Hall of Famer Phil Niekro to Appear at the DBAP

Hall of Fame pitcher Phil Niekro will appear at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park on Friday, July 15th and Saturday, July 16, 2005 to promote Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) Awareness and sign autographs. DVT is a blood clot that can form in your legs and sometimes move to your lungs, where it may be fatal. In fact, complications from DVT blood clots contribute to more deaths each year than AIDS and breast cancer combined (Source: www.dvt.net).

A five-time Major League Baseball All-Star, Niekro was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1997 after a 24-year career in the big leagues. Niekro, whose 318 career victories ranks 15th all-time in major league history, was a five-time Gold Glove winner (1978, 1979, 1980, 1982, 1983) who played on five ballclubs during his illustrious career. He pitched for the Milwaukee Braves (1964-1965), Atlanta Braves (1966-1983, 1987), New York Yankees (1984-1985), Cleveland Indians (1986-1987) and Toronto Blue Jays (1987) during his 24 major league seasons.

Known mostly throughout his career for his knuckleball, Niekro recorded 3,342 career strikeouts, 10th all-time among major league career leaders. Niekro, who recorded a career 3.35 ERA, threw his only career no-hitter on August 5, 1973 versus San Diego. At the time of his retirement, he was tied with Hall of Fame pitcher Cy Young for most seasons with 200 or more innings pitched (19).

Born on April 1, 1939, in Blaine, Ohio, Niekro made his major league debut on April 15, 1964 with the Milwaukee Brewers. He led the National League in wins twice during his career, notching 20 wins in 1974 and 21 victories in 1979. The Atlanta Braves honored the right-handed pitcher by retiring his #35 jersey in 1984.

Tickets for the Bulls July 15th and 16th games against the Rochester Red Wings are available at the Durham Bulls Box Office, by phone at (919) 956-BULL or online at durhambulls.com.

Thanks to DBBC’s Matt DeMargel for this capcom story.