Editing Dock Ellis (section)

===Pittsburgh Pirates===
Ellis made his MLB debut in June 1968, beginning as a relief pitcher,<ref>{{cite news | url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=T6IgAAAAIBAJ&pg=1271,7474294&dq=dock-ellis | title=Pirates Outlast Cards, 3-2; Triple By Wills Key Blow | work=The Lewiston Daily Sun | date=June 26, 1968 | agency=Associated Press | access-date=July 26, 2012 | page=15}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=nZ1RAAAAIBAJ&pg=6986,969331&dq=dock-ellis | title=Mets, Bucs Split Pair, 3-2 and 4-3: New Yorkers End Seven-Game Win Skein in Second | work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette | date=July 5, 1968 | access-date=July 26, 2012 | author=Feeney, Charley | page=15}}</ref> but the Pirates moved Ellis into the [[starting rotation]] later that season and he started 10 games.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Dock Ellis|url=https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/E/Pellid101.htm|access-date=2020-06-11|website=www.retrosheet.org}}</ref> Ellis pitched his first [[complete game]] in September.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=X00yAAAAIBAJ&pg=3670,3349267&dq=dock-ellis | title=Ellis Pitches 1st Complete Contest | work=Beaver County Times | date=September 17, 1968 | agency=United Press International | access-date=July 26, 2012 | page=B-2}}</ref> He had a 6–5 win–loss record with a 2.51 ERA with the Pirates in 1968.<ref name="high times"/> In 1969, Ellis made the team's starting rotation for [[Opening Day]].<ref>{{cite news | url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=HpxRAAAAIBAJ&pg=3144,2246595&dq=dock-ellis | title=Larry Talks of Good Points | work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette | date=March 14, 1969 | access-date=July 26, 2012 | last=Abrams | first=Al | page=20}}</ref> The struggles of [[Steve Blass]] kept Ellis in the starting rotation, as Blass was moved to the bullpen.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=FW4lAAAAIBAJ&pg=6830,2228416&dq=dock-ellis | title=Blass Taken From Rotation | work=Beaver County Times | date=May 9, 1969 | agency=United Press International | access-date=September 17, 2012 | page=B-2}}</ref>

====June 12, 1970 no-hitter====
On June 12, 1970, Ellis [[no-hitter|no-hit]] the [[San Diego Padres]], 2–0, in the first game of a [[Doubleheader (baseball)|two-game doubleheader]] at [[SDCCU Stadium|San Diego Stadium]], while reportedly under the influence of [[Lysergic acid diethylamide|LSD]].<ref name=ergsald>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=dKpVAAAAIBAJ&pg=6446%2C3036007 |work=Eugene Register-Guard |location=(Oregon) |agency=Associated Press |last=Salading|first=Tom |title=Pirates' Dock Ellis gets no-hitter|date=June 13, 1970 |page=1B}}</ref> After the Pirates had flown to San Diego on Thursday, June 11, Ellis visited a friend in Los Angeles and used LSD "two or three times". Thinking it was still Thursday, he took a hit of LSD on Friday at noon, and his friend's girlfriend reminded him at 2:00&nbsp;p.m. that he was scheduled to pitch that night. Ellis flew from Los Angeles to San Diego at 3:00&nbsp;p.m. and arrived at the stadium at 4:30&nbsp;p.m.; the game started at 6:05&nbsp;p.m.<ref name=erglsd84/><ref name="couldn't pitch without pills"/>

Ellis said that he threw the no-hitter despite being unable to feel the ball or see the batter or catcher clearly.<ref>{{YouTube|_vUhSYLRw14|No Mas Presents: Dock Ellis & The LSD No-No by James Blagden}}</ref> He also said that his catcher [[Jerry May (baseball)|Jerry May]] wore reflective tape on his fingers, which helped Ellis see May's signals. Ellis walked eight batters and struck out six, and he was aided by excellent fielding plays by second baseman [[Bill Mazeroski]] and centerfielder [[Matty Alou]].<ref>{{cite news | title=Roundup: Ellis of Pirates Stops Padres on No-Hitter | work=The New York Times | date=June 12, 1970 | author=Goldaper, Sam}}</ref>

