![September 27, 1987: Phil Niekro returns to Braves for final start](https://imagez.tmz.com/image/a4/o/2020/12/27/a4459c5688f245e5b7d0297206c13bcc_md.jpg)
Famed Knuckleball Pitcher Phil Niekro Dead at 81
![September 27, 1987: Phil Niekro returns to Braves for final start](https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wJTQVZ-NOzk/WWwn3NTT7II/AAAAAAAAFFI/URNuNXkEB8gmFbGpGeXJ7TqH9OKZ2SbVQCLcBGAs/w640-h546/April9_1987.jpg)
Neon Rocketship: The Greatest Knuckleball Pitcher Of All Time
![September 27, 1987: Phil Niekro returns to Braves for final start](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2020/12/Phil-Niekro-dead-at-81.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=1024)
Phil Niekro, Hall of Fame knuckleballer, dies of cancer at 81
![September 27, 1987: Phil Niekro returns to Braves for final start](https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/DkbLfJ7ulF3piF8y-kinAtn-cug=/0x0:1644x2048/1400x933/filters:focal(808x559:1070x821):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/68585183/51652128.0.jpg)
Phil Niekro, Hall of Fame pitcher, died today at the age of 81
![September 27, 1987: Phil Niekro returns to Braves for final start](https://static01.nyt.com/images/2020/12/27/multimedia/00niekro1/00niekro1-threeByTwoSmallAt2X.jpg)
With Phil Niekro's Death, Baseball Has Lost the Knuckleball and
![September 27, 1987: Phil Niekro returns to Braves for final start](https://decaturish.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/phil-640x394.jpg)
James Brown and Phil Niekro: Not Knuckling Under – Decaturish
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An Atlanta Braves Hall of Famer passes away
![September 27, 1987: Phil Niekro returns to Braves for final start](https://kids.kiddle.co/images/thumb/8/89/Phil_Niekro_1974.jpg/300px-Phil_Niekro_1974.jpg)
Phil Niekro Facts for Kids
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Braves pitching legend Phil Niekro turns 81 years old Wednesday
![September 27, 1987: Phil Niekro returns to Braves for final start](https://lastwordonsports.com/baseball/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2020/12/Phil-Niekro.jpg)
Atlanta Braves Legend Phil Niekro Dead at 81 - Last Word On Baseball
![September 27, 1987: Phil Niekro returns to Braves for final start](https://images.pristineauction.com/55/559700/main_1478287372-Phil-Niekro-Signed-Braves-18x24-Poster-Inscribed-HOF-97-JPRS-Hologram-PristineAuction.com.jpg)
Phil Niekro Signed Braves 18x24 Print Inscribed H.O.F-97 (JPS
![September 27, 1987: Phil Niekro returns to Braves for final start](https://www.sportingnews.com/us/mlb/features/phil-niekro-last-game-braves-1987-video/media/1984-w-yanks123782-lr_gsdpj8a.jpg)
Back Where He Belonged
![September 27, 1987: Phil Niekro returns to Braves for final start](https://www.ajc.com/resizer/2ldJ_R1e6ImwQp6A279ZZtukVSw=/fit-in/850x480/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/ajc/FEVCUYCOYJFR3CZ2R4JYMBKJF4)
Phil Niekro, Atlanta Braves legend known for knuckleball pitch