLMLBATL3542P2252140001000110300045504.077.077.077.154.000.000.0980.0020.000.000.00
1982Atlanta BravesNLMLBATL3543P3587617401700016031042491512.195.193.276.469.080.081.2250.0017.580.0087.00
1983Atlanta BravesNLMLBATL3544P3465312200500112061071473210.185.194.215.409.046.030.2221.3716.4412.000.00
1987Atlanta BravesNLMLBATL3548P110000000000000000100.000.000.000.000.000.000.0000.000.000.000.00
1965MLBTotal--MLN------421001000000030000011001.100.100.100.200.000.000.1430.0030.00NL1965
1966MLBTotal--ATL------28800000000060300001100.000.000.000.000.000.000.0000.0054.55NL1966
1967MLBTotal--ATL------4657472002001162600296625.123.167.158.325.053.035.1711.5224.2416.00NL1967
1968MLBTotal--ATL------377738102700022018000159535.104.104.195.299.091.091.1130.0023.1638.50NL1968
1969MLBTotal--ATL------409511204007002210900124106416.211.227.253.479.063.042.2701.8919.8110.50NL1969
1970MLBTotal--ATL------3479512001300217061011588111.152.171.190.361.063.038.1772.2719.328.5079.00NL1970
1971MLBTotal--ATL------42923141004000201710015101113.152.160.163.323.011.011.1920.0019.80NL1971
1972MLBTotal--ATL------389371810140012221110222108216.194.216.237.453.054.043.2390.9320.3722.0093.00NL1972
1973MLBTotal--ATL------428231040120012617004179155.122.143.207.350.098.085.1641.1028.5726.0082.00NL1973
1974MLBTotal--ATL------4110452020011003181910122118218.192.220.212.432.048.019.2302.5415.256.00NL1974
1975MLBTotal--ATL------399951721010001180420121106314.172.176.212.389.051.040.2050.9416.9818.00NL1975
1976MLBTotal--ATL------38945183011201081910324105414.191.198.255.453.053.064.1980.007.6294.00NL1976
1977MLBTotal--ATL------4410921910070001511210320123118.174.180.183.364.009.009.2000.0012.20NL1977
1978MLBTotal--ATL------4512052740010003251410331129423.225.248.258.506.058.033.2812.3319.388.33NL1978
1979MLBTotal--ATL------44123102460012001192710130134618.195.213.244.457.057.049.2290.7514.1819.00NL1979
1980MLBTotal--ATL------409021250050011905002179657.133.143.189.332.067.056.1691.0419.7919.00NL1980
1981MLBTotal--ATL------2252140001000110300045504.077.077.077.154.000.000.0980.0020.00NL1981
1982MLBTotal--ATL------3587617401700016031042491512.195.193.276.469.080.080.2250.0017.5887.00NL1982
1983MLBTotal--ATL------3465312200500112061071473210.185.194.215.409.046.031.2221.3716.4412.00NL1983
1987MLBTotal--ATL------110000000000000000100.000.000.000.000.000.000.0000.000.00NL1987
Tot:MLB (20 yrs)MLB732153780260421710901173141212912035325170750210.169.183.211.395.053.042.2061.0018.3918.47219.57
Tot:NL (20 yrs)NL732153780260421710901173141212912035325170750210.169.183.211.395.053.042.2061.0018.3918.47219.57

Other Pitching Statistics

csv
Glossary
yearteam nameleaguecategoryagewleraggscgshogfgrsviphrerhrbbsowpbkhbwhiph9hr9bb9so9ra9so_bb
1969National LeagueMajor League BaseballAllStar30000.0010001111.00000020000.000.000.000.0018.000.000.00
1969Atlanta BravesChampionship SeriesPlayoffs30014.5010000108.09040440001.6310.130.004.504.500.001.00
1978National LeagueMajor League BaseballAllStar39000.0010001100.10000000000.000.000.000.000.000.000.00
1982Atlanta BravesChampionship SeriesPlayoffs43003.0010000106.06020450001.679.000.006.007.500.001.25
Tot:AllStar (2 Yrs)AllStar000.0000002211.10000020000.000.000.000.0013.500.00
Tot:Playoffs (2 Yrs)Playoffs013.86000002014.015060890001.649.640.005.145.790.001.13
Player pitching statistics considered to be non-regular season leagues and events.

