Dock Ellis, Who Pitched a No-Hitter on Acid, Dies at 63

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sourced by Jon Azpiri

Former Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Dock Ellis died Sunday at the age of 63. The flamboyant pitcher was best known for having pitched a no-hitter while tripping on LSD.

Ellis threw the no-hitter in June 1970 in a game against the San Diego Padres. According to Ellis, he dropped acid at around noon thinking that the team had the day off. His girlfriend picked up a newspaper and realized that the Pirates were playing a double-header that day and Ellis was the starting pitcher. Ellis scrambled to get a plane to San Diego where he ended up pitching the game of his life, giving up no hits to the Padres in a 2-0 win. According to Ellis, he manage to pitch a no-no despite not being able to feel the ball or see the catcher.

Ellis had struggled with drinking and drugs through much of his adult life. In 1980, he managed to turn his life around after a successful stint in rehab.

Ellis managed to turn his notoriety into a positive later in life. After his baseball career, he became a drug counselor.

Ellis died of liver failure.