As Ellis recounted:

{{blockquote|I can only remember bits and pieces of the game. I was psyched. I had a feeling of euphoria. I was zeroed in on the [catcher's] glove, but I didn't hit the glove too much. I remember hitting a couple of batters, and the bases were loaded two or three times.<ref>{{cite news|agency=Associated Press|title=Ellis Says He Used LSD Before Hurling '70 No-Hitter|url=http://www.mediafire.com/view/ypr5me0klo27ued |access-date=6 June 2020|newspaper=St. Petersburg Times|date=8 April 1984}}</ref> The ball was small sometimes, the ball was large sometimes, sometimes I saw the catcher, sometimes I didn't. Sometimes, I tried to stare the hitter down and throw while I was looking at him. I chewed my gum until it turned to powder. They say I had about three to four fielding chances. I remember diving out of the way of a ball I thought was a line drive. I jumped, but the ball wasn't hit hard and never reached me.<ref>{{cite news|last=Barnes|first=Mike (UPI)|title=Dock Ellis: The Muhammad Ali of Baseball; Pitched Most Days High On 'Uppers'|url=http://www.mediafire.com/view/hqns56bb4ah3usw |access-date=6 June 2020|newspaper=The Ottawa Citizen|date=21 June 1989}}</ref>}}

Ellis reported that he never used LSD during the season again, though he continued to use amphetamines.<ref name="couldn't pitch without pills"/> After the story was made public, Ellis said that he regretted taking LSD that day because it "robbed him of his greatest professional memory".<ref name=NYPost2014>{{cite news|last=Getlen|first=Larry|title=How Dock Ellis dropped acid and threw a no-hitter|url=https://nypost.com/2014/08/31/pitcher-dock-ellis-dropped-acid-then-threw-a-no-hitter |access-date=26 February 2013|newspaper=New York Post|date=31 August 2014}}</ref>

====Assessments of LSD claim====
Bob Smizik of the ''[[Pittsburgh Press]]'', who first broke the story in 1984, believes Ellis' version of events that day, although Smizik did not witness the game in person. [[Bill Christine]], also of the ''Pittsburgh Press'', does not believe Ellis' claim and was at the game that day. Christine was a beat reporter who "practically lived with the team that year". Christine had said that he did not notice anything unusual and that if Ellis had reported to the stadium only 90 minutes before his scheduled start, reporters would have been told. John Mehno, a reporter who had "extensive interactions" with Ellis over his career, was skeptical about many stories told by Ellis, including the LSD no-hitter. Mehno said that he has not found a teammate who would corroborate the story.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://deadspin.com/5819880/the-long-strange-trip-of-the-dock-ellis-lsd-no+hitter-story |title=The Long, Strange Trip Of The Dock Ellis LSD No-Hitter Story |publisher=Deadspin |date=7 November 2011 |author=Daulerio, A.J. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140203040645/http://deadspin.com/5819880/the-long-strange-trip-of-the-dock-ellis-lsd-no+hitter-story |archive-date=3 February 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref> However, Ellis' close friend [[Scipio Spinks]], a pitcher for the [[Houston Astros]], has said that he has no doubt that Ellis was telling the truth about his LSD use, as he was very familiar with Ellis' drug habits, including the use of LSD.<ref name=NYPost2014 />

