Known as the “Muhammad Ali of baseball” and “The Nut” according to family members, California-born Dock Ellis is best remember for recording a no-hitter on June 12, 1970…allegedly on acid.
In an NPR interview, Ellis described the events leading up to a match-up between the Pittsburgh Pirates and San Diego Padres stating he swallowed one pill of LSD at the airport.
On Thursday and Friday — following the single dosage — Ellis claimed he took 2-3 pills each day.
And on the day of consuming a handful of LSD pills, Ellis approached the mound and finished his trip by pitching a complete game, allowing eight walks and retiring six.
With a 1971 World Series tucked under his waistline, Dock Ellis finalized his MLB career W-L record at 138-119.
While playing in pinstripes in 1976 (17-8, 211.2 IP, 3.18 ERA), Ellis reached the All-Star game. The following season saw Ellis flop teams three times (NYY, OAK, TEX).
While in Oakland in 1977, Ellis surrendered an ERA over nine and a W-L record of 1-5.
On a day-to-day basis, Ellis admitted a pre-game routine of 15-17 pills. In addition to LSD, Ellis was also under the influence of alcohol, crank, marijuana, amphetamines, mescaline, cocaine and heroin.
Feeding his body a surplus of illicit substances, Ellis passed away in 2008 due to cirrohsis of the liver.
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