John Ellis (baseball)
Encyclopedia
John Charles Ellis is a former professional baseball player who played first base and catcher in the Major Leagues from 1969-81. He played for the New York Yankees
, Cleveland Indians
, and Texas Rangers
.
He was a standout football and baseball player at New London High School. After hitting .333 at Triple A, the Yankees called him up in 1969.
In 1971 he was named a Topps All-Star Rookie. After being traded for Graig Nettles
, he became the first DH
in Cleveland Indians history in 1973. Ellis had his best season in 1974, when he hit .285 (22nd in the AL), had a slugging percentage of .421 (23rd in the AL), 23 doubles (25th in AL), and 64 RBIs in only 128 games. That year, Ellis caught Dick Bosman
's no-hitter
on July 19. While with the Indians, he was given the nickname "Moose" by Red Sox announcer Ken Coleman
.
In the mid-1970s, Ellis joined the Spalding
Sporting Goods Advisory Staff and had a signature catcher's mitt sold in retail stores. In 1987 he founded the Connecticut Sports Foundation Against Cancer. The Foundation has an annual dinner at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, CT each year. Recent attendees have included Roger Clemens
and Don Mattingly
.
His son, John J. Ellis, was a baseball standout and played at the University of Maine
- Orono and in the Texas Rangers system for three seasons. His son also competed for the Eastern Tides of the New England Collegiate Baseball League
in 1994.
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
, Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
, and Texas Rangers
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
.
He was a standout football and baseball player at New London High School. After hitting .333 at Triple A, the Yankees called him up in 1969.
In 1971 he was named a Topps All-Star Rookie. After being traded for Graig Nettles
Graig Nettles
Graig Nettles , nicknamed "Puff", is a former Major League Baseball third baseman. During a 22-year baseball career, he played for the Minnesota Twins , Cleveland Indians , New York Yankees , San Diego Padres , Atlanta Braves and Montreal Expos .Nettles was one of the best...
, he became the first DH
Designated hitter
In baseball, the designated hitter rule is the common name for Major League Baseball Rule 6.10, an official position adopted by the American League in 1973 that allows teams to designate a player, known as the designated hitter , to bat in place of the pitcher each time he would otherwise come to...
in Cleveland Indians history in 1973. Ellis had his best season in 1974, when he hit .285 (22nd in the AL), had a slugging percentage of .421 (23rd in the AL), 23 doubles (25th in AL), and 64 RBIs in only 128 games. That year, Ellis caught Dick Bosman
Dick Bosman
Richard Allen Bosman is an American former Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. He pitched for the Washington Senators , Texas Rangers , Cleveland Indians and Oakland Athletics . Bosman started the final game for the expansion Senators and the first game for the Texas Rangers...
's no-hitter
No-hitter
A no-hitter is a baseball game in which one team has no hits. In Major League Baseball, the team must be without hits during the entire game, and the game must be at least nine innings. A pitcher who prevents the opposing team from achieving a hit is said to have "thrown a no-hitter"...
on July 19. While with the Indians, he was given the nickname "Moose" by Red Sox announcer Ken Coleman
Ken Coleman
Kenneth R. Coleman was an American radio and television sportscaster for 38 years . He was born in Quincy, Massachusetts....
.
In the mid-1970s, Ellis joined the Spalding
Spalding (sports equipment)
Spalding is a sporting goods company founded by Albert Spalding in Chicago, Illinois, in 1876 and now headquartered in Bowling Green, Kentucky. The company specializes in the production of balls for many sports, but is most-known for its basketballs...
Sporting Goods Advisory Staff and had a signature catcher's mitt sold in retail stores. In 1987 he founded the Connecticut Sports Foundation Against Cancer. The Foundation has an annual dinner at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, CT each year. Recent attendees have included Roger Clemens
Roger Clemens
William Roger Clemens , nicknamed "Rocket", is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who broke into the league with the Boston Red Sox, whose pitching staff he would help anchor for 12 years. Clemens won seven Cy Young Awards, more than any other pitcher. He played for four different teams over...
and Don Mattingly
Don Mattingly
Donald Arthur "Don" Mattingly is a former Major League Baseball first baseman and current manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Nicknamed "The Hit Man" and "Donnie Baseball", he played his entire 14-year baseball career for the New York Yankees...
.
His son, John J. Ellis, was a baseball standout and played at the University of Maine
University of Maine
The University of Maine is a public research university located in Orono, Maine, United States. The university was established in 1865 as a land grant college and is referred to as the flagship university of the University of Maine System...
- Orono and in the Texas Rangers system for three seasons. His son also competed for the Eastern Tides of the New England Collegiate Baseball League
New England Collegiate Baseball League
The New England Collegiate Baseball League is a 12-team collegiate summer baseball league founded in 1993 and sanctioned by the NCAA and Major League Baseball. Each NECBL team plays an eight-week, 42-game schedule during June and July, with a playoff in early August...
in 1994.