Every donation matters - every dollar counts. The Joe Niekro Foundation is a registered 501 (c)(3) which means your donations are 100% tax deductible. Your donations are used to enhance the research and treatment of aneurysm patients and families.
Natalie speaks with 790AM Sports in Houston about The Knuckle Ball - July 21, 2008
Natalie speaks with Cumulus Radio (730AM in Huntsville, AL) Personality, Johnny "Ballpark" Franks about The Joe Niekro Foundation - July 21, 2008
A Touching Interview on The Joe Niekro Foundation - October 26th, 2009
On the eve of the three year anniversary of her father's death, Natalie speaks about her childhood as the daughter of a professional baseball player and what she is doing today to keep her father's legacy alive.
Joe's Legacy Lives On Through His Children - February 12th, 2009
Natalie and Lance Niekro speak with WLKF personality, Ronnie O. about their father and the life lessons he taught them.
Press Releases and Articles
Atlanta Braves Honor Joe Niekro
Hall of Famer, Phil Niekro joined president of The Joe Niekro Foundation, Natalie Niekro, at Turner Field on August 16th to host Brain Aneurysm Awareness Night. Read the full article here.
Twins to Honor Joe Niekro for Brain Aneurysm Awareness Night - July 27, 2010
On Saturday, July 31, The Minnesota Twins will honor one of baseball’s most renowned pitchers and former Minnesota Twins knuckleballer, Joe Niekro. Read the full article here.
Xavier Smith speaks with Natalie Niekro About The Joe Niekro Foundation- March 2, 2009
Xavier Smith speaks with Natalie Niekro about what she has to say and how you can get involved with her wonderful organization. Read the full article here
Jimmy Scott's High & Tight: The Natalie Niekro Interview - November 23, 2009
Imagine you were a little kid and one day you realize your dad is more than just a regular dad, he's a Major League Baseball player. Read the full article here
The Rest of the Story: The Joe Niekro Foundation and the Arizona Fall League - November 13, 2009
"And that's the rest of the story" was, of course, the famous phrase uttered countless times by the late, great, Paul Harvey. Read the full article here
AFL pitchers raise more than $22,000 - Strikeouts aid Niekro Foundation, Aneurysm Awareness - November 6, 2009
Saturday would have been Joe Niekro's 65th birthday. His daughter, Natalie, couldn't think of a better way to honor it than by being at the ballpark, spreading the work being done by the foundation in his name. Read the full article here
Natalie Niekro Takes Message About Aneurysm Awareness to MLB Network - November 6, 2009
On the day that would have been her father’s 65th birthday, Natalie Niekro will honor the memory of her father, former major league baseball star Joe Niekro, by telling a national audience about the importance of awareness about and funding for aneurysm research. Read the full article here
Joe Niekro Foundation recognized - October 27, 2009
Monday marked the day that Niekro succumbed to a brain aneurysm. In conjunction with that date, the Arizona Fall Baseball League has proclaimed this week as Brain Aneurysm Awareness Week in honor of the Joe Niekro Foundation. Read the full article here
Strikeouts to benefit Niekro Foundation - October 26, 2009
Every year, teams support various charities with strikeout-induced fundraisers. Typically, a sponsor decides to donate a certain amount of money for every strikeout a certain pitcher rings up. Read the full article here
Joe Niekro Foundation Throws Its Pitch To Arizona Fall League Fans - October16, 2009
A little girl's unconditional love for her father is a heartwarming story that I can hear over and over again without tiring of it. More so, I feel absolutely within the boundaries of creative license to share the story on more than one occasion. Read the full article here
Arizona Fall League partners with The Joe Niekro Foundation - October 08, 2009
I am so excited to announce a fabulous partnership and October promotion with The Arizona Fall League. Fate has turned it’s hand once again and great things lie ahead. The week of October 26th is being named Aneurysm Awareness Week, in honor of The Joe Niekro Foundation. Read the full article here
Joe Niekro: Daddy's Little Girl Knuckles Up for Aneurysm Research - August 13, 2009
It's funny how life sometimes brings you down a path you didn't plan to walk down. You welcome its existence and take the first step with a slight sense of trepidation. Read the full article here
Astros honor one of their own and raise funds for aneurysm research - August 6, 2009
Memories of the Astros' most winning pitcher, the late Joe Niekro, filled Minute Maid Park during an upbeat evening that raised $400,000 for the Methodist Neurological Institute.
The Knuckle Ball: It's Now A Pitch for Life Over Sudden Death - July 3, 2009
When seven year old Natalie Niekro wrote this beautiful and sweet little poem a few years ago, she had no idea of the shock, sadness, and grief that would years later strike her hard beyond belief on an ordinary day in the future. Read the full article here
Hall of Famer Phil Niekro remembers his brother Joe - July 2, 2009
Nothing in baseball can be as unpredictable as the knuckleball, a crazy corkscrew of a pitch that befuddles hitters and catchers alike. Read the full article here
Turning a tragedy into a positive - August 26, 2008
As baseball season starts winding down, we'll soon be hearing a lot more about one particular former Astros great Joe Niekro won more games than any pitcher in Astros history. Read the full article here
Niekro-inspired foundation aids aneurysm research - July 29, 2008
On Oct. 27, 2006 former major-league pitcher Joe Niekro had a headache after getting a tuxedo fitted for his daughter Natalie's wedding. "'He just said, 'Wow this is the worst headache I've ever had,' " said Natalie Niekro of Scottsdale. Read the full article here
Houston Medical Journal - July 2008
Chances are that many people have had the misfortune of experiencing a headache at some point in their life. Typically, relief is found within hours through the use of medication. Read the full article here
The Black Chair: Niekro and The Knuckle Ball.
When Natalie Niekro was a little girl, she often accompanied her dad to work, where she played with the kids of his coworkers in the world’s biggest playground. With the crunch of turf under their feet, they played in the cavernous Houston Astrodome while their fathers worked nearby. Read the full article here
The Knuckleball...A Pitch for LIfe
Join the Houston Astros and the Joe Niekro Foundation for an unforgettable evening of fantastic food, beverages, casino gambling and live entertainment with some of baseball's greatest legends and country music stars. Read the full article here
Joe Niekro Foundation plans first fundraiser - June 21, 2008
Oct. 27, 2006, was supposed to be a happy day for Natalie Niekro and her family. She was in the midst of planning her upcoming wedding, and her father, former major league pitcher Joe Niekro, was having his tuxedo fitted for the occasion. Read the full article here
Niekros and the Knuckle Ball: Going to Bat for Aneurysm Research
When Natalie Niekro was a little girl, she often accompanied her dad to work, where she played with the kids of his co-workers in the world’s biggest playground. With the crunch of turf under their feet, they played in the cavernous Houston Astrodome while their fathers worked nearby. Read the full article here
