"The Yankees are going to do some shuffling this year in order to get John Ellis into the lineup. Originally a catcher, John spent the 1969 off-season learning how to play first base since the Yankees had Thurman Munson to catch and had traded first baseman Joe Pepitone. He adapted well but Danny Cater usurped his new position last year when John failed to get off to a quick start. So this season the Yankees might try to make a third baseman out of the 22-year-old Ellis.
In 1970 John played all three positions, mostly against left-handed pitchers. He hit only .248 with seven home runs and 29 RBI's but should improve. He must learn to hit off-speed pitches better. In 22 games with the Yankees in '69, John batted .290 and with Syracuse, he hit .333.
The 6-2, 210-pounder is expected to be a long ball threat in the future."
-Brenda Zanger and Dick Kaplan, Major League Baseball 1971
"The Yankees call him Big John, out of respect or out of fear. He's frighteningly strong. The Indians' Tony Horton ran into him full speed last season while Ellis was playing first base and Horton had to pick himself up afterwards.
John has awesome power, but a poor start and Army duty contributed to an unproductive season. He received this note from Lou Gehrig's widow on Opening Day last season: 'To John. For thirty years I've been looking for Lou's successor and I'm rooting for you.'
John is aggressive in everything he does.
'He's a throwback, an old-time player, a rugged individual,' Ralph Houk says. John will be tried at third base this year, where his power would be an asset. An extremely hard worker, he's one of the best-liked players on the team.
'No one who ever played this game ever had a better attitude,' coach Dick Howser says. Born August 21, 1948 in New London, Connecticut, John was thrown off his high school baseball team for punching a catcher in the jaw. A football star, he had numerous college offers.
John is married, with one daughter."
-Joe Gergen, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1971 Edition
"'Big Thunder' is an exciting ball player who's just beginning to tap his potential. He displayed his tools brilliantly last spring training and carried off the 15th annual James P. Dawson Award and the Longines watch that goes to the best rookie in camp. He had to beat Thurman Munson and Ron Klimkowski to do it. John led the spring camp in runs, doubles, homers, RBIs and tied for the lead in most hits.
His fine spring was followed by a rough early season start, but despite that and interruptions for military service, Ellis found his major league stride to end with a .248 average. And he had a day, May 24 in Cleveland, that serves as a preview of game-breaking days to come. 'Little John' broke a 5-5 tie in the eighth inning of the first game with his homer and then put the Yanks ahead 7-6 in the eighth of the second with a three-run homer. This is the kind of explosive action he can deliver.
Big and rangy, Ellis was used at first and third in last year's experiment after learning how to play first with the Yankees' Winter Instructional League club. He made the Topps All-Rookie Team at first base, although most of his experience had been as a backup catcher. In Puerto Rico this past winter he learned how to play third.
'I think I'm ready to help,' Ellis said. 'I don't care where I play as long I play.' The 22-year-old slugger from New London, Connecticut is aggressive and confident. With Munson and Baker, he has the desire that typifies the spirit of today's young Yankees."
-The New York Yankees Official 1971 Yearbook
"Ellis batted his way into the Opening Day starting lineup at first base last year when he went 14-for-29 (.483) with three homers in the last half of the spring training season to win the annual James P. Dawson Award as the outstanding Yankee rookie in camp. Originally signed as a catcher, John became a first baseman after learning the position in the Florida Instructional League of 1969, and he has since been experimenting at third base. It has not yet been determined where he will play, but most people agree that this strapping youngster will be in the Yankee regular lineup before too long.
John did slow down once the regular season began, collecting only two hits in his first 37 at-bats including an 0-for-18 streak, and was hitting .081. He was benched temporarily. Shortly thereafter, however, he had a big day in a Sunday doubleheader in Cleveland on May 24 and was instrumental in winning both games- going 5-for-8 with two doubles, two homers and five RBIs.
One of the strongest young players in baseball today, John is an explosive type of hitter who is liable to break open a game at any moment. Another 'Young Yankee' at just 22, he made the major leagues after just two full seasons of minor league ball. He seemed to settle down after his early setback last season and finished the season at .248, hitting at a .286 clip from May 16 on.
Ellis was noted for his football ability in high school and received many college offers. He chose baseball instead."
-1971 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
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