![76 years ago, Phil Niekro, and his fantastic knuckleball, arrived on this Earth](https://static01.nyt.com/images/2020/12/27/multimedia/00niekro2/00niekro2-articleLarge.jpg?quality=75&auto=webp&disable=upscale)
Phil Niekro, Hall of Fame Knuckleball Pitcher, Dies at 81 - The New York Times
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Baseball Hall of Famer, knuckleballer Phil Niekro dies at 81
![76 years ago, Phil Niekro, and his fantastic knuckleball, arrived on this Earth](https://sabr.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/1976-Niekro-Joe.jpg)
May 29, 1976: Joe Niekro victimizes brother Phil with his only career home run – Society for American Baseball Research
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Phil Niekro's top moments
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Pitchers who won 20 games for last-place teams
![76 years ago, Phil Niekro, and his fantastic knuckleball, arrived on this Earth](https://i0.wp.com/www.cooperstowncred.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/RIVERA-AND-HOFFMAN.png?fit=777%2C481&ssl=1)
The History of Relief Pitching Part Four: 1988-Present - Cooperstown Cred
![76 years ago, Phil Niekro, and his fantastic knuckleball, arrived on this Earth](https://baseballhall.org/sites/default/files/styles/fullscreen_image_popup/public/islandora_images/Niekro%20Phil%202710.2000_Act_NBL_RP.jpg.jpeg?itok=PRgL1mDb)
Niekro remembered for mastery of the knuckleball
![76 years ago, Phil Niekro, and his fantastic knuckleball, arrived on this Earth](https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-images/image/private/t_16x9/t_w1024/mlb/ji1vqpsmju1qjgtqx2cz)
Pitchers who won 20 games for last-place teams
![76 years ago, Phil Niekro, and his fantastic knuckleball, arrived on this Earth](https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-images/image/private/ar_16:9,g_auto,q_auto:good,w_1280,c_fill,f_jpg,dpr_2.0/mlb/imaixngfsp06j4x3cxr5)
JAWS and the 2023 Hall of Fame Ballot: R.A. Dickey
![76 years ago, Phil Niekro, and his fantastic knuckleball, arrived on this Earth](https://www.sportingnews.com/us/mlb/features/phil-niekro-last-game-braves-1987-video/media/feature-image-mr.jpg)
Back Where He Belonged
![76 years ago, Phil Niekro, and his fantastic knuckleball, arrived on this Earth](https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/AP_97073102507-e1609097744722.jpg)
Phil Niekro Dies: Hall Of Fame Knuckleball Pitcher Was 81 – Deadline
![76 years ago, Phil Niekro, and his fantastic knuckleball, arrived on this Earth](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3b/Phil_Niekro_1982.jpg/220px-Phil_Niekro_1982.jpg)
Phil Niekro - Wikipedia
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Phil Niekro had an INSANE knuckleball!
![76 years ago, Phil Niekro, and his fantastic knuckleball, arrived on this Earth](https://www.baseball-almanac.com/images/Phil_Niekro_No-Hitter.jpg)
Phil Niekro Baseball Stats by Baseball Almanac
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Why is the knuckleball such an important style of pitching in the game of baseball? - Quora