The Joe Niekro Foundation Knuckle-Up Newsletter August 2011 Brain Aneurysm Awareness Night at Turner Field a HUGE success On July 16th, The Atlanta Braves honored one of baseball’s most renowned pitchers and former Atlanta Braves Knuckleballer, Joe Niekro. Niekro spent 22 years in the major leagues, notching 221 wins and still holds the record, with his brother Phil, of the most successful brother combination in major league his- tory, with 539 wins. On October 27, 2006, Joe passed away from a sudden brain aneurysm. Today, his legacy lives on through the Joe Niekro Foundation, committed to the awareness and funding for aneurysm research and treatment. To honor this knuckleball legend, The Atlanta Braves hosted “Brain Aneurysm Awareness Night” at Turner Field on July 16, 2011. President and Founder of The Joe Niekro Foundation, Joe’s daughter, Natalie and Joe’s brother, Hall of Famer Phil Niekro were joined by over 25 aneurysm sur- vivors from the Atlanta area and medical professionals from Emory Hospital for a special pre-game on field ceremony. From the moment the gates opened to game time, fans visited The Joe Niekro Foundation booth in Monument Grove where they received a Wanna Get Lucky? t-shirt and autograph from Phil Niekro for a minimum donation of $20. Wanna Get Lucky? is the foundation’s national awareness initia- tive campaign to educate people on the importance of early detection. In addition, throughout the game, fans were encouraged to participate in a “Text to Give” campaign by texting the word Strikeout to 20222. By doing so the texter was making a $10 donation to The Joe Niekro Foundation. Natalie and foundation volunteers sold Wanna Get Lucky? shirts throughout the game, plus gave text donors a commemorative Wanna Get Lucky? stress ball as a thank you for their support. We are pleased to report that Brain Aneu- rysm Awareness Night raised great awareness for The Joe Niekro Foundation and we thank everyone for their tremendous support. Inside this issue: 3rd Annual Knuckle 2 Ball...SAVE THE DATE Former MLB All-Stars to sign autographs 2 for JNF donations 1st Annual Golf-A- 3 Phil Niekro signs a Wanna Get Lucky? shirt for a Natalie and Phil Niekro are joined by several aneu- Thon is underway dedicated fan rysm survivors for the on field pre-game ceremony Phoenix Support 3 Group Witnesses Live Phil Niekro is introduced to the crowd of more than Aneurysm Surgery 25,000 at Turner Field on July 16th. Ways to Support our 3 Cause The Wanna Get Lucky? Stress Legends Fantasy Balls were handed out to 4 Camp thousands the night of the game. Contact Us/Board of 4 Directors To view the special video announcement shown during the game, click here. The Joe Niekro Foundation • P.O. Box 2876 • Scottsdale, AZ 85252-2876 • (o) 602-318-1013 • (f) 480-323-2876 www.joeniekrofoundation.org Former Knuckle Ball Attending Athletes The Joe Niekro Foundation Knuckle-Up Newsletter Page 2 MLB Brain Aneurysm Awareness Nights Making Their Way Carlos Alfonso Knuckle Ball 2012 - Mark your Calendars! Across the Country Sparky Anderson Kevin Bass Dave Bergman For those of Join The Joe Niekro Foundation as we travel to Bill Buckner you that have various baseball parks this summer to help bring Enos Cabell missed the awareness to our cause, promote Wanna Get Bert Campaneris past two Lucky? and our Text to Give campaign. You never Satch Davidson Bill Dawley Knuckle Ball know - we may just be coming to your hometown Jeff DeWillis events, mark soon! Larry Dierker your calen- Monday, August 15 - Comerica Park - Detroit, MI Bob Feller dars for the Jim Foor 3rd Annual Join us at 5:30 for a special pre-game autograph Phil Garner signing session with Tiger Alumni Dave Bergman, Darryl Hamilton Knuckle Ball Ed Herrmann set to take Dave Rozema and Mickey Lolich. For a minimum Art Howe place on April $25 donation, you will receive a Wanna Get Lucky? Deacon Jones 14th, 2012. shirt autographed by these Tiger greats. Or bring Frank LaCorte Home of the your own memorabilia and make your way down John McLaren the signing line as these former Tigers help support Roger Metzger Houston Astros, Minute Maid Field will host this Joe Morgan black tie gala, emceed by none other than Joe’s The Joe Niekro Foundation. We hope you’ll join us Lance Niekro brother and Hall of Fame pitcher, Phil Niekro. On on August 15th! Click here for more info. Phil Niekro April 14th, athletes from all over the country will Sunday, August 21 - Target Field - Minneapolis, Gaylord Perry come together to honor the beloved 13-year Terry Puhl MN Craig Reynolds Houston Astros All-Star, Joe Niekro, while raising Help The Joe Niekro Foundation as we promote JR Richard funds to support the tragic condition that ended Ron