Happy Birthday to Hall of Famer Phil Niekro, born on April 1, 1939. The legendary 'Knucksie' played most of his career with the Milwaukee/Atlanta Braves.
Over his career, he compiled 318 wins, five all-star game appearances, five gold glove awards and he pitched a no hitter in 1973. No surprise that he was selected for the Hall of Fame in 1997.
He is regarded as having one of, if not the best, knuckleball in baseball history. At times, it was unhittable.
In honor of Phil Niekro's Hall of Fame career and his great knuckleball, he is the recipient of today's Baseball Birthday Quote of the Day,
"Trying to hit him is like trying to eat jello with Chopstixs."
--Bobby Murcer, talking about Niekro's curveball
Bonus Quote:
"I'm proud of my sons and happy they don't have to work for a living."
--Phil Niekro Sr., talking about his major league playing sons Phil Jr. and Joe
Happy Birthday to the Braves, Dansby Swanson who turns 23 today.
Swanson is one of the most exciting young players in the game. He was the first pick of the 2015 MLB Draft, selected by the Arizona Diamondbacks.
In what could go down as one of the worst trades in recent baseball history, Swanson along with Ender Inciarte were traded to the Braves for Shelby Miller.
Swanson was 2 for 4 in his major league debut on August 17, 2016 and he hasn't looked back. He ended his rookie year hitting .302 with 17 ribbies. He also showed great range at shortstop. He could well be a star for many years to come.
As one of the best young prospects in baseball, he is today's recipient of the Baseball Birthday Quote of the Day.
"I think he can handle pretty much everything we throw at him. That kid's a baseball player."
--Brian Snitker, talking about Dansby Swanson
Ralph Garr was born today, December 12th in 1945. He played for the Braves from 1968-75 before being traded to the White Sox.
Garr, nicknamed The Road Runner, was a hell of a hitter. He also had great speed. He was a lifetime .306 hitter and led the National League in batting in 1974 with a .353 average.
He loved to swing at anything and had very little patience at the plate.
Garr said of himself,
"I was a ball hitter. If I saw the ball I hit it. If I didn't see it, I didn't hit it."
Happy 71st Birthday, Ralph Garr