====The no-hitter in pop culture====
Ellis collaborated with future [[United States Poet Laureate]] [[Donald Hall]] on a book, ''Dock Ellis in the Country of Baseball'', published in 1976. The first edition of the book reported that Ellis had been drinking vodka on the day of his no-hitter. Hall updated the 1989 edition to reveal the LSD use.<ref>Mikkelson, David. (June 13, 2013). [http://www.snopes.com/sports/baseball/ellis.asp "Dock Ellis Pitched a No-Hitter on LSD?,"] Snopes. Retrieved on March 5, 2017.</ref><ref name=Citron>Citron, Rodger. (December 22, 2008). [http://historynewsnetwork.org/article/58622 "Another Reason for Remembering Dock Ellis,"] History News Network. Retrieved on March 5, 2017.</ref> Singer-songwriter [[Barbara Manning]] paid tribute to Ellis and his no-hitter in the psychedelic pop song "Dock Ellis",<ref>Sobsey, Adam. (October 29, 2014). [https://www.theparisreview.org/blog/2014/10/29/future-eligibles/ "Future Eligibles,"] ''The Paris Review''. Retrieved on March 4, 2017.</ref> as did folk singer [[Todd Snider]] with "America's Favorite Pastime" on his 2009 album ''The Excitement Plan''. "Dock Ellis" is also a song by beatmaker Blazo and hip-hop duo [[The 49ers]] that talks about "musical addiction". A 2009 animated short film by James Blagden about the game, ''Dock Ellis and the LSD No-No'', features narration in Ellis' own voice, taken from a 2008 NPR interview.<ref name="nyt">Witz, Billy. (September 4, 2010). [https://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/05/sports/baseball/05nohitter.html "For Ellis, a Long, Strange Trip to a No-Hitter,"] ''The New York Times''. Retrieved on March 4, 2017.</ref><ref>Vanderbilt, Mike. (June 12, 2015). [http://www.avclub.com/article/45-years-ago-today-dock-ellis-pitched-no-hitter-wh-220797 "45 years ago today, Dock Ellis pitched a no-hitter while high on LSD,"] ''The A.V. Club''. Retrieved on March 4, 2017.</ref> The no-hitter is featured in the documentary about Ellis' life, ''[[No No: A Dockumentary]]'' (2014), directed by Jeffrey Radice.<ref>Gold, Daniel M. (September 4, 2014). [https://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/05/movies/no-no-a-dockumentary-looks-at-dock-ellis.html "A Lightning Rod in a Game With Bats: 'No No: A Dockumentary' Looks at Dock Ellis,"] ''The New York Times''. Retrieved on March 4, 2017.</ref> [[Robin Williams]] riffed on Ellis and his no-hitter as part of a segment on performance-enhancing drugs in sports, during his 2009 [[HBO]] special ''Weapons of Self-Destruction''. In [[Hometown Hero (Poker Face)|a season 2 episode]] of [[Poker Face (TV series)|Poker Face]], a player laces another's gum with LSD in an attempt at sabotage, but inadvertently "Dock Ellis-ed him."<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-05-22 |title=Poker Face — Hometown Hero — Season 2, Episode 5 Spoiler Recap and Review |url=https://fandomwire.com/poker-face-hometown-hero-season-2-episode-5-spoiler-recap-and-review/ |access-date=2025-05-30 |website=fandomwire.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

====1970–1971====
Ellis struggled for the remainder of the 1970 season, and finished the year with a 13–10 win–loss record as he experienced elbow and shoulder pain. However, he finished second in the NL with four [[shutout]]s and seventh with a 3.21 ERA.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1970-pitching-leaders.shtml | title=1970 National League Pitching Leaders | publisher=Baseball-Reference.com | date=2012-07-10 | access-date=July 14, 2012}}</ref> The Pirates won the [[National League East|National League (NL) East]] division championship.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=apsyAAAAIBAJ&pg=907,4504356&dq=dock-ellis | title=No-pitch Pirates win title with pitching | work=The Miami News | date=September 28, 1970 | agency=Associated Press | access-date=July 26, 2012 | page=7C}}</ref> Ellis started Game 1 of the [[1970 National League Championship Series]] (NLCS) to the [[1970 Cincinnati Reds|Cincinnati Reds]].<ref>{{cite news | url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=WahRAAAAIBAJ&pg=7065,581685&dq=dock-ellis | title=Ellis, Nolan Mound Foes In Opener | work=The Milwaukee Sentinel | date=October 3, 1970 | agency=Associated Press | access-date=July 26, 2012 | pages=2–3}}</ref> Ellis took the loss, and the Pirates lost the series to the Reds in three games.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/1970_NLCS.shtml |title=1970 League Championship Series&nbsp;— Cincinnati Reds over Pittsburgh Pirates (3-0) |publisher=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=July 14, 2012}}</ref>

