MLB Power Rankings: Top 10 Knuckleballers in Major League History
Fastballs top radar guns, curveballs buckle knees, sliders produce groundouts, and knuckleballs...well...you try hitting one!
It can be argued that one of the toughest and most strenuous positions in all of sports is a Major League pitcher. The physical and mental demands it takes to play the position is absolutely incredible. However, there is a solution to such rigorous demands. Instead of grasping the ball with the inner portion of the fingers and constantly switching grips one could always try picking up the ball using only the knuckles and see what comes out of it. If done right, there could be a career full of efficiency and longevity.
Here is a list of 10 guys that mastered the craft of chucking the most awkward looking yet insanely hard pitch to hit.
10. Wilbur Wood
1 of 10
Wood is regularly forgotten (even by his own fanbase) in the discussion of the greatest knuckleballers, However, he did have a 17 year career that produced 164 wins, and had an unbelievable stretch from 1971-1974 where he led the Major League in wins, with 90.
9. Charlie Hough
2 of 10
Consistency and Longevity defined Hough. He finished his 25 year career with a .500 record, but he was always thought as reliable.
8. Tim Wakefield
3 of 10
He doesn't just make the list because he is current and recognizable. He makes the list because of how dependable and instrumental he has been for the Red Sox over the years. Especially throughout the World Series runs.
.png?w=256)
7. Jesse Haines
4 of 10
Haines won 210 games as a knuckleball pitcher, in which many of them were shutouts. He was a key component for the Cardinals organization throughout the 1920's and 1930"s.
6. Larry French
5 of 10
Just like many of the players from his time, his career was cut short by the war. Before joining the Navy in 1943, French won 191 games and had an ERA of 3.44. If he continued playing he might have been higher on the list; since his best year came in 1942 where he was 15-4 and was put on the ballot for MVP.
5. Joe Niekro
6 of 10
Shadowed by his brother's success, Joe quietly had a good career. He won 221 games and had a 3.59 ERA. He and his brother could go down as one of the better pitchers pairs of brothers in MLB history.
4. Hoyt Wilhelm
7 of 10When you think of a closer you think of an intimidating individual. A knuckleballer probably doesn't fit that description. However, Hoyt was extremely successful closing out games. In his time, the term "Closer" had yet to be coined, and there was not a spot on the roster for that specific position. Hoyt happened to be a very good relief pitcher who did well closing games out. He ended his career with 227 saves and 143 wins.
3. Ted Lyons
8 of 10Out of the comprised list, Lyons could be referred to as the "Long Distance Man". He completed 356 games out of 484 starts and in 1927 he accomplished a remarkable feat by exceeding 300 innings pitched.
2. Eddie Cicotte
9 of 10Nicknamed Knuckles, Cicotte is widely considered the inventor of the knuckleball. His creation helped him produce strong statistics, but his career was shortened by many years since he was banned for his involvement in the 1919 World Series scandal. He finished his career 209-148 and had a 2.38 ERA.
1. Phil Niekro
10 of 10Being a member of the Hall of Fame automatically puts Niekro number 1 on my list. He finished his career with 318 wins, and he stuck out as a superstar during a time in which some of the greatest ptichers of all time controlled the mound. If I were to comprise a list of the Top 15 pitchers of all time he would more than likely make the list.
.png?w=480)
