The second and third greatest knuckleball pitchers of all time?

[D. Bergin]

Originally Posted by Balticfox

Niekro was great in 1978 and 1979. The Braves didn't have much more going for them than Joe Niekro in those two years.

Not sure if you mentioned Joe on purpose or by mistake, but it's funny that Phil's younger brother has been over-looked completely in this thread.

Not the workhorse Phil or Wilbur Wood was, probably because he didn't use the knuckleball exclusively, and played on teams with other good pitchers, but he did use it quite a bit.

Joe had a really nice run with the Astros from '77 to '84, and I say this knowing it's a bit disingenuous to compare pitchers of then from today, but Joe has more career Complete Game Shutouts then present day workhorse Justin Verlander has Complete Games.

[Balticfox]

Originally Posted by D. Bergin

Not sure if you mentioned Joe on purpose or by mistake....

By mistake which I've now corrected. But good things have arisen from that mistake because Joe Niekro totally deserves mention and accolades in this thread as well!

Originally Posted by D. Bergin

...Joe has more career Complete Game Shutouts then present day workhorse Justin Verlander has Complete Games.

Wow, cool!

[jp1216]

Love the reactions: