1977 Topps Baseball #615 - Phil Niekro

• Phil Niekro had a hard time winning games for the awful Atlanta Braves teams of the late 70s. Niekro led the NL in losses (20), complete games (20), innings pitched (330), hits allowed (315), earned runs allowed (148), wild pitches (17), walks (164), and strikeouts (262). It was the first of four straight years (1977-1980) that Niekro would lead the NL in losses. Phil had a decision in 36 of his 43 starts.
• When the 1977 season started Phil was just turning 38 and he had 162 career wins. Niekro finished with 318 career wins, which means that he had 156 wins after his 38th birthday. Remarkable.
• After the 1977 season Braves' manager Dave Bristol was fired. Phil expressed his interest in the job, but the Braves hired Bobby Cox instead.
• 1977 Stats: 16-20, 4.03 ERA in 44 games (43 starts)
• 1977 Highlights:
• June 9 - Shut the Philadelphia Phillies out on four hits. Phil struck out 13 batters and walked only one.
• June 30 - Went the distance and beat fellow knuckleballer Charlie Hough as the Braves beat the LA Dodgers 5-4. Niekro had an RBI single as well.
• July 29 - Struck out four batters in one inning. The Braves beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 5-3.
• Other card blogs: 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1979, 1980, 1980, 1983, 1985, 1986, 1988