Phil Niekro

Phil Niekro was another legendary personality who bid us farewell in 2020. Also known as Knucksies, he was a former professional baseball pitcher. His trademark pitch, the knuckleballer, led him 318 wins and landed him among MLB’s all-time wins list. He is the older brother of Joe Niekro, a baseball player, and Lance Niekro, a former baseball player and now coach of the Florida Southern Moccasins.

He has achieved many credits during his 24 seasons of play in major league baseball. Apart from gaining popularity due to his knuckleball pitch, Niekro has recorded several recognitions in baseball history. As such, he was named the oldest player in the history of the major league as he still actively played at the age of 48. His record was later surpassed by another player in 2007. Upon Niekro’s retirement in 1987, at the age of 48, he then managed the Colorado Silver Bullets. Due to his incredible record, he was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1997. On December 26, 2020, Niekro passed in his sleep at the age of 81.