But because the pitch is so difficult to throw, even on a good day, you want to reduce as many variables as possible. Your pointer and middle fingertips throw the knuckleball. The air flow over a seam of the ball causes the ball to change from laminar to turbulent flow. Who throws the best knuckleball? A successful knuckleball shot will move, dip, or wobble in the air unpredictably, making it difficult for the goalkeeper to save. Trying to hit that thing is a miserable way to make a living. First called up by Milwaukee in 1964, Niekro seesawed between the majors and minors, a pitcher struggling to find a niche and willing catchers. MISTER KNUCKLEBALL MASTER YOU WILL BE MISSED. During the 1945 season, with talent depleted by call-ups to fight in World War II, the Washington Senators had a pitching rotation which included four knuckleball pitchers (Dutch Leonard, Johnny Niggeling, Mickey "Itsy Bitsy" Haefner, and Roger Wolff) who combined for 60 complete games and 60 wins, carrying the Senators to second place. You do not push a knuckleball with the fingers. It speculates that the appearance of abrupt shifting may be due to the unpredictability of the changes in direction.[9]. "[28] The year before, Niekro had received the most Hall of Fame votes out of all the players in the ballot, but had not received the required 75% of the vote for election. vs. SFG 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 SO, 0 BB, 0 ER, Last Game: Phil Niekro (19392020), legendary knuckleball pitcher. While learning to trust the pitch which is pushed toward home plate without any spin, allowing air currents to move the ball unpredictably Niekro ascended through the Braves minor league system. [2] Other accounts attribute the pitch's creation to Charles H. Druery, a pitcher in the Blue Ridge League. [33], Varitek holds the postseason record with three passed balls in the 13th inning of Game 5 of the 2004 American League Championship Series while catching Wakefield.[34]. Get breaking news alerts& today's headlines inyour inbox. Richard Drew / AP file. Show your love of the game and play a part in preserving past and ensuring the future of the Baseball Hall of Fame. [12] Niekro was given the nickname "Knucksie" during his career. As with many knuckleball pitchers, age proved no barrier to Niekro. pic.twitter.com/bGjFBMJZrL, Full Obituary: Atlanta Journal Constitution. He was kind, a gentleman, family man, master of his trade and teamate 84-85. La maledetta che sfida la fisica", "Noughty Boys: No one hit a free-kick quite like Juninho Pernambucano", "Pele to Zico to Beckham to Ronaldo: Evolution of the Free-Kick Masters", "Mestre de Pirlo, Juninho Pernambucano ensinou italiano a bater falta", "The Top 15 Best Shooters in World Football", "Bonansea: I was always daydreaming of football in class", The (Mostly) Complete List of Knuckleball Pitchers, NPR.org on the Red Sox's re-acquisition of Doug Mirabelli, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Knuckleball&oldid=1137620558, This page was last edited on 5 February 2023, at 16:41. On behalf of the Board of Directors and the staff of the National Baseball Hall of Fame, I would like to send our heartfelt condolences to Nancy Niekro and the Niekro family., Born April 1, 1939 in Blaine, Ohio, Philip Henry Niekro was taught the knuckler by his father. View Phil Niekro's Page at the Baseball Hall of Fame (plaque, photos, videos). His pitching coach? Some defensive statistics Copyright Sports Info Solutions, 2010-2023. [1], Between 1977 and 1979, Niekro was the league leader in complete games, innings pitched and batters faced. us, Died: Sponsored. Phil Niekro dug his fingernails into the baseballs seams and carved out a legend eventually earning a plaque in Cooperstown. By continuing to use this website, you consent to the use of cookies in accordance with our Cookie Policy. And if you can throw a ball without any spin at 65-plus miles-per-hour, than you've got a great knuckleball grip.But there are overwhelming similarities between the grips of the great knuckleball pitchers; guys like Phil Niekro, Charlie Hough, Tom . While he was briefly promoted to the Class AAA Louisville Colonels in 1960, he spent the rest of that season pitching for the Jacksonville Braves. Niekro was remembered by the Hall as "master of the knuckleball and a great mentor, leader and friend." Niekro didn't make it to the big leagues until 1964, when he pitched 10 games in relief for . Many historical player head shots courtesy of David Davis. Atlanta Braves pitcher Phil Niekro is seen in a 1968 photo. Niekro taught his nephew Lance Niekro to throw a knuckleball after Lance's unsuccessful stints as a power-hitting first base prospect with the San Francisco Giants. [36] This technique has also been described as the "dry leaf" or "dead leaf" ("folha seca" in Portuguese),[37] the "tomahawk",[38] or even "the accursed" ("maledetta" in Italian). Joe Niekro died in 2006 at age 61. The brothers were the sons of a coal miner[5] who had pitched semi-pro baseball and learned to throw a knuckleball from another coal miner. FILE - In this March 29, 2007, file photo, Baseball Hall of Famer Phil Niekro holds a knuckleball at the Great Lakes Science Center in Cleveland. [16] He started the 1987 season with the Indians, going 711 in 26 starts. Phil Niekro achieved . 