Who is the man: Dock Ellis, who died in 2008, was entering his fourth year in the major leagues when this card hit the streets. He was about to embark on the best season of his career, going 19-9 and finishing fourth in the N.L. Cy Young Award voting in 1971.
Can ya dig it: Ellis started the All-Star Game for the National League in 1971. He took the loss, allowing four runs in three innings. He allowed two home runs, too, including Reggie Jackson's legendary monster shot that cleared the roof in old Tiger Stadium.
Right on: Ellis won 125 games in his first 10 seasons. He finished his career with 158 through 12 seasons.
You see this cat Ellis is a bad mother: Ellis beaned Reggie Jackson in the face reportedly in retaliation for Jackson's All-Star home run. This was in 1976 when Ellis was pitching for the Yankees and Jackson hitting for the Orioles.
Shut your mouth: Ellis famously claimed he was on LSD when he no-hit the Padres in 1970. He also said "our whole team (in 1973) was on pills. I've taken 15 at one time."
No one understands him but his woman: Ellis was fined by the Pirates for wearing curlers in his hair.
(A word about the back): Ellis' height is listed as 6-3 1/2. You've made the major leagues already, Dock. You can put away the fraction.
He beaned Jackson 5 years after the homer? That's holding a grudge.
ReplyDeleteOne of my all-time favorites. I didn't know that he beaned Jackson in '76 for the All-Star Game HR. Quite the retaliation!
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