Joe Niekro, Going Strong at 40, Is One Win Shy of 200

HOUSTON —  Joe Niekro stares Father Time squarely in the eye, throws a knuckleball and walks away laughing. Joseph Franklin Niekro, four months shy of turning 41, is still one step ahead.

In 16-plus years in the major leagues, the Houston Astros’ pitcher has seen the game of baseball undergo numerous changes. But Niekro has survived and--despite speculation of where he may be next season--isn’t ready to quit.

“Just because you turn 40 doesn’t mean you have to quit,” he said. “I love the game of baseball. I’ll play as long as I can get people out. The hitters will let me know when it’s time to get out.

“A lot of guys never get to put on a major league uniform. How many kids’ ambition is it to play major league baseball? I’m fortunate to have been in it for a long time.”

And the end is not in sight.

Already the Astros’ career leader in victories with 141, Niekro is one game shy of winning his 200th game. He and his older brother, Phil, 46, are attempting to beat the major league record for career victories by a brother combination. The record is 529 by Gaylord and Jim Perry. The Niekros had 489--291 by Phil and 199 by Joe.

“It will be a special thing for us,” Niekro said. “The Perrys were great pitchers. When you think of brothers, you think of the Deans and the Perrys. The Niekro name sneaked up on people.”

Niekro doesn’t have any secret formulas for longevity, but he admits his specialty on the mound--the knuckleball--has been a factor.

“Being a knuckleball pitcher has no doubt helped our durability,” he said.

Niekro credited the specialized pitch with stretching his career by 10 years.

“It’s a pitch I had to develop because I wasn’t going anywhere with the stuff I had,” he said.

Just over 10 year ago, Niekro wasn’t sure if he’d stay in the game. The two Niekros both played for Atlanta in 1973 and 1974, but while Phil was in his prime, Joe was struggling.

“I don’t know what I would’ve done,” said Niekro of another career. “I guess I would’ve worked in the coal mines or steel mills back home.”

Instead, the Braves sold him to Houston in 1975 for the waiver price and Niekro not only went on to become the club’s all-time winning pitcher, but also baseball’s leading right-hander from 1980 through 1984.

“Everybody else gave up on me,” Niekro said. “The Astros gave me a chance to pitch.”

However, Niekro’s contract is up at the end of the season and there are rumors he will not be in Houston next season, but in Atlanta. There also are reports brother Phil, currently in his final year of a contract with the New York Yankees, will be the Braves’ player-manager next season.

But Joe would like to remain in Houston.

“I’d like to finish my career here,” he said. “I’d love pitching with Phil. But I love Houston, too. I’ve been here so long and this has been my home.”

The Astros have told Niekro they’ll talk contract after the season is over.

“I’d like a three-year contract,” he said. “I know I can pitch that long. I’m not saying that’s the last contract I want to sign. I’ve proven I’m durable.”

Still, as Niekro admits, a lot of things could happen. He remains very close to his family--he still plans to give the ball that is used to break the Perrys’ record to his father. He recalls as youngsters playing baseball with his brother and sister while his father coached and his mother “was the trainer.”

His parents have said they would enjoy seeing their sons play together. And with cable television in Atlanta, Ivy and Phil Niekro Sr. could easily watch their sons from their home in Lansing, Ohio.

“Their ideal situation would be for us to play on the same team in the same town,” Joe said.

Niekro, though, is not worried about next season. Even though he is below .500 this season, Astros Manager Bob Lillis said he wouldn’t hesitate to take another pitcher like Niekro.

“It seems the older he gets, the more he knows what he has to do,” Lillis said. “He knows how to adjust to the situations and he’s consistent. Pitchers like that are far and few between.”

Niekro (6-7) also is pleased with his performance this season.

“I think I’m throwing the ball real well,” he said. “To me, I need to get to start every fifth day and stay healthy. If I get three or four at-bats each game, I’m pitching well.”