Ellis worked on his [[changeup]] for the {{mlby|1971}} season.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=LmobAAAAIBAJ&pg=7481,1048179&dq=dock-ellis | title=Dock Ellis Accepts Help From Coach | work=The Pittsburgh Press | date=March 4, 1971 | access-date=July 26, 2012 | author=Christine, Bill | page=34}}</ref> He was rewarded by being named the Pirates' [[Opening Day]] starting pitcher; he defeated the [[Philadelphia Phillies]] by a score of 4–2.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=SH1QAAAAIBAJ&pg=7378,1242927&dq=dock-ellis+opening-day |newspaper=The Milwaukee Sentinel|title=Ellis Ace In Bucs' Win|agency=United Press International|page=2-2|date=April 7, 1971|access-date=July 26, 2012}}</ref> After a strong start to the 1971 season, posting a 13–3 win–loss record,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Tz9CAAAAIBAJ&pg=7270,103935&dq=dock-ellis|title=Dock Ellis Gets 13th Win, May Be First All-Star Choice|first=Joe|last=Carnicelli|newspaper=Middlesboro Daily News|agency=United Press International|page=2|date=July 2, 1971|access-date=July 26, 2012}}</ref> Ellis was named to appear in the [[1971 Major League Baseball All-Star Game]], held at [[Tiger Stadium (Detroit)|Tiger Stadium]] in [[Detroit]]. The AL selected [[Vida Blue]] of the [[Oakland Athletics]] as their starter, and Ellis publicly stated that National League All-Star Team manager [[Sparky Anderson]] would "never start two [[African American|brothers]] against each other".<ref name=nyt/><ref name="strike back"/> Anderson surprised Ellis by naming him the starting pitcher of the All-Star Game.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=dwMgAAAAIBAJ&pg=1283,1323627&dq=dock-ellis|title=Anderson Names Dock Ellis to Face Vida Blue in Major League All-Star Game: NL Pilot Disregards Buc Hurler's Blast|newspaper=The Lewiston Daily Sun|page=9|date=July 13, 1971|access-date=July 26, 2012}}</ref><ref name="speaks his mind">{{cite news | url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=AnkfAAAAIBAJ&pg=7217,5277749&dq=dock-ellis | title=Dock Ellis Simply Speaks His Mind | work=The Pittsburgh Press | date=May 14, 1972 | access-date=August 1, 2012 | author=Smizik, Bob | page=D-4}}</ref> Ellis was the losing pitcher in the game.<ref name="speaks his mind"/> During the game, [[Reggie Jackson]] hit a towering home run off of Ellis.<ref name="couldn't pitch without pills"/> The home run, estimated to have traveled {{convert|600|ft}}, tied a 1926 home run hit by [[Babe Ruth]] for the longest measured home run on record.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=gWtkAAAAIBAJ&pg=4692,4316292&dq=dock-ellis | title=Reggie's Wallop Tied The Babe's | work=The Calgary Herald | date=July 15, 1971 | agency=Associated Press | access-date=August 1, 2012 | page=17}}</ref> The next time the two opposed each other, Ellis [[Beanball|beaned]] Jackson in the face in retaliation for his earlier home run.<ref name="couldn't pitch without pills"/><ref name=nydn>{{cite news|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/2008/12/20/2008-12-20_from_nohitter_on_lsd_to_hair_curlers_to_.html|title=From no-hitter on LSD to hair curlers to feuds, Dock Ellis was free spirit|newspaper=New York Daily News|first=Bill|last=Madden|date=December 22, 2008|access-date=July 14, 2012}}</ref>

