The Knuckle Ball

Born in Martins Ferry – in the fall of ‘44, Joe and Brother Phil – were the knuckler’s paramour! – They wound their way through baseball, vexing hitters all the same – From Mendoza’s line to Da Vinci’s circle, the knuckler was to blame!

A batter couldn’t hit a pitch that floated, dipped, and dove. – He simply left his hopes stillborn, back on the old hot stove. – The Niekros didn’t waver; their pitches danced and sang. – They stung their foes with K’s and woes; the victory bell they rang!

Three-hundred Eighteen wins for Phil; Two Twenty-One for Joe! - Phil found his way to Cooperstown; Joe’s glory came too, you know! – In 2005, Joe Niekro, – for his Astros heart, so game, – Was proudly too inducted by the Texas Hall of Fame!

And when we lost sweet Joseph – in October of ‘06, – There were no words to heal the shock of a loss that so transfixed, – Our attention to the cause of loss – aneurysm was its name, – And wiping out that assassin is the Knuckle Ball’s lone game!

And as we think of Joseph now – as we surely always will, – We shall always think of him and Phil – and all they did to thrill, – The hearts of baseball fantasy – that rode the knuckler wave, – One as a loyal Astro – the other as a mighty Brave!

And as we say hello again to a baseball summer night, – We shall not see a sky with stars that does not soon invite, – All our fondest memories of the knuckler – and the man, – Ascending all around us! – Count the diamonds, if you can!

Go forth, Joseph Niekro, through the heavens afar! – Throw your tantalizing knuckler, so we’ll know where you are! – And, on some summer night soon, across a sky, black as tar, – We shall find you fluttering wobblers, striking out a shooting star!

And every time we find you again, our prayer shall be simple, but true: – “Lead us in the Knuckle Ball pitch, Joe, for an answer to aneurysm too!” – The silent monster must be slain; the resident villain must be banned! – We shall not rest until the day – there are cures for the evil at hand!

So, go forth for us all, Joe Niekro, through the infinite heavens afar! – Throw your tantalizing knuckler again, so we’ll know where you are! – And on some summer night soon, across a sky pitch-black as tar, – We shall find you fluttering wobblers, striking out a shooting star!
We can do it with your help, Joe! – You’re pitching in the Bigger League now!

Music at the end of the evening’s program was provided by Grammy Award Country Music Artist Collin Raye who performed for more than 45 minutes, making sure to include all his greatest hits plus some special new releases.

The Knuckle Ball...A Pitch for Life was definitely a homerun. With 2010 just around the corner, the details for next year’s gala are already in the works. Stay tuned for further details and remember....Knuckle Up!