Jason Marquis is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played for nine different teams during his career. He was born on August 21, 1978, in Manhasset, New York, and attended Tottenville High School in Staten Island. Marquis was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the first round of the 1996 MLB draft and made his debut with the team in 2000.
Marquis spent the first four years of his career with the Braves, where he was primarily used as a starter. He had a breakout season in 2004, when he went 14-7 with a 4.13 ERA and was named to the National League All-Star team. Marquis was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals after the 2004 season and helped lead the team to a World Series championship in 2006. He went 14-16 with a 5.71 ERA in 2007, his final season with the Cardinals.
After leaving the Cardinals, Marquis played for a number of different teams over the next several years. He spent one season with the Chicago Cubs in 2008, where he went 11-9 with a 4.53 ERA. Marquis then played for the Colorado Rockies in 2009 and had a career-high 15 wins. He also pitched for the Washington Nationals, Arizona Diamondbacks, Minnesota Twins, San Diego Padres, and Cincinnati Reds.
Marquis was known for his sinkerball, which he used to induce ground balls and keep his pitch count low. He was also a good hitter for a pitcher, with a career batting average of .198 and six home runs. Marquis was a durable pitcher who made at least 20 starts in 11 different seasons. He finished his career with a record of 124-118 and a 4.61 ERA.
Off the field, Marquis was involved in a number of charitable causes. He founded the Jason Marquis Foundation in 2003, which provides financial assistance to families affected by cancer. Marquis also participated in the MLB Players Trust's Buses for Baseball program, which brings underprivileged children to baseball games.
Marquis announced his retirement from baseball in June 2016, citing a desire to spend more time with his family. He currently resides in Staten Island with his wife and children.
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