Mark Ellis is a former professional baseball player who played as a second baseman for various teams in Major League Baseball (MLB). He was born on June 6, 1977, in Rapid City, South Dakota, and grew up in Rapid City, South Dakota. Ellis attended the University of Florida, where he played college baseball for the Florida Gators.
Ellis was drafted by the Kansas City Royals in the ninth round of the 1999 MLB draft. He made his MLB debut with the Royals in 2002 and played for them until 2004. In 2005, Ellis was traded to the Oakland Athletics, where he played for nine seasons. During his time with the Athletics, Ellis was known for his solid defense and consistent hitting. He won the American League Gold Glove Award for second base in 2006.
In 2012, Ellis signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers as a free agent. He played for the Dodgers for two seasons before being traded to the Colorado Rockies in 2014. Ellis played his final season with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2014 before retiring from baseball.
Throughout his career, Ellis was known for his strong work ethic and leadership skills. He was a respected teammate and was often praised for his ability to mentor younger players. Ellis was also known for his durability, as he played in over 140 games in six different seasons.
In total, Ellis played in 1,314 games over the course of his career. He had a career batting average of .262, with 105 home runs and 550 runs batted in. Ellis was also a solid defensive player, with a career fielding percentage of .991.
Since retiring from baseball, Ellis has remained involved in the sport. He has worked as a special assistant for the St. Louis Cardinals and has also served as a coach for various youth baseball teams. Ellis has also been involved in charitable work, including supporting organizations that help children with cancer.
Overall, Mark Ellis had a successful career as a professional baseball player. He was known for his solid defense, consistent hitting, and leadership skills. Ellis was a respected teammate and a durable player who played in over 1,300 games during his career.
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