5.0. In one day", "Jim Bouton, Author of Tell-All Baseball Memoir 'Ball Four,' Dies at 80", "Arencibia lives knuckleball nightmare on opening day", "All-Star Game 2012: The Glove To Catch R. A. Dickey", "Victor Martinez passes the Wakefield test", "Red Sox catcher Ryan Lavarnway ties big league record with four passed balls", "Cricket World Cup: The writers' verdicts", "Set-piece dilemma: CR7 Tomahawk vs Bale Knuckleball", "Juventus: Pirlo, ma che punizione hai tirato? As of 2021, four primary knuckleball pitchers are in the Baseball Hall of Fame today. Many current pitchers throw a curveball using a grip with the index finger touching the ball with the knuckle or fingertip (also called a spike curve). "[24] Catcher Bob Uecker was also frustrated by the pitch at times, saying, "Niekro struck out a hitter once and I never touched the ball. Copyright 2000-2023 Sports Reference LLC. But the knuckleball carried Niekro to more than 300 . We present them here for purely educational purposes. Regardless of how the ball is gripped, the purpose of the knuckleball is to have the least possible amount of rotational spin. He returned to Louisville in 1962 and had a 96 record. Phil Niekro was a legendary Hall of Fame pitcher known for his knuckleball pitch, who played for the Braves most of his career. [22], A sidearm pitcher, his pitching featured the knuckleball, which frustrated major league hitters. [1], From 1975 to 1976, he went 1515 and 1711 and made a second All-Star appearance in 1975. He had been diagnosed with prostate[31] cancer.[32][33]. He amassed 121 victories after he turned 40 -- a major league record -- and pitched until he was 48. He was the master of the most uncontrollable pitch baseball has ever seen an offering so confusing that its name, the knuckleball, is actually a misnomer. [18] After going 02 in three starts, the Blue Jays released Niekro. Following a 23-13 season in 1969 that firmly established him as one of baseballs best, the durable Niekro consistently piled up innings and perplexed batters. Phil Niekro, a pitcher who used his signature knuckleball to fool generations of hitters and craft a Hall of Fame career, died Saturday night in his sleep, the Braves announced Sunday. It does not need to be thrown hard (in fact, throwing too hard may diminish its effectiveness), and is therefore less taxing on the arm. 300, entered the bottom of the ninth having shut out the Jays on curveballs, slip pitches, fastballs and screwballs -- everything but a knuckleball. He emerged from Ohio coal mine country as a conventional pitching prospect, signing with the Braves in 1958 but resisting the knuckleball until a minor league manager told him to throw the knuckler or go home., (My father) taught it to me in the backyard, Niekro said. and he is still predominantly recognized as the premier knuckleball pitcher in the game's history. Phil and Joe, known as "Knucksie" and "Little Knucksie," respectively, learned well, going on to pitch a total of 46 major league seasons, earn six All-Star Game berths and, in perhaps their proudest achievement, combine for 539 victories. Phil Niekro owns one of, if not, the best knuckleball in MLB history. Ralph Kiner compared Niekro's special pitch to "watching Mario Andretti park a car". "Trying to hit Phil Niekro is like trying to eat Jell-O with chopsticks," said former New York Yankees All-Star outfielder Bobby Murcer. In addition, the lack of backspin does shorten the length of the delivery, and also tends to make the ball skid off the pitchfaster than it would come off a normal delivery.