Today's Birthday: Phil Niekro, Wellsville Braves (1959)

Baseball HOF & Trading Card Database

Former New York-Penn League prospect Phil Niekro was born on this date in 1939. He pitched for the Wellsville Braves in 1959. 

Niekro played in the majors for 24 years with the Milwaukee Braves (1964-65), Atlanta Braves (1966-83, '87), New York Yankees (1984-85), Cleveland Indians (1986-87), and Toronto Blue Jays (1987). 

After he retired as a player, he managed the Richmond Braves for one season (1991).

He was a 5 time All-Star and was awarded 5 Gold Gloves. Niekro was inducted in the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1997.

He died on December 27, 2020, at the age of 81.

Source: Baseball Reference 

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