Other Batting Statistics

csv
Glossary
yearteam nameleaguecategoryagegabrh2b3bhrrbisbcsbbsohbpshsfiwdptbpaxbh1bavgobpslgopssecaisobabipbb%so%so_bbab_hr
1969National LeagueMajor League BaseballAllStar30100000000000000000000.000.000.000.000.000.000.0000.000.000.000.00
1969Atlanta BravesChampionship SeriesPlayoffs30130000000001000000300.000.000.000.000.000.000.0000.0033.330.000.00
1978National LeagueMajor League BaseballAllStar39100000000000000000000.000.000.000.000.000.000.0000.000.000.000.00
1982Atlanta BravesChampionship SeriesPlayoffs43100000010000000000000.000.000.000.000.000.000.0000.000.000.000.00
Tot:AllStar (2 Yrs)AllStar200000000000000000000
Tot:Playoffs (2 Yrs)Playoffs230000010001000000300.000.000.000.000.000.000.0000.0033.33
Player batting statistics considered to be non-regular season leagues and events.

Fielding Statistics

csv
Glossary
yearteamleaguelevelageposggsinnpoaedptctscsbcssb%fpctrfgrfirf9itm sharepl sharetm rank
1964Milwaukee BravesNLMLB25P10-15.0020122001.0000.20.131.176.2100.013
1965Milwaukee BravesNLMLB26P41-74.261712242300.9580.60.312.7925.397.63
1966Atlanta BravesNLMLB27P28-50.1218012020001.0000.70.403.6017.3100.06
Show all fielding records and totals
Fielding Statistics are updated at the conclusion of season

Yearly Summary

csv
Glossary
yearteamleaguelevelmlb-classagewlrankrpigpmanagersalaryservice timeplayoffsawards
1964Milwaukee BravesNLMLBMLN2588745-10Bobby Bragandnq
1965Milwaukee BravesNLMLBMLN2686765-42Bobby Bragandnq
1966Atlanta BravesNLMLBATL2785775-28Bobby Bragan, Billy Hitchcockdnq
1967Atlanta BravesNLMLBATL2877857-46Billy Hitchcock, Ken Silvestridnq
1968Atlanta BravesNLMLBATL2981815-37Lum Harrisdnq
1969Atlanta BravesNLMLBATL3093691-40Lum HarrisLost NLCS (Mets)
1970Atlanta BravesNLMLBATL3176865-34Lum Harrisdnq
1971Atlanta BravesNLMLBATL3282803-42Lum Harrisdnq
1972Atlanta BravesNLMLBATL3370844-38Lum Harris, Eddie Mathewsdnq
1973Atlanta BravesNLMLBATL3476855-42Eddie Mathewsdnq
1974Atlanta BravesNLMLBATL3588743-41Eddie Mathews, Clyde Kingdnq
1975Atlanta BravesNLMLBATL3667945-39Clyde King, Connie Ryandnq
1976Atlanta BravesNLMLBATL3770926-38Dave Bristoldnq
1977Atlanta BravesNLMLBATL38611016-44Dave Bristol, Ted Turner, Vern Bensondnq
1978Atlanta BravesNLMLBATL3969936-45Bobby CoxdnqNL-GG
1979Atlanta BravesNLMLBATL4066946-44Bobby CoxdnqNL-GG
1980Atlanta BravesNLMLBATL4181804-40Bobby CoxdnqNL-GG
1981Atlanta BravesNLMLBATL4250560-22Bobby Coxdnq
1982Atlanta BravesNLMLBATL4389731-35Joe TorreLost NLCS (Cardinals)NL-GG,NL-POTW
1983Atlanta BravesNLMLBATL4488742-34Joe TorrednqNL-GG
1984New York YankeesALMLBNYA4587753-32Yogi Berradnq
1985New York YankeesALMLBNYA4697642-33Billy Martin, Yogi Berra600,000dnq
1986Cleveland IndiansALMLBCLE4784785-34Pat Corrales300,000dnq
1987Atlanta BravesNLMLBATL4869925-1Chuck Tanner60,000dnq
1987Cleveland IndiansALMLBCLE48611017-22Pat Corrales, Doc Edwards60,000dnq
1987Toronto Blue JaysALMLBTOR4896662-3Jimy Williams60,000dnq
26 record(s)
Based on playing years with listed statistics and available season data.