[35]. "He was a constant presence over the years, in our clubhouse, our alumni activities and throughout Braves Country and we will forever be grateful for having him be such an important part of our organization. Ferrell knew knuckleballs: he had the task of being the Washington Senators catcher in 194445, when the Senators had four knuckleball pitchers in their starting rotation. [10], In 1970, he went 1218 with a 4.27 ERA in what turned out to be a down year. By 1967, Niekro was one of the top pitchers in the game, leading the NL that year with an ERA of 1.87. The Niekro brothers would face each other nine times in their career, with Joes team winning five. [1] That season, Phil and Joe Niekro were NL co-leaders in wins. A paper presented at the 2012 Conference of the International Sports Engineering Association argues, based on PITCHf/x data, that knuckleballs do not make large and abrupt changes in their trajectories on the way to home plateor at least, no more abrupt than a normal pitch. The Braves finished 3rd, 4th, and 5th in their division. [2], Pitchers like Bouton have found success as knuckleballers after their ability to throw hard declined. Stay away from them at all costs.And stay tuned for the next part of this never-ending series about knuckleball grips Theres just so much to talk about. I LOVE NEW YORK is a registered trademark and service mark of the New York State Department of Economic Development; used with permission. Phil Niekro was 6-1 (185 cm) tall. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. De knuckleball is n van de worpen waarvan een honkbalwerper zich in een wedstrijd kan bedienen. FILE - In this 1970 file photo, Atlanta Braves' Phil Niekro poses for a photo. "I got to meet a lot of important people. After work hours guitarist, DJ, record label owner and New York style pizza aficionado. After the season, the Braves released him.[11]. It hit me in the shinguard, bounced out to Clete Boyer at third base and he threw out the runner at first. Become a Stathead & surf this site ad-free. If one of the fingers puts more pressure on the ball than the other, the ball spins. FILE - In this March 29, 2007, file photo, Baseball Hall of Famer Phil Niekro holds a knuckleball at the Great Lakes Science Center in Cleveland. In the finale, manager Billy Martin handed pitching coach duties to Joe Niekro and the ball to Phil Niekro. He taught the boys the pitch in the backyard. Rookie Status: He found both in 1967, when he was united with Bob Uecker, a veteran reserve backstop with many quips and sage advice. This can be attributed to a variety of factors. Phil Niekro shares a story with Braves fans during A Night at the Museum at the Hall of Fame. He pitched in the major leagues from 1964 to 1987. Phil Niekro, Braves and Yankees pitcher whose knuckleball earned him spot in Hall of Fame, dies at 81. [8] To reduce the chances of having the knuckleball get hit for a home run, some pitchers will impart a slight topspin so that if no force causes the ball to dance, it will move downward in flight. Bases loaded, nobody out, a lead slipping away. The nice thing about Phil Niekro is, he doesn't look his age. December 27, 2020, 9:39 AM. In this March 29, 2007, file photo, Baseball Hall of Famer Phil Niekro holds a knuckleball which he used to pitch well into his 40s. Niekro threw a no-hitter against the Padres on Aug. 5, 1973, and won his 300th career game on the final day of the 1985 season by throwing just one knuckler on the last pitch of the game. [29], The Gwinnett Braves' home, Coolray Field, has a restaurant, Niekro's, named after him. I didnt know what it was or anything, he showed me how to hold it and wed just play knuckleball in the backyard., Phil Niekro pitched for the Braves for 21 seasons, topping the 300-inning mark in four seasons. He finally went to the knuckler for the game's final batter, striking out former teammate Jeff Burroughs on three pitches to cap the 8-0 victory and become the 18 th 300-game winner in history. In volleyball, the float serve involves hitting the volleyball in such a way to minimize the rotation of the ball, causing unpredictability in the ball's movement. Full-year historical Major League statistics provided by Pete Palmer and Gary Gillette of Hidden Game Sports. [14], Another factor contributing to the rarity of the knuckleball is the difficulty of throwing the pitch. Seek out and celebrate your heroes, and explore online and in-person exhibits commemorating the history and impact of the game. This is due to both the knuckleball's low average speed and its erratic movement, which force the catcher to keep focusing on the ball even after the runners start stealing their next bases. vs. SFG 3.0 IP, 6 H, 0 SO, 6 BB, 5 ER. In 1979, Phil, pitching for the Braves, and Joe, for the Astros, tied for the most victories in the National League, with 21 each. Ed Summers, an Indianapolis teammate of Cicotte who adopted the pitch and helped develop it, modified it by holding the ball with his fingertips and using the thumb for balance. from the SABR BioProject, Relatives: Brother ofJoe Niekro; Uncle ofLance Niekro, More Phil Niekro Pages at Baseball Reference. [3][4] He was of Polish descent. [28], The knuckleball does provide some advantages to its practitioners. [1] Niekro's playoff loss came against Seaver. 