What can I say about a Hall of Famer with a 24 year career? He started out in Milwaukee two years before they moved to Atlanta. Phil's knuckle ball was the thing that made him famous, and his knickname was "Knucksie." He is brother to Joe Niekro, and uncle to short lived Giants first sacker Lance Niekro, who isn't known for throwing knuckle balls while having it around the infield. Phil never made it to a World Series, and only played in two NLCS, losing both of them with the Braves.
His uni is a bit odd, I think, as he's wearing a pullover top with a belted pant. I've never liked these Braves threads in my life, not even in 1974. Phil tossed a no-hitter in 1973, the year this photo was taken, and probably after the photo was taken, as he threw it in August. Phil had one of those classic multiple team careers where he finished with the team he played for the longest or first. Although he only pitched three innings for the Bravos at the end of his career.
Cartoon: I think it probably turned out for the best that neither played football. I guess one could infer that they didn't play either baseball or basketball with each other. Havlicek's got a nice haircut.
Ballpark background: This was taken at Shea Stadium. That light tower just keeps appearing in all kinds of cards. And that flag is a bit of a fixture, too. Notice the Mets player in the background. This position on the field must have been the photographer's favorite of all time. So many players regardless of team have appeared here and from this angle. Or so it seems.
I remember when Niekro rejoined the Braves. I believe it was openly stated it was for a one shot only pitching appearance to retire with the team. This is much better than those silly one day meaningless contracts so a player can "retire" with a certain team.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the info. You're exactly right. I think the Giants had JT Snow do one of those. He suited up with the team, took the field, warmed up, and was replaced by the first pitch. Those are fake, indeed.
ReplyDelete