Lance Niekro

Infobox MLB player


width = 150
name=Lance Niekro
position=First baseman
team=Free Agent
number=--
bats=Right
throws=Right
birthdate=birth date and age|1979|1|28
debutdate=September 5
debutyear=2003
debutteam=San Francisco Giants
statyear=2007
stat1label=Batting average
stat1value=.246
stat2label=Home runs
stat2value=17
stat3label=Runs batted in
stat3value=79
teams=
*San Francisco Giants (by|2003, by|2005-by|2007)

Lance Joseph Niekro (born January 28, 1979 in Winter Haven, Florida) 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 by|2000 amateur 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 by|2007.

Niekro first reached the Major Leagues in by|2003, but only had five at bats. He saw more substantial playing time in by|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 by|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, by|2008, the Houston Astros signed Niekro to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training. He was released on May 2, 2008.

ee also

*List of second generation MLB players

External links

* [http://www.rotowire.com/baseball/player.htm?ID=7125 Lance Niekro Stats at RotoWire.com]