Can't add much to the review by 'operator 409,' 300 plus wins, several 20 win seasons, the best knuckleball pitcher ever in terms of career value, and probably peak too. Effective at an advanced age, at an age where almost all hurlers have been retired for quite some time. Deserving.

The 300 win club is a small fraternity, (the 3000 strikeout club, even smaller). Phil Niekro accomplished both as a virtual 100% knuckleball pitcher, (a practically OBSOLETE fraternity). Bob Uecker caught Niekro during his stint with Atlanta. When asked if it was difficult to catch a knuckleball, Uecker replied, "no it's easy...I just pick it up when it stops rolling". Phil lost a lot of games, but his winning percentage was still significantly better than the Atlanta teams he aced for. I admit bias, having grown up suffering as a Braves fan. But you need not imagine what kind of stats Niekro would have compiled on a winning franchise, because his accomplishments AS THEY ARE are more than enough to merit his induction in to the Hall.