ATLANTA - Braves legend and Hall of Fame pitcher Phil Niekro passed away Saturday night in his sleep after a long battle with cancer.
He was 81 years old."Knucksie" was a clubhouse fixture in Milwaukee then Atlanta, even after his playing days. His No. 35 was retired in 1984, and he was inducted into the team's Hall of Fame in 1999.
The five-time All-Star and five-time Gold Glove winner was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1997.The Braves also honor Niekro’s legacy by annually presenting the "Phil Niekro Award," awarded to the top minor-league pitcher in the Braves organization.Niekro played for 24 years in the majors, 21 of which spent across two stints with the Braves.