12,210th in major league history) This grip can also include digging the fingernails into the surface of the ball. Data Provided By The symbol of both the success and longevity of Niekro's career was the knuckleball, that whimsical floater that baffles not only hitters and catchers but also the pitchers who never really know how the rotationless pitch will dance toward the plate. It was Oct. 6, 1985, the final day of the season. Their win total still stands as a major league record for siblings, as they surpassed another brother combination featuring a Hall of Famer: Gaylord and Jim Perry (529 wins combined). These include the flutterball, the floater, the dancer, the butterfly ball (the name for the pitch used by French language game commentators employed by the Montreal Expos), the ghostball, and the bug. 1978 Topps #206 Strikeout Leaders Phil Niekro Nolan Ryan - Nice Card. Phil Niekro was one of thirty-seven men to take the field for the 1965 Milwaukee Braves, the last year they existed (1953-1965) before moving to Atlanta.When Knucksie hung up his cleats in 1987, he was the last active player from the former team.. Phil Niekro, on July 29, 1977, joined the 4 Strikeouts in 1 Inning "club" - the first (known / located) instance by a Braves pitcher. Niekro joined Al Kaline, Tom Seaver, Lou Brock, Bob Gibson . Also featured are the stories of the best knuckleball catchers, from Bob Uecker and Doug Mirabelli to Rick Ferrell and Paul Richards. You get beaten down to learn another @baseballhall friend #PhilNiekro passed away. Phil Niekro was elected into the Hall of Fame in 1997. We'll miss you, Knucksie. Phil Niekro played 24 . ASSOCIATED . Brothers Joe (left) and Phil Niekro squared off against one another on July 4, 1967 in a game won by Phil's Atlanta Braves against the Chicago Cubs, 8-3. Twenty years after he broke into the majors, 45-year-old starter Phil Niekro deals a knuckleball against the Chicago White Sox at Yankee Stadium, Aug. 8, 1984. All images are property the copyright holder and are displayed here for informational purposes only. Phil Niekro Phil is probably the best known knuckleball pitcher. April 1, 1939 Phil Niekro signs autographs for fans in Cooperstown at the 2011 Hall of Fame Parade of Legends. Check out some of his b. I don't think of his Hall of Fame plaque. Vic DeLucia/The New York Times. [33] It was tied by Niekro passed away on Dec. 26, 2020, at the age of 81. It is for this reason that the knuckleball is widely regarded as unreliable, and knuckleball pitchers are prone to extended slumps, such as when Tim Wakefield was released from the Pirates in a mid-career slump during spring training in 1995. He won 121 games after turning 40, and retired with 318 victories over the course of 5,404 innings the fourth-most all-time and the most of any pitcher whose career started in the live ball era. I don't think of his knuckleball. In addition, Phil played American Legion Baseball. The Boston Red Sox, in their 2004 world championship season, had Mirabelli regularly catching in place of Jason Varitek when Tim Wakefield was pitching. A reporter once noted that Phil is 48 but you'd never know it. Niekro, who pitched well into his 40s with a knuckleball that . He appeared in relief three times, earning two saves. [9] He appeared in 37 games, finishing with a 1412 record and 15 complete games. This shooting technique is frequently used by players for long-range shots and free kicks. [3] In 1917, Druery taught the pitch to Eddie Rommel who became successful with it for the Philadelphia Athletics.[4]. Phil Niekro, the Hall of Fame knuckleballer who won 318 games in a 24-year career, died in his sleep Saturday night after a battle with cancer, the Atlanta Braves announced Sunday. Niekro has died after a long fight with cancer, the team announced today. As I discussed earlier, there are a few different ways to grip the knuckleball. "I never knew how to throw a fastball, never learned how to throw a curveball, a slider, split-finger, whatever they're throwing nowadays," he said. Between 1964 and 1987, Phil racked up 318 wins (the most by a knuckleball pitcher), struck out over 3,000 and had a ERA of 3.35. (Josh Szot/National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum), Phil Niekro managed the Colorado Silver Bullets baseball team from 1994-97. (Parker Fish/National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum) If staying in the majors could be owed to the knuckler, the same factor might also explain Niekro's initial difficulty in reaching the