Dock Ellis was a major league pitched in the late 1960s and 1970s. He lasted 12 years in the big show and even pitched a no-hitter in 1970. While high. On LSD. While completely ridiculous and cool, that does not get him the person of the week.
Ellis is an example of one of my favorite type of athletes. One of a dying (dead/extinct?) breed. He was outspoken on issues of injustice, especially race. As the ESPN article states:
Off the field, Ellis spoke freely about racial issues, once telling reporters that he wouldn't start against Oakland's Vida Blue in the All-Star Game because Major League Baseball would never start "two soul brothers'' against each other.
"Dock Ellis was my first client in baseball, and he gave me as much joy as anybody outside of my family," Reich said. "He was so unique. He was viewed by some people as an outlaw, but he was far from that. He was so ahead of his time. He was so intuitive and smart and talented and independent. And he wasn't about to roll over for the incredible prejudices that existed at the time."He was a very special person and he had an absolute army of fans and friends. He was at the cutting edge of so many issues, and he never backed down. I was proud to be his friend and stand with him."
I always appreciate colorful characters and Dock Ellis was definitely a colorful character. More than that, he was outspoken when he felt he was being wronged, and was very talented. You will be missed sir.
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