Phil Niekro quotes

I never knew how to throw a fastball, never learned how to throw a curveball, a slider, split-finger, whatever they're throwing nowadays. I was a one-pitch pitcher. (Phil Niekro)
My dad played for a coal-mining team in eastern Ohio; he was a very good pitcher. If he hadn't hurt his arm, he probably would have got a shot somewhere. He hurt his arm one spring, didn't warm up good enough, couldn't throw a fastball anymore. Another coal miner taught him how to throw the knuckleball. View quote
Phil Niekro
There aren't many hitters who like facing knuckleball pitchers. They may not be intimidated by them, but they sure are thinking about them before they go into the box. View quote
Phil Niekro
I would think every organization has pitchers who have good talent but just don't have what it takes to make it with what they've got. View quote
Phil Niekro
I remember going to see my dad pitch against other coal-mining teams, and he was successful with the knuckleball. I saw how bad guys would look like swinging, and how guys talked about how he could throw every day and didn't hurt his arm. That's how I grew up learning. View quote
Phil Niekro

Phil Niekro

Phil Niekro - Image
Photo: Chris Evans from same, United States, CC BY 2.0
Occupation: American Athlete
Born: April 1, 1939
Died: December 26, 2020
Quotes count: 5