Lance Niekro Information & Lance Niekro Links at HealthHaven.com

**Lance Niekro**
Lance Niekro
;
	Atlanta Braves — No. --
	Pitcher
	Born: January 28, 1979 (age 30); Winter Haven, Florida
Bats: Right	Throws: Right
MLB debut
	September 5, 2003 for the San Francisco Giants
Career statistics; (through 2008 season)
Batting average	.246
Home runs	17
Runs batted in	79
Teams
	San Francisco Giants (2003, 2005-2007);

Lance Joseph Niekro (born January 28, 1979) is a Major League Baseball player, nephew of Hall of Famer Phil Niekro, and son of former player Joe Niekro. Niekro attended Florida Southern College, and was drafted by the San Francisco Giants in the second round of the 2000 Major League Baseball Draft.

Niekro began his professional career as a third baseman, but moved to first base in the minor leagues due to injury. Like his father and uncle, Niekro can throw a knuckleball, and was first allowed to pitch professionally for the Fresno Grizzlies in August 2007. Starting in 2009, he will convert full-time to pitching.

Niekro first reached the major leagues in 2003, but only had five at-bats. He saw more substantial playing time in 2005, when he split time with J. T. Snow at first base and played in 113 games, finishing the season with a .252 batting average, 12 home runs, and 46 RBI in 278 at-bats.

Following the 2005 season, Snow and the Giants parted ways. As a result, Niekro was given his shot as the everyday first baseman, but was sent back down to the minors. During the 2006 season, his replacements were Mark Sweeney, Travis Ishikawa, Chad Santos, and Shea Hillenbrand.

On May 4, 2007, the Giants designated Niekro for assignment and recalled Scott Munter from Triple-A Fresno. He was later optioned to Fresno when no other team claimed him. He became a free agent after the season.

On January 10, 2008, the Houston Astros signed Niekro to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training. He was released on May 2, 2008 and retired, getting a job with a telecommunications company.^[1]

On December 18, 2008, Niekro decided to make a comeback as a knuckleball pitcher and was signed by the Atlanta Braves to a minor league contract.^[1]^[2]