Mark Ellis - Inducted 2019

Mark Ellis is a 1995 graduate of Stevens High School in Rapid City. He is a proud member of Dave Ploof’s 1993 Post 22 National Championship team. He is the only two-time recipient of the Legion Player of the Year Award for South Dakota.

Ellis attended the University of Florida and enjoyed two trips to the College World Series in 1996 and 1998. He went on to play 13 seasons of Major League Baseball. During his 10 years with the Oakland Athletics (2002-2011), he set the all-time record for a second baseman with a 0.997 fielding percentage. He had three postseason visits, received two Catfish Hunter Awards and the Roberto Clemente Award for his and his wife’s dedication to diabetes.

After a brief stop with the Colorado Rockies (2011), Ellis continued his career with the Los Angeles Dodgers (2012-2013) where he enjoyed his fourth trip to the playoffs. He finished his career with the St. Louis Cardinals (2014), where he made his fifth trip to the playoffs, and was honored with the Darryl Kile Award for being a good teammate, team leader, and family man. During his 13 years, he broke the record for homeruns hit by any player born in South Dakota. Ellis was honored with the 2012 American Legion Baseball Graduate of the Year Award and most recently, was named as one of the 50 Greatest Oakland Athletics of All-Time.