Lance Niekro

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**Lance Niekro**

Free Agent — No. --
First baseman
Born: January 28, 1979 (1979-01-28) (age 29)
Bats: Right	Throws: Right
Major League Baseball debut
September 5, 2003 for the San Francisco Giants
Selected MLB statistics (through 2007)
Batting average	.246
Home runs	17
Runs batted in	79
Teams
San Francisco Giants (2003, 2005-2007)

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 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 2007.

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.