During a 24-year career, Phil Niekro relied not on velocity-but on a fluttering knuckleball-to frustrate major league hitters. His lifetime record of 318-274 produced a winning percentage significantly higher than those teams for which he pitched. "Knucksie" twice led the National League in wins and propelled Atlanta to the National League West title in 1969, when he recorded 23 victories, 21 complete games and a 2.57 ERA. A five-time All-Star, he no-hit the Padres on August 5, 1973, and later managed the all-women Colorado Silver Bullets baseball team.

The younger half of the winningest brother duo in major league history, Joe perfected his knuckleball in the Atlanta system. Purchased by the Astros, Joe soon proved his value. In 1979, Joe and Phil tied for the NL win lead, but Joe was TSN NL Pitcher of the Year and runner-up in the Cy Young vote. Joe won the one-game playoff between the Astros and Dodgers in 1980, then pitched a record 10 shutout innings to a no-decision in the third game of the LCS. From 1980 to 1987, Joe, the winningest pitcher in Astros history, had 104 wins to Phil 's 100. He was 5-4 head-to-head against Phil and homered off him in 1976. He finally appeared in the 1987 World Series a record 19 years' and 138 days' service (over the course of 21 seasons) after beginning his big league career.