1977 Profile: Dock Ellis

"Back on top. Obtained as a throw-in in the Willie Randolph trade, he's the comeback kid.
'Dock will win between 15 and 17 games for us,' predicted George Steinbrenner. He won 17, more than double his 1975 total with the Pirates.
'I had something to prove, to myself and to others,' he says. Born in Los Angeles, Dock became the Yankees' player rep and was an outstanding one. He amuses his teammates with his imitation of Muhammad Ali. He has matured to become a distinguished elder statesman, and authored an autobiography 'Dock Ellis in the Country of Baseball.' "

-Phil Pepe, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1977 Edition

"The Comeback Player of the Year in 1976 was Dock Phillip Ellis, the Yankees' own 17-game winner, noted author, player representative, and general man about town. What a delightful first season in New York for the tall right-hander!
Dock, of course, spent most of his career with the Pirates, where he pitched for five division winners, started the 1971 All-Star Game and hurled a no-hitter. When he became available after the 1975 season, the Yankees were happy to land him, and the results bore them out.
Dock put together a seven-game winning streak in 1976, and he was there as the Yankees pulled away. He tied Catfish Hunter in victories and had the best winning percentage on the club. He won a big game in the Championship Series and kept the club amused all year with his quick wit. All in all, it was a happy season for all concerned.
The 32-year-old Ellis, now in his 13th year of professional baseball, retains a keen awareness of the people and events outside his profession. He worked voluntarily in New York City playgrounds last summer and remains active in the fight against Sickle Cell Anemia. This is a man concerned with his profession and those it touches. A welcome addition to the Yankees in 1976; a proud member of the league's best pitching staff in 1977."

-The New York Yankees Official 1977 Yearbook

"Dock Ellis' first American League season was a great success. He was voted the Comeback Player of the Year, as his 17-8 record represented the best winning percentage on the club, and he tied Catfish Hunter for the runner-up spot on the team in victories behind Ed Figueroa's 19. During the season, Dock put together a seven-game winning streak, covering seven consecutive starts (June 15-July 17). It equalled the longest winning streak by a Yankee pitcher since Whitey Ford won 12 straight in 1963. Dock also scored a big victory over the Royals in Game Three of the ALCS. He was elected Player Representative of the Yankees and capped off a happy year with the publication of his life story 'Dock Ellis in the Country of Baseball,' written with Donald Hall, a frank study of a contemporary baseball player.
Being with the Yankees made it six division titles in the last seven years for Dock, who starred for the Pirates from 1968-1975, winning 19 games in 1971, the year in which he was the starting pitcher for the National League in the All-Star Game. He won 13 straight that year, equalling the Pittsburgh record. He hurled a no-hitter against San Diego on June 12, 1970.
Dock is a graduate of Gardenia (California) High School, lettering in baseball, track and basketball. He signed with the Pirates as a free agent on January 14, 1964.
Dock is active in the fight against Sickle Cell Anemia. He also volunteered to work in New York City playgrounds for a full week last summer."

-1977 New York Yankees Press/TV/Radio Guide