Posted on 10/27/2006 5:57:48 PM PDT by lunarbicep
Former major-league pitcher and Plant City resident Joe Niekro died Friday, according to the Tampa Tribune.
He was 61.
Niekro suffered an aneurysm and was taken to South Florida Baptist Hospital, the Tribune reported. He was transported on Thursday to a Tampa-area hospital.
Niekro, brother of Hall of Fame pitcher Phil Niekro, pitched 22 seasons in the majors before retiring in 1988 with a lifetime record of 221-204.
Joe Niekro was an All-Star in 1979 when he won 21 games for the Astros. He followed that season up with 20 victories in 1980, a playoff year for the Astros.
Niekro pitched for six other teams: Chicago Cubs, San Diego, Detroit, Atlanta, New York Yankees and Minnesota.
Neikro is the father of current San Francisco Giants player Lance Niekro.
Joe Niekro
We'll never forget the night Joe got caught with his pockets full of sandpaper and emory boards by the home plate umpire!!
RIP, Joe....
Sorry to hear this. Makes you feel old when the players you watched as a kid die.
I just heard about this on ESPN now. I still had it on after the baseball game. RIP
Rest in Peace.
Rest In Peace.
When players you remember seeing as a kid start dying you feel very mortal. At least he got to see his brother get inducted into the Hall Of Fame.
I remember it well.
RIP
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.