Phil Niekro was a baseball player, a pitcher to be precise. To be even more precise he was a knuckleballer, perhaps the best ever.
The knuckleball is magic. It's magic wrapped in uncertainty and distaste for the batters skills. It changes directions to put it very simply.
Now, some of you may be saying "most pitches change directions", which is true. However, the knuckleball does it several times, or at least appears to. When thrown well, it flutters and dances across the plate.
Trying to hit him is like trying to eat Jello with chopsticks. - Bobby Murcer 17 year major leaguer.
Not many pitchers throw the knuckleball any more. Most people know Boston pitcher Tim Wakefield, Robert Dickey is currently trying to land a gig with Minnesota. John Smoltz throws one on rare occasions and my White Sox had a guy named Charlie Haeger but I don't know where he's playing these days.
It's a disappearing art because it's not as sexy as a fastball. Everybody loves seeing a heater up in the other guys kitchen.
It giggles as it goes by. - Rick Monday, 18 year MLB player.
Today, I watched my first baseball of the year. Spring training games from Arizona and Florida, where the grass is green, the sun is hot and professionals play baseball in February.
The Mighty Arizona Diamondbacks vs. the dirty Cleveland Indians. Every team is mighty this early in the year but the Indians are dirty because they occupy the American League Central with my Sox. (usually the Indians occupy the bottom part of the division.HA!)
Aside from wanting to see a division rival lose, I had no real interest in the game. Yet I found myself transfixed. I could not stop. Both teams are rolling out guys who played in Balls Falls, Nebraska last year and I'm watching so intently, that my boss almost catches me.
This is the stranglehold the game has on me. I like watching guys aproach home plate, leisurely swinging their bat or adjusting their.......hat. I love noticing the infielders shift directions depending on the batter.
The sounds of baseball are the greatest sounds of any sport. The ball off the bat, or into the glove, or a shortstop calling to the leftfielder for the ball.
The Atlanta Braves have added a few new players this winter but one is more interesting than most.
Let me ask you this. Who wants a 3rd then 1st baseman who kicked around in the San Fransisco Giants organization? Nobody? Maybe? Oh.....I should probably let you know......he want's to throw knuckleballs for us.
Lance Niekro, nephew of Hall of Famer Phil, son of All Star and World Series winner Joe, is looking for a comeback.
VIVE LA BASEBALL!!
