On the blog today, we spotlight the great Phil Niekro's card in my custom 1970 "In-Game Action" two-series set released a few months back:
Niekro
was coming off a fantastic 1969 season by the time this "card" would
have seen the light of day, posting a record of 23-13 over 40
appearances, with a 2.56 ERA, four shutouts and 193 strikeouts at the
age of 30, making his first All-Star game and finishing second in the Cy
Young race.
It is incredible to think Niekro didn’t have a full season on Big League
duty until 1967 at the age of 28, yet still went on to pitch 24
seasons, winning 318 games with a very nice 3.35 ERA along with 45
shutouts and 3342 strikeouts before he was done at the age of 48!
I always thought it amazing that at the age of 44 in 1983, he took home the last of his five Gold Gloves, ALL of which were garnered beginning his age 39 season in 1978.
Ageless!
I always thought it amazing that at the age of 44 in 1983, he took home the last of his five Gold Gloves, ALL of which were garnered beginning his age 39 season in 1978.
Ageless!
