Oct. 14, 1963 - Dick Ellsworth of the Chicago Cubs, a 20-game loser in 1962 and a 22-game winner in 1963, was named the National League’s “comeback player of the year” today in the annual Associated Press poll. The 6-4 southpaw from Fresno, Calif., collected 24 votes in the balloting by 68 baseball writers. Curt Simmons of St. Louis, another lefty pitcher, was second with 11 votes, followed by Dick Groat, the Cards’ shortstop, 10, and Ron Santo, Chicago Cubs’ third baseman, 9. Ellsworth had a 9-20 record with an ERA of 5.08 in 1962. Last season, he put together a 22-10 mark and a sparkling 2.10 ERA. Seven of his losses were in low-run games. He lost by 1-0 and 3-0 twice each, also 2-1, 3-2, and 3-1. Ellsworth pitched 19 complete games, including four shutouts, in 37 starts and walked 75 while striking out 185 in 290⅔ innings.
