Word: knuckler
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Dates: during 1970-1979
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...Brothers Niekro are masters of the knuckler...
Phil has been throwing the knuckler ever since he came up with the Braves in 1964, a rarity since the pitch is usually mastered in desperation by aging veterans. Joe started as a fireballer who played with the Chicago Cubs in 1967, then bounced around from club to club as his fastball faded. In 1972, when he was sent to the minors, those backyard sessions finally asserted their hold: Joe perfected the knuckleball. In 1975 he joined the Astros, who now have a flutter at the pennant...
Atlanta's Phil Niekro, who helped his brother master the knuckler, now watches his success with wistful pleasure: "It's great that we're both having good years, but I'd like to play on a contending club, feel what it's like to go into a clubhouse every day and know you're going to be in the thick of a pennant race." The experience, Joe says, is so good it's almost like the old days in the backyard. "Pitching for me now," says Joe Niekro, "is just like going...
...West, those streaking Dodgers ran into Phil Niekro's knuckler as the Atlanta Braves eked out a 3-2 win. Shortstop Bill Russel's costly error allowed the Braves to score the decisive unearned game-winner in the fourth inning...
...Bobby couldn't throw much of a fastball, or a slider, or a knuckler, or a sinker -- but a change-up... Foster stood out there, and poised, waiting to pop like a firecracker. If Bobby could surprise him with a blooping, off-speed, curving ephus ball, he might just catch Foster off-balance. Anyway, the result could be no worse if Bobby pumped a mediocre fast ball right down the pipe...