1. Welcome to SportsJournalists.com, a friendly forum for discussing all things sports and journalism.

    Your voice is missing! You will need to register for a free account to get access to the following site features:
    • Reply to discussions and create your own threads.
    • Access to private conversations with other members.
    • Fewer ads.

    We hope to see you as a part of our community soon!

RIP Phil Niekro

Discussion in 'Sports and News' started by Michael_ Gee, Dec 27, 2020.

Page 3 of 3
  1. cyclingwriter2

    cyclingwriter2 Well-Known Member

    Had no idea on that.
     
    cyclingwriter2, Dec 27, 2020
    #25
  2. Elliotte Friedman

    Elliotte Friedman Moderator Staff Member

    Totally forgot: Niekro was the first Blue Jay to make the Hall of Fame.

    He pitched for them in 1987. I went to his first start -- they lost 10-3 (although the bullpen gave up most of that). I'm trying to think if I ever went to a game that wasn't a crushing Toronto defeat.
     
    Elliotte Friedman, Dec 27, 2020
    #26
  3. 3_Octave_Fart

    3_Octave_Fart Well-Known Member

    I've written several stories about the knuckleball and they all say the same thing - the key is the length of the fingernails so you can really dig into the seams.

    What a fantastic ride for Phil Niekro.
     
    3_Octave_Fart, Dec 27, 2020
    #27
  4. Scout

    Scout Well-Known Member

    Started his career pitching for Milwaukee... Braves.

    In his first season in the majors, Casey Stengel filled out a lineup to hit against him.

    RIP
     
    Scout, Dec 27, 2020
    #28
  5. Sea Bass

    Sea Bass Well-Known Member

    I haven’t looked it up but I think Niekro lost every start he made for the Jays after they picked him up at the deadline. Maybe it wasn’t every single one but I’m almost positive he went winless at least.

    EDIT: He made three starts for the Jays. He lost the first two. In the third he failed he make it out of the first inning, giving up five in 0.2 innings. But the Jays clawed back to get him off the hook before ultimately losing the game. Looks like they dumped him after that and he made one final appearance for Atlanta in September, the last one of his career.
     
    Last edited: Dec 27, 2020
    Sea Bass, Dec 27, 2020
    #29
  6. Elliotte Friedman

    Elliotte Friedman Moderator Staff Member

    They dropped him because they traded for Mike Flanagan and needed a roster spot
     
    Elliotte Friedman, Dec 27, 2020
    #30
  7. Sea Bass

    Sea Bass Well-Known Member

    Had forgotten that. That turned out to be the right move looking back, even though they missed out on the playoffs anyway.

    Now I’m starting to twitch, remembering the ball through Manny Lee’s wickets in Flanagan’s last start that year.
     
    Sea Bass, Dec 27, 2020
    #31
  8. cyclingwriter2

    cyclingwriter2 Well-Known Member

    Assuming that is this year? Ford, Seaver, Gibson, Kaline, Brock, Morgan and Niekro?
     
    cyclingwriter2, Dec 28, 2020
    #32
  9. Della9250

    Della9250 Well-Known Member

    Yes
     
    Della9250, Dec 28, 2020
    #33
  10. Songbird

    Songbird Well-Known Member

     
    Songbird, Dec 29, 2020
    #34
    I Should Coco likes this.
Page 3 of 3
Draft saved Draft deleted

Share This Page