Dock Ellis was a pretty great pitcher in the late 60′s and throughout the 70′s. He started in an All-Star Game, won a World Series ring, had 19 and 17 win seasons, and ended his career with a 3.46 E.R.A. At the same time, he was a bit of a wacko. He purposely beaned Reggie Jackson in the face as retaliation for a monster home run he hit at the All-Star Game; attempted to hit every batter in a game against the Reds (he managed to hit 3 before getting removed by his own manager); and it has been published that he threw a no-hitter while he was high on Lysergic Acid Diethylamide, better known as L.S.D.
Dock is now drug-free but can you imagine what other insane stories would have come out if more people would speak up like Jose Canseco, Dock Ellis, Ken Caminiti, and Jim Bouton?
I like the graphic … the effect reminds me of the Pinnacle “Museum Collection” cards from the mid 90s.
This is my first comment on your blog, but I have been reading it every day for a few weeks now. I have recently gotten back into the hobby after a 14-year break, and your blog is definitely one of the more entertaining baseball card blogs out there. Thanks, Mario!
Thanks Dave! Glad you like the site.
Man, that card is freaking me out!!!
I’m sure it would be next to impossible to pick up the ball as a hitter with all that going on behind the good Doc. …. or something like that!
Dock Ellis has passed away at 63 years of age.