Ellis started Game 2 of the [[1971 NLCS]],<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=s7AiAAAAIBAJ&pg=1811,4687092&dq=dock-ellis|title=Murtaugh Maintaining His Cool|first=John A.|last=Gaudiosi|agency=United Press International|page=B-2|newspaper=Beaver County Times|date=September 30, 1971|access-date=August 1, 2012}}</ref> earning the victory over the [[San Francisco Giants]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=kBhHAAAAIBAJ&pg=5565,488795&dq=dock-ellis|title=Pittsburgh, Giants Each Own Win: Orioles Can Sweep AL Playoffs Today|first=Ed|last=Schuyler, Jr.|agency=Associated Press|page=8|newspaper=Warsaw Times-Union|date=October 5, 1971|access-date=August 1, 2012}}</ref> During the series, Ellis created a stir by complaining about the Pirates' lodgings,<ref>{{cite news | url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=V50bAAAAIBAJ&pg=7456,202797&dq=dock-ellis | title=Dock Ellis: The One Who Cried Wolf | work=The Pittsburgh Press | date=March 1, 1972 | access-date=August 1, 2012 | author=Christine, Bill | page=40}}</ref> complaining that the organization was "cheap".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ynguAAAAIBAJ&pg=6524,911578&dq=dock-ellis|title=Dock Ellis Labels Bucs 'Cheap'|page=16|agency=Associated Press|newspaper=Tri City Herald|date=October 5, 1971|access-date=August 1, 2012}}</ref> He changed hotels because he said the hotel rooms were too small.<ref name="couldn't pitch without pills"/> Ellis started Game 1 of the [[1971 World Series]] against the [[Baltimore Orioles]].<ref name=game11971ws>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=t4FBAAAAIBAJ&pg=6974,1653269&dq=dock-ellis|title=Dock Ellis' Elbow Clouds Pirates' Series Picture|page=2|first=Mike|last=Rathet|agency=Associated Press|newspaper=Harlan Daily Enterprise|date=October 8, 1971|access-date=August 1, 2012}}</ref> In a losing effort, he lasted only {{frac|2|1|3}} innings. He allowed four hits and four runs, including two home runs.<ref name=game11971ws /><ref name=worldseries>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=361QAAAAIBAJ&pg=1810,2408419&dq=dock-ellis|title=Pat Zachry vs. Dock Ellis in third game of Series|agency=United Press International|page=3C|newspaper=St. Petersburg Times|date=October 18, 1976|access-date=August 1, 2012}}</ref> Though Ellis denied being in pain before the game,<ref name=game11971ws/> he later acknowledged that elbow pain limited his performance,<ref name=game11971ws /> and wondered if his sickle cell trait could be related to this pain.<ref name="sickle cell"/> The Pirates defeated the Orioles in seven games to win the World Series.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/1971_WS.shtml |title=1971 World Series&nbsp;— Pittsburgh Pirates over Baltimore Orioles (4-3) |publisher=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=July 14, 2012}}</ref>

Ellis finished the season with a 19–9 win–loss record and a 3.06 ERA. He placed fourth in the [[Cy Young Award]] balloting.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1971/11/04/archives/cubs-jenkins-voted-cy-young-award.html|title=Cubs' Jenkins Voted Cy Young Award|first=Joseph|last=Durso|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=November 4, 1971|page=61|access-date=July 13, 2012}}</ref> His 19 wins were fifth best in the league, and his .679 [[winning percentage]] was fourth best.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1971-pitching-leaders.shtml |title=1971 National League Pitching Leaders |publisher=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=July 14, 2012}}</ref>

