A competent hitter, the ungraceful 6’2″ 225-lb Ellis played most regularly for the Indians in 1973-74, hitting career highs of 14 HR and 68 RBI in ’73. He came to Cleveland in the six-player 1972 deal that sent Graig Nettles to the Yankees. In May 1976 with Texas, Ellis suffered a broken leg, dislocated ankle, and torn ligaments sliding into second. He returned in 1977 to play part-time and, for a while, coach for the Rangers.
