2019: Former Atlanta Braves pitcher Phil Niekro speaks with Mike Soroka. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
It’s the end of an era as the old Atlanta Braves knuckleballer has passed.
Today was supposed to be the start of a short series on the no-hitters thrown in the history of the Atlanta Braves. While that will be delayed, it is somewhat ironic that the first one of those stories was to be about Phil Niekro, who tossed such a gem against the Padres in August of 1973.
But it’s sad news that we have instead: it was announced today that Niekro passed away on the day after Christmas at the age of 81.