I had to share the following obit on pitcher Dock Ellis, and then I'll pose a question:

Dock Ellis Jr., the outspoken pitcher who played for the Pittsburgh Pirates, New York Yankees, Oakland Athletics, Texas Rangers and the New York Mets, died Dec. 19 at the USC Medical Center in Los Angeles. The 63-year-old had battled liver disease for over a year.

Ellis debuted with the Pirates on June 18, 1969, and would be a double-figure winner for the Pirates from 1969-74. He was traded to the Yankees after the 1975 season, going 17-8 with New York in 1976 and winning the American League Comeback Player of the Year Award. Ellis pitched for the Yankees, Athletics and Rangers in 1977. After spending the 1978 season with the Rangers, Ellis played for the Rangers, Mets and Pirates in 1979.

His best season was 1971 when the tall righthander went 19-9 with a 3.06 ERA, as the Pirates beat the Baltimore Orioles in seven games to win the World Series.

On June 12, 1970, Ellis threw a no-hitter versus the San Diego Padres. Later, in the second edition of his book In the Country of Baseball, Ellis claimed to be high on LSD while throwing the no-hitter.

Ellis compiled a 113-119 record in 345 games, 317 of them starts. He had a career 3.46 ERA. He struck out 1,136 batters, while walking 674.

Question
Now Ellis isn't on the same level as say Roger Clemens or Mark McGwire, but where's the abomination for his admitted drug use? Or is LSD OK because it doesn't "enhance" performance?

I realize the 1970s were the 1970s, but the double standards make me shake my head.

Happy Holidays
I'm not sure what other blogging duties I'll squeeze in before flying off for the holidays, so I'll say it now: Happy Holidays to all and to all a great 2009!