John Ellis
Born: 8/21/1948 in New London, CT, USA
Died: 4/6/2022 in New Haven, CT, USA
MLB Debut: 1969-05-17 | Final Game: 1981-10-03
Bats: R | Throws: R | Height: 6'2" | Weight: 225 lbs
Full name: John Charles Ellis
Biography
John Ellis, born in 1948, was a versatile position player who made a significant impact in Major League Baseball from 1969 until his retirement in 1981. Over the course of his career, he played in 883 games, accumulating 699 hits and a batting average of .262. Known for his offensive contributions, Ellis hit 69 home runs and drove in 391 runs, showcasing his ability to produce in clutch situations. He also demonstrated speed on the bases, finishing his career with 6 stolen bases.
Ellis's career unfolded during a dynamic period in baseball history, marked by the transition from the deadball era to a more offensive-minded game. He played for several teams, contributing to their success with his steady bat and adaptability on the field. While he may not have been among the most celebrated stars of his time, his consistent performance and reliability made him a valued player in the league. His journey through the game reflects the evolving nature of baseball during the 1970s, as players sought to redefine their roles and impact on the field.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 883 | 2672 | 259 | 699 | 116 | 13 | 69 | 391 | 6 | 190 | 403 | 0.262 | 0.312 | 0.392 | 0.704 | -494.0 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 | NYY | AL | 22 | 62 | 2 | 18 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 11 | 0.290 | 4.6 |
| 1970 | NYY | AL | 78 | 226 | 24 | 56 | 12 | 1 | 7 | 29 | 0 | 18 | 47 | 0.248 | -79.9 |
| 1971 | NYY | AL | 83 | 238 | 16 | 58 | 12 | 1 | 3 | 34 | 0 | 23 | 42 | 0.244 | -86.4 |
| 1972 | NYY | AL | 52 | 136 | 13 | 40 | 5 | 1 | 5 | 25 | 0 | 8 | 22 | 0.294 | 375.7 |
| 1973 | CLE | AL | 127 | 437 | 59 | 118 | 12 | 2 | 14 | 68 | 0 | 46 | 57 | 0.270 | 454.1 |
| 1974 | CLE | AL | 128 | 477 | 58 | 136 | 23 | 6 | 10 | 64 | 1 | 32 | 53 | 0.285 | 626.4 |
| 1975 | CLE | AL | 92 | 296 | 22 | 68 | 11 | 1 | 7 | 32 | 0 | 14 | 33 | 0.230 | -806.9 |
| 1976 | TEX | AL | 11 | 31 | 4 | 13 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0.419 | 0.0 |
| 1977 | TEX | AL | 49 | 119 | 7 | 28 | 7 | 0 | 4 | 15 | 0 | 8 | 26 | 0.235 | -168.0 |
| 1978 | TEX | AL | 34 | 94 | 7 | 23 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 17 | 0 | 6 | 20 | 0.245 | -125.9 |
| 1979 | TEX | AL | 111 | 316 | 33 | 90 | 12 | 0 | 12 | 61 | 2 | 15 | 55 | 0.285 | 146.6 |
| 1980 | TEX | AL | 73 | 182 | 12 | 43 | 9 | 1 | 1 | 23 | 3 | 14 | 23 | 0.236 | -525.5 |
| 1981 | TEX | AL | 23 | 58 | 2 | 8 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 0 | 5 | 10 | 0.138 | -308.8 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1B | 304 | 282 | 2583 | 149 | 30 | 224 |
| 3B | 5 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| C | 297 | 245 | 1306 | 123 | 33 | 17 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 | NYA | C | 15 | 15 | 83 | 7 | 2 | 1 |
| 1970 | NYA | C | 2 | 2 | 12 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1970 | NYA | 1B | 53 | 49 | 449 | 37 | 4 | 35 |
| 1970 | NYA | 3B | 5 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| 1971 | NYA | C | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1971 | NYA | 1B | 65 | 64 | 625 | 35 | 7 | 66 |
| 1972 | NYA | C | 25 | 23 | 127 | 11 | 5 | 1 |
| 1972 | NYA | 1B | 8 | 7 | 63 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| 1973 | CLE | C | 72 | 70 | 370 | 27 | 8 | 5 |
| 1973 | CLE | 1B | 12 | 11 | 117 | 4 | 2 | 6 |
| 1974 | CLE | C | 42 | 34 | 156 | 18 | 3 | 4 |
| 1974 | CLE | 1B | 69 | 68 | 667 | 37 | 6 | 57 |
| 1975 | CLE | C | 84 | 72 | 396 | 44 | 11 | 3 |
| 1975 | CLE | 1B | 2 | 2 | 17 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| 1976 | TEX | C | 7 | 4 | 21 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 1977 | TEX | C | 16 | 5 | 40 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| 1977 | TEX | 1B | 8 | 7 | 49 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| 1978 | TEX | C | 22 | 17 | 81 | 10 | 4 | 1 |
| 1979 | TEX | C | 7 | 3 | 16 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 1979 | TEX | 1B | 30 | 28 | 216 | 11 | 5 | 17 |
| 1980 | TEX | C | 3 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1980 | TEX | 1B | 39 | 33 | 240 | 12 | 2 | 22 |
| 1981 | TEX | 1B | 18 | 13 | 140 | 8 | 1 | 16 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| Catcher | 297 |
| First Base | 304 |
| Third Base | 5 |
| Designated Hitter | 170 |
College History
| School Name | City | State | Years Attended |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mitchell College | New London | CT | 1966 |