Opposing his younger brother, Joe, Phil Niekro goes the distance to get the victory when the Braves beat the Cubs at Atlanta Stadium, 8-3. Joining Jesse and Virgil Barnes, who face one another five times as starters in the 1920’s, the Niekros become the second pair of siblings to start in the same major league game.

Opposing his younger brother, Joe, Phil Niekro goes the distance to get the victory when the Braves beat the Cubs at Atlanta Stadium, 8-3. Joining Jesse and Virgil Barnes, who face one another five times as starters in the 1920’s, the Niekros become the second pair of siblings to start in the same major league game.

Ernie Banks slams two 2-run homers to back rookie Joe Niekro’s 3-hitter, and the Cubs win 8 – 0 over the Astros to sweep. Bill Hands hurls a 5-hitter in the opener to win, 4 – 1. Banks’ first blast breaks up a pitching duel with Bo Belinsky and his second caps a 5-run 7th.

On June 25, 1967 Ernie Banks slams two 2-run homers to back rookie Joe Niekro’s 3-hitter, and the Cubs win 8 – 0 over the Astros to sweep. Bill Hands hurls a 5-hitter in the opener to win, 4 – 1. Banks’ first blast breaks up a pitching duel with Bo Belinsky and his second caps a 5-run 7th.   Source Baseball Reference June 25

Joe Niekro is born in Martin’s Ferry, OH.
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Joe Niekro is born in Martin’s Ferry, OH.

1944 – Joe Niekro is born in Martin’s Ferry, OH. Much of his career is spent in the shadow of his Hall-of-Fame older brother but the younger sibling leaves Houston as the winningest pitcher in franchise history (144). The two combine to win 539 major league games in their careers, most of any brother duo in baseball history.

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White Sox veteran hurlers Sad Sam Jones age 41 and Red Faber age 44 are the starting pitchers in a doubleheader with the A’s at Philadelphia’s Shibe Park

White Sox veteran hurlers Sad Sam Jones (41) and Red Faber (44) are the starting pitchers in a doubleheader split with the A’s at Philadelphia’s Shibe Park. It will be another 53 seasons before another pair of 40+ year-old teammates (Yankees Tommy John and Joe Niekro) start both ends of a twin bill.