WKBT
December 28, 2020 8:45 AM Gabriel Burns, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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J. Meric/Getty Images North America/TNS
In this file photo, Hall of Fame pitcher Phil Niekro of the Atlanta Braves waves to the fans prior to the Grapefruit League Spring Training game against the St. Louis Cardinals on March 9, 2008 at Champions Stadium in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. (J. Meric/Getty Images/TNS)
ATLANTA Legendary Atlanta Braves knuckleballer Phil Niekro died Saturday evening in his sleep following a long battle with cancer. He was 81.
“We are heartbroken on the passing of our treasured friend, Phil Niekro,” the Braves said in a statement. “Knucksie was woven into the Braves fabric, first in Milwaukee and then in Atlanta. Phil baffled batters on the field and later was always the first to join in our community activities. It was during those community and fan activities where he would communicate with fans as if they were long lost friends.
Channel3000.com
December 28, 2020 8:45 AM Gabriel Burns, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Posted:
Updated:
J. Meric/Getty Images North America/TNS
In this file photo, Hall of Fame pitcher Phil Niekro of the Atlanta Braves waves to the fans prior to the Grapefruit League Spring Training game against the St. Louis Cardinals on March 9, 2008 at Champions Stadium in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. (J. Meric/Getty Images/TNS)
ATLANTA Legendary Atlanta Braves knuckleballer Phil Niekro died Saturday evening in his sleep following a long battle with cancer. He was 81.
“We are heartbroken on the passing of our treasured friend, Phil Niekro,” the Braves said in a statement. “Knucksie was woven into the Braves fabric, first in Milwaukee and then in Atlanta. Phil baffled batters on the field and later was always the first to join in our community activities. It was during those community and fan activities where he would communicate with fans as if they were long lost friend
ATLANTA Hall of Fame pitcher Phil Niekro has died at the age of 81.
Niekro passed away in his sleep on Saturday night. The suburban Atlanta resident had a longtime battle with cancer.
Niekro was inducted into Baseball’s Hall of Fame in 1997. The iconic knuckleballer collected 318 wins over a 24-year career that included stints with the Braves (1964-83 and 87), Yankees ( 84-85), Tribe ( 86-87) and Blue Jays ( 87). He was a five-time All-Star and five-time Gold Glove Award winner who finished within the top six in National League Cy Young Award balloting five times from 69-82.