Dick Ellsworth

From BR Bullpen

Richard Clark Ellsworth

Bats Left, Throws Left
Height 6' 4", Weight 195 lb.
School Fresno City College
Debut June 22, 1958
Final Game June 23, 1971
Born March 22, 1940 in Lusk, WY USA

[edit] Biographical Information

On June 16, 1958 Dick Ellsworth was signed by the Chicago Cubs as an amateur free agent. He immediately threw a four hit shutout against the Chicago White Sox in a mid-season exibition game. The 18 year old left-hander then lost his only regular season start before being sent down to the Fort Worth Cats of the AA Texas League.

He wasn't to impressive with the Fort Worth Team, going 1-7 with a 5.47 ERA in 1958, but improved to 10-14 with a 2.60 ERA with the same club in 1959. He started the 1960 season with the Houston Buffs, won his first two starts, giving up only 9 hits in 21 innings with a 0.86 ERA and was called up to the major leagues where he stepped right into the Chicago Cubs starting rotation and stayed there through 1966.

Dick had his best season in 1963 when he won 22 while losing only 10 with a 2.11 ERA. The following year he won 14 outings, posted a 3.75 ERA and was chosen for the 1964 All-Star Game, although he did not get into the contest. After losing a league leading 22 contests in 1966, Ellsworth was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies on December 7, 1966 for Ray Culp and cash.

Dick would spend 1967 with the Phillies where he would go 6-7 with a 4.38 ERA and be traded to the Boston Red Sox on December 15, 1967 along with Gene Oliver for Mike Ryan and cash. Dick would have one of his most productive years for the fourth place finishing (86-76) Red Sox in 1968, winning 16 and losing only 7 with a 3.03 ERA. Ellsworth would have three years of baseball left in his arm, finishing up his 13 year major league career with the Cleveland Indians and the Milwaukee Brewers in 1969 to 1971 with a career 115-137 record and a 3.72 ERA.

Dick's son, Steve Ellsworth, came up with the Red Sox in 1988 and when he won a game the Ellsworths became the first father-son combination to both win a game for Boston in franchise history. As of this writing (2009) Dick resides in Fresno, CA, where he has been in the real estate business.