big leagues. When done correctly, the float serve is hard for opponents to predict where the ball will end up, thus rendering it hard to pass. Amazingly, he won 121 games over the age of 40 thanks to his knuckleball. His younger brother Joe was also a Major League pitcher, who won more than 200 games. Because the speed of any prospect's pitch is one of the quickest and easiest metrics in judging the skill of the prospect, the knuckleball, which is thrown slower than any other pitch, gets overlooked. Javascript is required for the selection of a player. Phil Knucksie Niekro used his expertise with the knuckleball pitch to win 318 games during a Hall of Fame career. As a mentor, leader and friend, Phil brought out the best in all of us in Cooperstown. Rich in anecdotes and interviews, this book shares the unique stories of Hoyt Wilhelm, Phil Niekro, Jim Bouton, Tom Candiotti, Tim Wakefield, R.A. Dickey, and many others. National Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher Phil Niekro a longtime pitcher for the Milwaukee/Atlanta Braves who was known for his blistering knuckleball died in his sleep . But that was nothing new. (Voted by BBWAA on 380/473 ballots) Talk about a weird assist: 253 on a strikeout. "In the last century, no pitcher threw more than Phil's 5,404 innings. Niekro's first two Topps baseball cards are both combination cards with other Braves prospects and his 1965 Topps card is shared with pitcher Clay Carroll. [1] He was released by the Yankees before the 1986 season started. They hold the record for most combined wins by siblings in a career with 539. Put yourself into a position to give yourself a chance and use two fingertips. Hij doelde daarmee op top-knuckleballers in de Major League als Tim Wakefield en Phil Niekro . The Hall of Fame knuckleballer died at 81 years old after a battle with cancer, his former team announced Sunday. [21] Mickey Jannis of the Baltimore Orioles organization also throws the knuckleball, and made his major league debut on June 23, 2021. But the knuckleball carried Niekro to more than 300 wins, earned him a . Use without license or authorization is expressly prohibited. Burroughs struck out, giving the Yankees an 8-0 victory and Niekro his milestone. R. A. Dickey argues that, "for most managers, it takes a special manager to be able to really trust it the bad and the good of it. Seams are you worst enemy. Niekro was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1997 and served on the Museums Board of Directors since 2009. Or write about sports? [22], On September 18, 2020, the first knuckleball thrown in 2020 was by the New York Mets' Todd Frazier, normally a third baseman, in a 15-2 blowout loss to Atlanta Braves. He was a key contributor to the Braves winning their only two division titles before 1991. (A common phrase for hitting a knuckleball is "if it's low, let it go; if it's high, let it fly"; meaning that a batter should attempt to hit a knuckleball only if it crosses the plate high in the strike zone due to lack of break.) The four pitchers in the hall of fame include Phil Niekro, Ted Lyons, Jesse Haines, and Hoyt Wilhelm. By the end of 1987, his final season, Niekro ranked 10th among major leaguers in number of seasons played. ATLANTA (AP) Phil Niekro threw a pitch that baffled hitters and catchers. A knuckleball is thrown with normal arm action, but the wrist remains stiff until the baseball has completely left the hand. [21], At the age of 48, Niekro was the oldest player in major league history to play regularly until Julio Franco played at age 49 in 2007. Since it typically only travels 60 to 70 miles per hour (97 to 113km/h),[7] far slower than the average major league fastball 85 to 95 miles per hour (137 to 153km/h), it can be hit very hard if there is no movement. April 15, 1964 By Jim Murray. This change adds a deflecting force to the baseball, making it difficult for batters to hit but also difficult for pitchers to control and catchers to catch; umpires are challenged as well, as the ball's irregular motion through the air makes it harder to call balls and strikes. [10], Coaches have also been seen as a barrier to succeeding with the knuckleball. Another drawback is that runners on base can usually advance more easily than if a conventional pitcher is on the mound. 