====Macing incident====
On May 5, 1972, Ellis, [[Willie Stargell]], and [[Rennie Stennett]] missed the team bus to [[Riverfront Stadium]]. A security guard asked the three for identification; Stargell and Stennett complied and were allowed in, but Ellis did not have identification with him. The guard said that Ellis did not identify himself, appeared drunk, and "made threatening gestures with a clenched fist." Ellis showed his [[World Series ring]] as evidence of his affiliation with the Pirates, but in response, the guard maced Ellis.<ref name="snopes"/> Ellis was arrested and charged with [[disorderly conduct]].<ref name="couldn't pitch without pills" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=May 25, 1972 |title=Ellis to file suit after mace incident with stadium guard |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rrEDAAAAMBAJ&lpg=PA1&hl=nl&pg=PA49#v=onepage&q&f=false |work=[[Jet Magazine]] |pages=49 |via=Google Books}}</ref><ref name="snopes" /><ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=w5BPAAAAIBAJ&pg=2018,2598856&dq=dock-ellis|title=Dock Ellis arrested in Cincy|agency=United Press International|newspaper=The Bryan Times|page=3|date=May 6, 1972|access-date=July 25, 2012}}</ref>

The Reds sued Ellis for assault and Ellis countersued. Before going to trial, the Reds dropped the suit and wrote Ellis a letter of apology.<ref name="couldn't pitch without pills"/> The [[State court (United States)|municipal court]] dropped the charges against Ellis, though Ellis stated that this incident made him "hate better".<ref>{{Cite news |date=1972-07-11 |title=Charges against Dock Ellis dropped |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tri-city-herald-charges-against-dock-ell/159136240/ |access-date=2024-11-16 |work=Tri-City Herald |page=14 |publication-place=Pasco, Washington |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |agency=Associated Press}}</ref>

Ellis finished the 1972 season ninth in the NL in ERA (2.70), sixth in winning percentage (.682), fourth in walks per nine innings pitched (1.818) and first in [[home runs per nine innings]] ratio (0.331). The Pirates won the NL East that year and faced the Reds in the [[1972 National League Championship Series|1972 NLCS]]. The Pirates pitched Ellis with a sore arm,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=9vYeAAAAIBAJ&pg=3588,1850774&dq=dock-ellis|title=Pirates Attempt To Close Playoffs With Dock Ellis|agency=Associated Press|newspaper=Sarasota Journal|page=C1|date=October 10, 1972|access-date=July 25, 2012}}</ref> but the Reds won the series.<ref name="couldn't pitch without pills"/>

====1973====
Ellis said that the scariest moment of his career was when he attempted to pitch while sober in a 1973 game. During pregame warmups, he could not recreate his pitching mechanics. Ellis went to his locker, took some amphetamines with coffee, and returned to pitch.<ref name=si>{{cite magazine|first=Michael |last=Silver |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1111909/index.htm |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130119114805/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1111909/index.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 19, 2013 |title=Notorious for baseball's trippiest mound exploit, he turned his experiences to the good by helping substance abusers|magazine=Sports Illustrated|date=July 2, 2007 |access-date=July 14, 2012}}</ref>

In August 1973, pictures circulated of Ellis wearing [[hair roller|hair curler]]s in the bullpen during pregame warmups.<ref name="latobit" /><ref name="couldn't pitch without pills" /> The Pirates told him not to wear curlers on the field again. Ellis agreed,<ref name="couldn't pitch without pills" /><ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=heZVAAAAIBAJ&pg=6678,3356184&dq=dock-ellis|title=Pirate pair feuds as Ellis cools down|agency=Associated Press|newspaper=Eugene Register-Guard|page=3B|date=August 14, 1973|access-date=July 25, 2012}}</ref> but charged that the Pirates were displaying racism.<ref name="couldn't pitch without pills" /> ''[[Ebony (magazine)|Ebony]]'' devoted a spread to Ellis about his hairstyles, which was inspired by the hair-curler incident.<ref name="high times" />

