Former Bulldog Baseball Great Passes Away

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI/MSU Athletics) – Former Bulldog great and MLB All-Star Sammy Ellis died Friday in Temple Terrace, Fla., at the age of 75.

Ellis lettered for the Maroon and White in 1961, a season in which he led the Southeastern Conference with 73 strikeouts and also led the Bulldogs with 57 2/3 innings pitched.

After leaving Starkville, Ellis went on to play seven years in the big leagues. He posted a 63-58 record over 229-career games, and owns a 4.15 ERA. He tallied 677 strikeouts and 18 saves.

His career reached the pinnacle in 1965 when he was named an MLB All-Star while with the Cincinnati Reds after posting a 22-10 record with two saves. Ellis tossed 15 complete games that season for Cincinnati. Ellis is one of just eight former Diamond Dawgs to receive the honor.

After finishing his playing career, Ellis went on to coach in the MLB for 31 years with stints in Chicago, New York, Seattle, Boston and Baltimore.