(CNN) Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher Phil Niekro has died at the age of 81 after a battle with cancer, the Atlanta Braves announced on Sunday. "We are heartbroken on the passing of our treasured friend, Phil Niekro," the Braves said in a statement. Phil baffled batters on the field and later was always the first to join in our community activities. After a 24-year career spanning from 1964 to 1987, Niekro was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1997. Knuckleballs are difficult for batters to hit -- and catchers to catch -- because of the ball's erratic movement, MLB.com said.

Source: CNN December 27, 2020 20:03 UTC