Sammy Ellis
Encyclopedia
Samuel Joseph Ellis is a former Major League Baseball
pitcher
. Born in Youngstown, Ohio
, his career began before the 1961 season, when he was signed by the Cincinnati Reds
as an amateur free agent after playing college baseball at Mississippi State University
.
, pitched 52 games, and threw fewer walks in those 52 games (28) than he did in 1962 in 8 games (29). Ellis had an even stronger season in 1965, making his only all-star appearance. He won 22 games, including 15 complete games and 2 shutouts, with an ERA of 3.79. The 1966 season was disappointing for Ellis. His walk total was down, but he finished the season with a 12-19 record, and led the league in home runs allowed, with a high ERA of 5.29 He remained part of the starting pitching rotation in 1967, and brought his ERA back down under 4.00.
After the 1967 season, on November 29, 1967, Ellis was traded to the California Angels
for pitchers Bill Kelso
and Jorge Rubio. Sammy played in California for one season, where his role was mixed. He started 24 games, but also worked some games in relief and notched 2 saves. On January 20, 1969, Ellis was traded to the Chicago White Sox
for right fielder
Bill Voss and minor leaguer Andy Rubilotta. Sammy struggled during the time he was with the White Sox, and he was traded again in June, this time to the Cleveland Indians
for pitcher
Jack Hamilton. However, he was sent to the minors, never playing game for the Indians, and was unable to make it back to the majors.
After retiring, Ellis was a Major League pitching coach
for a dozen seasons, with the New York Yankees
(1982–84; 1986), Chicago White Sox
(1989-91), Chicago Cubs
(1992), Seattle Mariners
(1993–94), Boston Red Sox
(1996) and Baltimore Orioles
(2000). In between those assignments, he was a roving minor league coach and instructor for several organizations.
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
. Born in Youngstown, Ohio
Youngstown, Ohio
Youngstown is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Mahoning County; it also extends into Trumbull County. The municipality is situated on the Mahoning River, approximately southeast of Cleveland and northwest of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania...
, his career began before the 1961 season, when he was signed by the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
as an amateur free agent after playing college baseball at Mississippi State University
Mississippi State University
The Mississippi State University of Agriculture and Applied Science commonly known as Mississippi State University is a land-grant university located in Oktibbeha County, Mississippi, United States, partially in the town of Starkville and partially in an unincorporated area...
.
Biography
Ellis made his major league debut at the start of the 1962 season. His first appearance was on April 14, 1962, where he also obtained his first loss. His first victory came 10 days later on April 24, when he walked 11 batters but only allowed one hit. After spending part of the 1962 and all of the 1963 season in the minors, Ellis rejoined the major league club in 1964 as a reliever. He finished the season with a 10-3 record, a 2.57 ERAEarned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
, pitched 52 games, and threw fewer walks in those 52 games (28) than he did in 1962 in 8 games (29). Ellis had an even stronger season in 1965, making his only all-star appearance. He won 22 games, including 15 complete games and 2 shutouts, with an ERA of 3.79. The 1966 season was disappointing for Ellis. His walk total was down, but he finished the season with a 12-19 record, and led the league in home runs allowed, with a high ERA of 5.29 He remained part of the starting pitching rotation in 1967, and brought his ERA back down under 4.00.
After the 1967 season, on November 29, 1967, Ellis was traded to the California Angels
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
for pitchers Bill Kelso
Bill Kelso
William Eugene Kelso was an American professional baseball player who played four seasons for the Los Angeles/California Angels and Cincinnati Reds of Major League Baseball....
and Jorge Rubio. Sammy played in California for one season, where his role was mixed. He started 24 games, but also worked some games in relief and notched 2 saves. On January 20, 1969, Ellis was traded to the Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
for right fielder
Right fielder
A right fielder, abbreviated RF, is the outfielder in baseball or softball who plays defense in right field. Right field is the area of the outfield to the right of a person standing at home plate and facing towards the pitcher's mound...
Bill Voss and minor leaguer Andy Rubilotta. Sammy struggled during the time he was with the White Sox, and he was traded again in June, this time to the 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...
for pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
Jack Hamilton. However, he was sent to the minors, never playing game for the Indians, and was unable to make it back to the majors.
After retiring, Ellis was a Major League pitching coach
Coach (baseball)
In baseball, a number of coaches assist in the smooth functioning of a team. They are assistants to the manager, or head coach, who determines the lineup and decides how to substitute players during the game...
for a dozen seasons, with the New York Yankees
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...
(1982–84; 1986), Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
(1989-91), Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
(1992), Seattle Mariners
Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July...
(1993–94), Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
(1996) and Baltimore Orioles
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
(2000). In between those assignments, he was a roving minor league coach and instructor for several organizations.