An anniversary you might not hear much about

by bucdaddy on Jul 13, 2011 1:29 AM EDT

Today is the 40th anniversary of the game Dock Ellis no-hit San Diego, supposedly under the influence of LSD.
Some people, including Bill James, have questioned whether this actually happened, but to me the amazing thing is there have been several songs written about the supposed feat, including this one:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=wg9DXRP4Ywo

And this one:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=KG2SPjcKM4M

And this one:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYtRZGMpdt0

And probably some more.

It even inspired a Robin Williams routine:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=oO281JqXQdc&feature=related

It should not go unnoted, is what I'm saying.

Dock Ellis, RIP.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of the managing editor (Charlie) or SB Nation. FanPosts are written by Bucs Dugout readers.

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Incorrect

You’re off on both the month and the year. The game happened June 12, 1970:
http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/SDN/SDN197006121.shtml

Either way, it’s still awesome. Deadspin actually had a little piece on it yesterday looking at how real the story was. Apparently Bob Smizik was the guy who broke the story (14 years later) and is a big defender of its authenticity. Both guys who were actually covering the team in 1970 say it’s definitely not true, as does John Mehno.

by ElDuce on Jul 13, 2011 2:10 AM EDT reply actions

Forgot the Deadspin link

http://deadspin.com/5819880/the-long-strange-trip-of-the-dock-ellis-lsd-no+hitter-story

Also notes that someone has written a screenplay based on Ellis’ life story called “Ellis, D”. Clever…

by ElDuce on Jul 13, 2011 2:13 AM EDT up reply actions

:-o ... Oh, man, did I screw this up.

Somehow I got the no-hitter confused with today being the 40th anniversary of Reggie Jackson hitting the ball off the light tower in Detroit in the All-Star game off Dock. Note of the date sparked some office conversation that inevitably led to discussion of the LSD no-hitter, which must be why that stuck in my mind.

I saw the post yesterday and that probably led to my confusion as well.

Anyway, good catch, ElDuce, and enjoy the songs and Robin Williams anyhoo..

by bucdaddy on Jul 13, 2011 11:14 AM EDT up reply actions

Actually...

Today…July 13, is the 40th anniversary of something involving Dock Ellis. Reggie Jackson lighting up Ellis in the 1971 ASG, hitting the light tower on the roof of Tiger Stadium.

Clemente also hit a HR in that All Star Game.

by Thunder on Jul 13, 2011 2:31 AM EDT reply actions

I remember watching that.

Jesus, he hit the living shit out of that ball.

Free your ass and your mind will follow.

by cocktailsfor2 on Jul 13, 2011 7:18 AM EDT up reply actions

I believe that was Clemente’s last ASG AB.

by Kev S on Jul 13, 2011 9:19 AM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, that.

See the mea culpa above.

I’ll just go be quiet for awhile.

by bucdaddy on Jul 13, 2011 11:15 AM EDT up reply actions

Awesome..

Got to love Dock..here’s a link dedicated to the “greatest player of all time”..lol..http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=10961092267

by cg44 on Jul 13, 2011 3:55 AM EDT reply actions

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_vUhSYLRw14

This one is perfectly done.

by Mr. E on Jul 13, 2011 4:18 PM EDT reply actions

Oddly

in most of the songs and descriptions it is stated that Dock drops acid with his girlfriend. He clearly states that he was with a friend’s girlfriend and never suggests that she ate any acid.

by MDBuc on Jul 13, 2011 5:50 PM EDT reply actions