After Ellis defeated the Reds in a 1973 game, [[Joe Morgan]] claimed that Ellis had thrown a [[spitball]]. Anderson had the [[umpire (baseball)|umpire]] check Ellis, but found no evidence.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=sohIAAAAIBAJ&pg=4011,2126665&dq=dock-ellis+joe-morgan|title=Ellis Throws Spitter: Morgan|agency=Associated Press|page=2-C|newspaper=St. Petersburg Times|date=August 18, 1973|access-date=September 17, 2012}}</ref> In his 1980 book, Ellis admitted that wearing hair curlers produced sweat on his hair, which he used to throw a modified version of a spitball.<ref name="couldn't pitch without pills" />

Ellis missed most of the last month of the season because of [[tendinitis]] in his elbow,<ref name="centennial">{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=j0g0AAAAIBAJ&pg=1958,2932779&dq=dock-ellis+centennial |title=Pirates' Dock Ellis Isn't All Bad|first=Jack|last=Gurney|page=1-F|newspaper=[[Sarasota Herald-Tribune]]|date=March 7, 1974|access-date=July 25, 2012}}</ref> and the Pirates lost the division to the [[New York Mets]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=qnAsAAAAIBAJ&pg=7198,155185&dq=pirates+mets+dock-ellis |title=Didn't Play Well Enough Say Pirates|agency=Associated Press|page=B3|newspaper=The Spartanburg Herald|date=October 2, 1973|access-date=August 1, 2012}}</ref> Ellis again led the league in home runs allowed per nine innings pitched ratio (0.328).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1973-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1973 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|access-date=August 1, 2012}}</ref>

====1974====
Ellis attempted to hit every batter in the [[1974 Cincinnati Reds season|Cincinnati Reds]] lineup with a pitch on May 1, 1974, as he was angry that the Pirates were intimidated by the [[Big Red Machine]].<ref name=latobit/><ref name=nyt/> Ellis admired [[Pete Rose]] and was concerned about how he would respond, but Ellis decided to do it regardless.<ref>{{cite news|date=June 30, 1985|first=Jerry|last=Crowe|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1985-06-30-sp-275-story.html |title=When Hit by Ellis, Rose Didn't Get Mad, He Got Even His Own Way |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |access-date=July 14, 2012}}</ref> Ellis hit Rose, [[Joe Morgan]], and [[Dan Driessen]] in the top of the first inning, with his first six pitches all aimed at the batters. With the bases loaded, Ellis attempted to throw strikes to cleanup hitter [[Tony Pérez]] but walked him, forcing home a run. After Ellis aimed two pitches at the head of [[Johnny Bench]], he was removed from the game by manager [[Danny Murtaugh]].<ref name=latobit/><ref>{{Cite news|last=Hertzel|first=Bob|date=1974-05-02|title=Reds Defeat Pirates, 5-3|page=57|work=The Cincinnati Enquirer}}</ref> Ellis' box score for the game reads as follows: 0 IP, 0 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 0 K.<ref name="snopes">{{cite web|url=http://www.snopes.com/sports/baseball/ellis.asp |title=Urban Legends Reference Pages: Dock Ellis LSD No-Hitter |publisher=Snopes.com |access-date=July 14, 2012}}</ref> Ellis tied eight other players for the MLB record with the three hit batsmen in the inning.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=hdsjAAAAIBAJ&pg=7264,1189496&dq=dock-ellis|title=Ellis Hits Wrong Targets|newspaper=The Milwaukee Journal|page=12|date=May 2, 1974|access-date=August 4, 2012}}</ref>

