Thirty Years ago Phil Niekro became the oldest pitcher to ever toss a shutout, he did with his 300th victory.
1986 Topps #204 RB Phil Niekro Oldest Pitcher to Hurl a Shutout
Topps 1986 Record Breakers noted the achievement with card #204. The Yankees gave Niekro a lot of run support in the 8-0 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays. Don Mattingly had a Home Run and scored 3 times and outfielder Henry Cotto tallied four RBIs including a 2-run homer.
Phil Niekro gave up 4 hits in the shutout striking out 5 and walking 3. Notables in the Blue Jays lineup included MLB Dads Cecil Fielder and Jeff Burroughs. Niekro Kd Burroughs swinging for the final out of the game. In an interview by Claire Smith of the Hartford Courant Niekro noted he only threw 3 Knuckleballs in the game, he last 3 pitches to Burroughs.
OCD Phungo would like to note the game was played in Toronto, however on the above Topps card Niekro is clearly wearing the Yankees Home Whites.
Flip
1986 Topps #204 RB Phil Niekro Oldest Pitcher to Hurl a Shutout (b-side)
Topps notes that the standard for eldest pitcher to toss a shutout was previously held by Satchell Paige who as a member of the St Louis Browns shutout the Chicago White Sox 4-0 on September 20, 1952. In his shutout Paige also struck out his final batter, Minnie Minoso. The ageless Paige also went 2-3 with an RBI as a Batter in the game.
On May 7th 2010 the Phillies Jamie Moyer eclipsed Niekro's shutout standard by blanking the Braves 7-0.
Sources and Links
Phungo Phil Niekro HoF Index
Hartford Courant/LA Times - Claire Smith
Baseball-ref
Topps 1986 Record Breakers noted the achievement with card #204. The Yankees gave Niekro a lot of run support in the 8-0 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays. Don Mattingly had a Home Run and scored 3 times and outfielder Henry Cotto tallied four RBIs including a 2-run homer.
Phil Niekro gave up 4 hits in the shutout striking out 5 and walking 3. Notables in the Blue Jays lineup included MLB Dads Cecil Fielder and Jeff Burroughs. Niekro Kd Burroughs swinging for the final out of the game. In an interview by Claire Smith of the Hartford Courant Niekro noted he only threw 3 Knuckleballs in the game, he last 3 pitches to Burroughs.
OCD Phungo would like to note the game was played in Toronto, however on the above Topps card Niekro is clearly wearing the Yankees Home Whites.
Flip
Topps notes that the standard for eldest pitcher to toss a shutout was previously held by Satchell Paige who as a member of the St Louis Browns shutout the Chicago White Sox 4-0 on September 20, 1952. In his shutout Paige also struck out his final batter, Minnie Minoso. The ageless Paige also went 2-3 with an RBI as a Batter in the game.
On May 7th 2010 the Phillies Jamie Moyer eclipsed Niekro's shutout standard by blanking the Braves 7-0.
Sources and Links
Phungo Phil Niekro HoF Index
Hartford Courant/LA Times - Claire Smith
Baseball-ref