5/08 - initial page AKA This grip is also called knuckler, dancer, or floater. Former catcher Bob Uecker, who caught for Phil Niekro, said, "The way to catch a knuckleball is to wait until it stops rolling and pick it up. The Book: Playing the Percentages in Baseball, Did not play in major or minor leagues (Military Service), Salaries may not be complete (especially pre-1985) and may not include some earned bonuses, Note, this is done in an automated way, so we apologize for any errors, & please. [8], Niekro led the league with a 1.87 ERA in 1967, earning an 119 record with 10 complete games and 9 saves. His skill on the mound was surpassed perhaps only by his good humor and kind nature, which won him friends throughout baseball and the world. His 23 victories that season earned him second place in the National League Cy Young Award vote. And if you can throw a ball without any spin at 65-plus miles-per-hour, than youve got a great knuckleball grip. He went 1111 with a 4.32 ERA. [6], Niekro signed with the Milwaukee Braves in 1959 for $250 ($2,324 in current dollar terms). But Niekro, who pitched for the Braves, Yankees, Indians and Blue Jays for 24 seasons, was more . Hitting a knuckleball is different enough from other aspects of baseball that players specifically prepare for the pitch during batting practice before games they expect it in. Niekro was the king of the knuckleballers, ranking first in victories and strikeouts (3,342). Avoid the seams. Biographical Information [] "It actually giggles at you as it goes by." - Rick Monday, discussing Niekro's famous knuckleball Phil Niekro was, by several years, the last man born in the 1930s to be playing Major League Baseball. Heck, the pitch comes and goes when it feels like it and, get this, you never really master it. [2] If a knuckleball does not change direction in mid-flight, however, then it is easy to hit due to its lack of speed. The knuckleball is also employed by cricket fast bowlers Zaheer Khan, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Andrew Tye as their slower delivery. On August 5, 1973, Niekro threw a no-hitter against the San Diego Padres, the first for the Braves since moving to Atlanta. Niekro, who pitched well into his 40s with a knuckleball that baffled big league hitters for more than two decades, mostly with the Braves, has died after a long fight with cancer, the team . Because there are so few knuckleball pitchers, the resources for learning and improving the knuckleball are few compared to more common pitches. On Sunday we learned that Phil Niekro, the greatest knuckleball pitcher in baseball history, had died of cancer the day before at age 81. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. Your grip should avoid seams altogether. He was 81. Thats a long phrase, but it is an important one to learn, A solid knuckleball grip with no fatal flaws. [8], Niekro debuted with the Milwaukee Braves in 1964, working 15 major league innings and spending time with the team's class AAA minor league affiliate. Where was Phil Niekro born? It feels comfortable to me. Well, three fingers gives you a much better chance of spinning the ball, and heres why: To eliminate the spin you need to apply even pressure from two fingertips. He was known for his knuckleball, and had a career record of 318-274. By adding a third finger, you make the process a lot more difficult. He always represented his sport extraordinarily well, and he will be deeply missed. This use of a "specialist" catcher continued into the 2008 season following the signing of Kevin Cash, and 2009 saw George Kottaras fulfill this role. Following his baseball career, he managed the Colorado Silver Bullets, an all-women baseball team in the late 1990s. Niekro, who pitched well into his 40s with a knuckleball that baffled big league hitters for more than two decades . Discover one-of-a-kind artifacts and get lost in sweeping exhibitions that explore pivotal moments in the game and its impact far beyond the field. Niekro and his younger brother Joe amassed 539 wins between them, the most combined wins by brothers in baseball history. [32] For a catcher, a key disadvantage to using a first baseman's glove mitt is that they are not designed for easy extraction of the ball from the glove, making it harder to prevent baserunners from stealing. Born: ", "Will R. A. Dickey's Angry Knuckleball Change The Game? Heck, he didn't even know where it was going most of the time. The fluttering knuckler danced throughout the summers in the Atlanta heat, and by his late 30s Niekro became an absolute workhorse averaging 335 innings a season from 1977 through 1979 and becoming the last pitcher to post back-to-back seasons of at least 300 innings pitched. "They may not be intimidated by them, but they sure are thinking about them before they go into the box.". In 2013, J. P. Arencibia set a Toronto Blue Jays franchise record by allowing four passed balls in the season opener (a 42 loss) while catching for knuckleballer R. A. Dickey. Subscribe to the weekly newsletter for all the latest updates.