Ellis struggled at the start of the 1974 season, with a 3–8 win–loss record and 4.54 ERA through July 10. He then won eight consecutive games and nine out of ten, pitching seven complete games in that ten-game stretch.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=uG5kAAAAIBAJ&pg=3335,1805599&dq=dock-ellis|title=Dock Ellis may be big healer in Pittsburgh|agency=Associated Press|newspaper=The Calgary Herald|page=34|date=April 4, 1975|access-date=August 4, 2012}}</ref> A [[line drive]] off the bat of [[Willie Montañez]] fractured the [[fifth metacarpal bone]] in Ellis' pitching hand on September 10, prematurely ending his season.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=2ZMzAAAAIBAJ&pg=3488,641920&dq=dock-ellis |title=Pirates walk plank while losing Ellis|agency=Associated Press|newspaper=The Miami News|page=2C|date=September 12, 1974|access-date=August 3, 2012}}</ref> Ellis had the seventh-best walks plus hits per inning pitched ratio (1.155) that season.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1974-pitching-leaders.shtml |title=1974 National League Pitching Leaders |publisher=Baseball-Reference.com |date=2012-07-10 |access-date=July 14, 2012}}</ref> The Pirates won the NL East but lost the [[1974 National League Championship Series|1974 NLCS]], three games to one, to the [[Los Angeles Dodgers]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/1974_NLCS.shtml |title=1974 League Championship Series&nbsp;— Los Angeles Dodgers over Pittsburgh Pirates (3-1) |publisher=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=July 14, 2012}}</ref>

====1975====
Healthy to begin the 1975 season, Ellis continued to perform well.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=It8oAAAAIBAJ&pg=718,764150&dq=dock-ellis|title=Dock Ellis maintains form to beat White Sox|page=13|agency=Associated Press|newspaper=Tri City Herald|date=April 1, 1975|access-date=August 4, 2012}}</ref> In August, the Pirates asked Ellis to pitch in the bullpen; he refused on consecutive nights.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=J-8gAAAAIBAJ&pg=4496,2559062&dq=dock-ellis|title=Ellis (Dock) acts up|newspaper=The Day|page=14|date=August 16, 1975|access-date=August 4, 2012}}</ref> On August 15, 1975, Ellis refused assignment to the bullpen again; as a result, the Pirates suspended him for one day.<ref name="couldn't pitch without pills"/> Ellis called for a team meeting the next day, at which he was expected to apologize. Instead, he berated Murtaugh, who responded by cursing at Ellis, ordering the pitcher out of the clubhouse<ref name=sensing>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=D4FIAAAAIBAJ&pg=2241,780121&dq=dock-ellis |title=Dock Ellis... Going... Going.. Gone|first=Charley|last=Feeney|page=16|newspaper=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette|date=December 5, 1975|access-date=August 4, 2012}}</ref> and attempting to fight him.<ref name="couldn">{{Cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1985-06-30-sp-266-story.html |title=Dock Ellis: The Man Who Pitched a No-Hitter While Under the Influence of LSD Has Found a New Delivery: He Coordinates a Substance-Abuse Rehabilitation Program : Ellis: 'I Couldn't Pitch Without Pills' |last=Crowe |first=Jerry |date=June 30, 1985 |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=July 14, 2012}}</ref> Reportedly, coach [[Don Leppert]] also tried to fight Ellis.<ref name="couldn't pitch without pills"/> The Pirates suspended Ellis for 30 days<ref name="couldn't pitch without pills"/> and fined him $2,000 {{USDCY|2000|1975}}.<ref name=sensing/> The suspension was lifted on August 30 when Ellis apologized to Murtaugh.<ref name="couldn't pitch without pills"/>

Ellis finished with an 8–9 record and 3.79 ERA during the 1975 season.<ref name=comeback/> The Pirates again won the NL East, but were swept by the Reds in the [[1975 National League Championship Series|1975 NLCS]] in three games. Ellis pitched in relief for two innings in Game 1.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/1975_NLCS.shtml |title=1975 League Championship Series&nbsp;– Cincinnati Reds over Pittsburgh Pirates (3–0) |publisher=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=July 14, 2012}}</ref>