Robinson his life suddenly in October 2006. Because of her Brain Aneurysm Awareness Day at Target Nolan Ryan father’s love for the Houston Astros and the city Field. Join Natalie Niekro and former Minnesota Joe Sambito of Houston, The Joe Niekro Foundation hosts this Twins players, Dan Gladden, Tony Oliva and Tim Mike Scott Laudner as we pay tribute to Joe Niekro and the Billy Smith event to benefit brain aneurysm research, treat- Lee Smith ment and education in the greater Houston com- importance of brain aneurysm research, treatment Ozzie Smith munity. We invite you to join us for an unforget- and education. From 10-10:45A, we will be hosting Tal Smith table black-tie evening including silent auction a special autograph signing session and for a mini- Dave Stewart reception, formal dinner, Live auction and the mum $25 donation, you will receive a Wanna Get Bobby Tolan Lucky? shirt autographed by these former Twins Bill Virdon opportunity to mingle with some of baseball’s Alums. A portion of the evening's proceeds will Jon Warden greatest legends. Carl Warwick Please support our efforts to raise the awareness benefit The Mayo Clinic in Rochester. Don't miss Glenn Wilson of this devastating condition and advance seminal August 21st!!! We will see you on the field. Click Gary Woods research, while we celebrate the life of Joe here for more info. Jimmy Wynn Niekro, a truly remarkable citizen, pitcher and Tuesday, September 13 - Minute Maid Park - NFL Astros player. We would be honored to have you Houston, TX Mike Barber join our efforts. Please contact Natalie Niekro at Gregg Bingham 602-318-1013 or click here for ticket/table infor- Join us as we honor Houston Astro great, Joe Dave Casper mation. We look forward to welcoming you at Niekro for Brain Aneurysm Awareness Night. Nata- Doug Dawson Ted Hendricks Minute Maid Park on April 14th, 2012. lie Niekro will be joined by former Astros All-Stars, J.D. Hill Larry Dierker, Phil Garner and Art Howe for the pre- Robert Hubble game ceremony and special events throughout the Syd Justin Derek Kennard game. Larry, Phil and Art will be available for auto- Greg Koch graphs at the Astros Community Booth for the first Lynn Larson three innings of the game, in exchange for a $25 Jim O’Brien Dan Pastorini donation to the foundation. Your donation will Ron Pritchard include a Wanna Get Lucky? shirt and autographs Art Still Spencer Tillman by these three Astro notables. We will see you on Vernon Wells, Jr. the 13th! Click here for more info. Natalie and Phil Niekro at The Knuckle Ball VIP Reception NBA Click here to view the Wanna Get Lucky? Public Service John Egan Click here to view more pictures Announcement Elvin Hayes Aaron James Kevin Loder It is estimated that 6 million people are living with an unruptured aneurysm and every 8 minutes an Isaac Stallworth aneurysm ruptures. Find out if you’re at risk and GET SCANNED TODAY. Support our early detection cam- Robert Reid paign and get your Wanna Get Lucky? shirt now! The life you save could just be your own! August 2011 Page 3 Don’t Miss The Joe Niekro Foundation Golf-A-Thon… Putting FORE a Purpose The 1st Annual Joe Niekro Foundation Golf-A-Thon is under way. Join The Joe Niekro Foundation and Kingwood Medical Center on September 16th as we present a golf tournament like non-other. Participants can tee-it-up for 18 or 36 holes, all while raising pledges for the holes they compete from donations secured prior to their play. With Joe Niekro's jersey being #36, we encourage all to pay tribute to Joe and sign up for a full day of two rounds of 18. Avid, as well as the novice golfers, will find this day one filled with fun, excitement and lots of laughs. Kingwood Country Club will be home to our Golf-A-Thon so grab your clubs and come join the fun as we compete for pledges on the links. The following prizes will be awarded for players securing the below amounts: $2500-$4999 YOUR CHOICE - Bushnell Golf Laser OR Nintendo Wii $5000-$7499 YOUR CHOICE - Ping G15 Driver OR Acer Laptop Computer $7500-$9999 YOUR CHOICE - 37” LCD/HDTV OR Apple Ipad Prizes will also be awarded to team with the most amount in pledges and the overall individual raising the most in pledges. Click here to download the registration brochure and get signed up today! Check out Ways To Support The Joe Niekro Foundation Phoenix Support Group Goes Behind the Earn money for The Joe Niekro Foundation simply by using the igive.com web browser Scenes of an Aneurysm Clipping Surgery for your internet searches Those who attended the July 20th Phoenix Use the igive.com shop- Support Group meeting had the opportunity ping portal for your online to witness a brain aneurysm surgery first purchases and the hand.