Phil Niekro was an influential baseball player who had a career that spanned multiple decades. He is best known for his knuckleball technique, which he used to become one of the most successful pitchers of all time. His career began in 1964 with the Milwaukee Braves, and he spent 21 seasons in the major leagues. During his time in the majors, he compiled a 318-274 record with a 3.35 ERA and 3,342 strikeouts. He was a five-time All-Star, a two-time Gold Glove Award winner, and a five-time 20-game winner. He ranks eighth all-time in wins and ninth all-time in strikeouts.

Niekro was an extremely durable pitcher, with a total of 5,404 innings pitched, which ranks fifth all-time. He was known for his longevity and consistency, as he threw at least 200 innings in a season 19 times throughout his career. He was also a master of the knuckleball, which was his go-to pitch throughout his career. He was able to use it effectively and consistently, and it helped him become a successful pitcher.

Niekro retired in 1987 and was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1997. He was also honored with the Commissioner's Historic Achievement Award in 2008. He was a beloved figure in the game of baseball, and his knuckleball technique will be remembered for years to come.

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