Thread: Aneurysm fells Joe Niekro, 61

[size=13pt]Aneurysm fells Joe Niekro, 61[/size]





UNION-TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICES
October 28, 2006

Former major league pitcher Joe Niekro, Houston's career victory leader, died yesterday, Astros President Tal Smith said. He was 61.

The two-time 20-game winner suffered a brain aneurysm Thursday and was taken to South Florida Baptist Hospital in Plant City, near where he lived. He later was transferred to St. Joseph's Hospital, where he died.

“It came as a real shock to us,� Smith said. “He was a great guy. He had a real spark and a great sense of humor.�

Smith said Niekro did not have an active role with the Astros but kept in contact with many of his former Houston teammates.

Niekro, father of San Francisco Giants first baseman Lance Niekro, and a member of the 1969 Padres after a midseason trade, won 221 games in his career but never became as well known as his Hall of Fame brother Phil Niekro.

Like his older brother, who won 318 games, Joe Niekro found success after developing the knuckleball and pitched into his 40s. They had a combined 359 major league victories, a record for brothers.

Thanks Joe of helping the Twins win the World Series in 1987, and I will always remember you getting busted for having the nail file in your back pocket and you trying to throw it away, it almost worked!

Rest in peace Joe and thanks again for the many memories!

"whackthepack" wrote:

Thanks Joe of helping the Twins win the World Series in 1987, and I will always remember you getting busted for having the nail file in your back pocket and you trying to throw it away, it almost worked!

Rest in peace Joe and thanks again for the many memories!

RIP Joe, you will be missed

RIP Joe, my your knuckle balls swirl for an eternity.

Now THIS is so VERY sad,.... This man was far too young to pass,.....My father passed the same way in 2000....Such a friggin' shock...
A great competitor.........

So so sad. RIP Joe

It's like the end of an era with Puck passing away and now Niekro. Presumably the Twins will do a 20th anniversary thing for the 87 side next year, it will break my heart not to see those two there

RIP, Joe. As a young fan of the Astros, I always made sure that I traded whatever cards I had for you and Jose Cruz. You two were my favorite Astros. You will be missed.

Both brothers, Joe adn Phil, were favorites of mine........