04/24/24
November 13, 2009
Dock Ellis & the LSD No No: Somewhere in the archives of Sportsfilter must be some mention of June 1970 when Dock Ellis threw a no-hitter while under the influence of LSD. Even if you know the story, this is a great 4:30 animated recounting of the feat.
Far out, man !
posted by tommybiden at 01:49 AM on November 14, 2009
That was far out, man... Seriously, that was great!
posted by StarFucker at 06:28 AM on November 14, 2009
Cool link. but it shows you just how much society's attitudes have changed since then. Ellis being totally fucked up leading up to the game, getting to the ball park, and while he pitched, even using "greenies" at the same time (along with saying how rampant use of those drugs were at the time) is seen as charming and cute to many now. Can you imagine the fallout from this type of thing were it to happen and be exposed in 2009? A pitcher that can't even see, basically hallucinating on the mound, throwing fastballs at opposing batters? Roughly 40 years later we say, "Far out, man!" Maybe that's how people will respond to steroids stories in 2045.
posted by dyams at 08:14 AM on November 14, 2009
I don't think that steroids give you mystical visions. The drugs jocks ingest today reflect the corporate mindset that defines what passes for society. Still, I find it amazing how Ellis was able to pitch while tripping. Images shift without warning; auditory input floods your ears and mind. I know that Bill Lee pitched after ingesting hash (and I doubt he was the only one), but that's mother's milk compared to a loaded tab.
posted by afl-aba at 09:18 AM on November 14, 2009
Can you imagine the fallout from this type of thing were it to happen and be exposed in 2009?
David Wells claimed to still be drunk during his perfect game. I realize that's more socially acceptable than LSD, but it's similarly celebrated. Maybe that's the key to pitching no hitters. Someone get Nolan Ryan into rehab.
posted by yerfatma at 12:45 PM on November 14, 2009
Someday we are going to have to be able to see the film of that game.
I saw him throw a one-hitter one time, but he looked pretty straight that day.
So many amazing connections - Mazeroski was still in the lineup for the LSD game, a seeming lifetime after his Series winning shot, and Ellis was still pitching for the Pirates when they won the Series in 79.
There was just nothing ever commonplace or ordinary about Dock Ellis. All these current era clowns in all sports working so hard to be memorable and call attention to themselves in any way they can think of - they're idiot nobodies. Chest pounding, jersey tugging, screaming pretenders with felt tip pen, cell phone and one dollar bill vaudeville tricks. Self made fools.
Clean or high, Dock was a walking, talking natural happening, and he owns all the latter day suckas forever.