Baseball Jobs

csv
Glossary
yearteam nameleaguelevelcategorymlb orgjobwlwpctrankgblPlayoffs
1991RichmondILAAAMinorATLManager6579.451420.0dnq
1 record(s)

Transactions

csv
Glossary
datetransaction descriptionteamminor team40-manstatus
1987-09-23Signed to Minor League contractAtlanta BravesNoHist
1987-08-31Released by Blue JaysNoHist
1987-08-09Traded from Cleveland Indians to Toronto Blue Jays for Darryl Landrum and Don Gordon (8/10/1987)Toronto Blue JaysNoHist
1986-04-03Signed to #-year contract for 1986-1986 ($0m) [Free Agent]Cleveland IndiansNoHist
1986-03-28Released by YankeesNoHist
1986-01-08Signed to #-year contract for 1986-1986 ($0m) [Free Agent]New York YankeesNoHist
1985-11-12Granted free agencyNoHist
1984-01-05Signed to #-year contract for 1984-1984 ($0m) [Free Agent]New York YankeesNoHist
1983-10-07Released by BravesNoHist
1982-04-21Activated from Disabled ListAtlanta BravesNoHist
Show all transactions

Salaries and Contracts

csv
Glossary
yearteamagesalarytm ranklg rankavg salarylg minimumservice timecontract
1985New York Yankees46600,00010161371,57160,000
1986Cleveland Indians47300,00010345412,52060,000
1987Cleveland Indians4860,00022513412,45462,500
3 season(s)$960,000Career Earnings
Talent Ratings
Strikeouts
54
Walks
57
Hittable
58
SO/BB
60
vsPower
58
Hitting
37
Durability
92
Team
.492

[Career Highlights]

[1958]  Drafted by the Milwaukee Braves in Round #0 (#0) out of Bridgeport (Bridgeport,OH) ... Signing Scout: Bill Maughn
[1964]  Played for Milwaukee Braves (MLB)
[1965]  Played for Milwaukee Braves (MLB) ... Played for Milwaukee Braves (MLB)
[1966]  Played for Atlanta Braves (MLB) ... Played for Atlanta Braves (MLB)
[1967]  Played for Atlanta Braves (MLB) ... Played for Atlanta Braves (MLB) ... Led NL in Earned Run Average ... Finished top 10 in NL in W+H Per Inning Pitched, Saves, Hits per 9 Innings, Home Runs per 9 Innings
[1968]  Played for Atlanta Braves (MLB) ... Played for Atlanta Braves (MLB) ... Led NL in Sacrifice Hits ... Finished top 10 in NL in W+H Per Inning Pitched, Games Started, Complete Games, Shutouts, Innings PItched, Hits Allowed, Walks per 9 Innings
[1969]  Played for Atlanta Braves (MLB) ... Played for Atlanta Braves (MLB) ... Played in Major League Baseball All-Star Game for the National League ... Played in Championship Series for Atlanta Braves ... Finished 2nd in NL-CY voting with 1 point ... Finished 9th in NL-MVP voting with 47 points ... Finished top 10 in NL in Earned Run Average, W+H Per Inning Pitched, Wins, Complete Games, Shutouts, Innings PItched, Walks per 9 Innings
Show full Career Summary [1958-1999]
Page Last Updated: 3/17/2025 4:04:41 PM