Sammy Ellis

Samuel Joseph Ellis (born February 11, 1941) 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.^[1] At Mississippi State, he lettered one year (1961) with a pitching record of 12–7, leading the team in strikeouts (73) and innings pitched (57²⁄₃). He was named to MSU's athletics hall of fame in 2012.^[2]

Professional career

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.^[1] His first victory came 10 days later on April 24, when he walked 11 batters but only allowed one hit.^[3] 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 ERA, pitched 52 games, and threw fewer walks in those 52 games (28) than he did in 1962 in 8 games (29).^[1]

Ellis had an even stronger season in 1965, making his only all-star appearance. He won 22 games, including 15 complete games and two shutouts, with an ERA of 3.79.^[1] 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^[1] 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.^[4] He played in California for one season, where his role was mixed. He started 24 games, but also worked some games in relief and notched two saves.^[1] On January 20, 1969, Ellis was traded to the Chicago White Sox for right fielder Bill Voss and minor leaguer Andy Rubilotta.^[5] 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.^[6] However, he was sent to the minors, never playing game for the Indians, and he 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.

References

External links

• Career statistics and player information from MLB, or Baseball-Reference, or Baseball-Reference (Minors) or Baseball Almanac or Retrosheet or Venezuelan Professional Baseball League