WEST SACRAMENTO -- Life moves fast for Mark Ellis.
One day, you’re an infielder at the University of Florida, earning the nickname “Ellis Island” for your standout defense before being drafted by the Royals in the ninth round in 1999. The next, you’re shipped to the Athletics in a three-team trade. And suddenly, you’re a 49-year-old father of three donning a green jacket as a host of A’s legends smile and applaud.
Ellis was one of four new members inducted into the A’s Hall of Fame during a ceremony before Saturday’s game against the Mariners at Sutter Health Park -- the same stadium where he made his debut for Triple-A Sacramento way back in 2001.
“It’s 25 years ago,” Ellis said. “I was thinking about it, and I can’t believe that I’m saying ‘25 years ago.’”
Ellis went from the River Cats to an impressive career with the A’s, receiving down-ballot American League Rookie of the Year votes in 2002 and establishing himself as a premier defensive second baseman. He remained with the A’s until being traded to the Rockies, then played for the Dodgers (2012-13) and Cardinals (2014).
"He didn't make mistakes,” said A’s manager Mark Kotsay, Ellis’ teammate from 2004-07. “He was so fundamentally sound. He was a grinder. Just loved the game. He was a big part of our success on those teams that I was here for.”
On Saturday, Ellis joined outfielder Dave Henderson, pitcher Blue Moon Odom and executive Sandy Alderson in the 2026 class of the A’s Hall of Fame.
Franchise icons such as Dennis Eckersley, Rollie Fingers and Dave Stewart were on hand for the occasion, while Reggie Jackson delivered a video message congratulating the inductees.
“A lot of guys who I admired growing up are in this Hall of Fame,” Ellis said. “It’s a real honor to be on the same field with those guys and to be in the same club as those guys.”
The South Dakota native found it hard to believe he had been deemed worthy of Hall of Fame inclusion when the A’s called him this spring with the news.
“I said, ‘Do you guys have the right number?’” Ellis joked.
Alderson, too, was surprised but grateful to be inducted. The club’s general manager from 1983-97 said he appreciated an opportunity to thank members of the organization he led to a World Series title in 1989, sweeping the Giants in a series remembered for the massive earthquake that delayed Game 3.
“I’ve been in baseball for almost 40 years -- one World Series victory,” Alderson said. “Those are hard to come by.”
Henderson, the center fielder on that championship club, was an integral piece of the A’s outfield during his six-year stint (1988-93) with the franchise. Odom, for his part, was a key starter during the club’s three-peat from 1972-74.
“Man, this feels good,” Odom said as he was fitted into his green Hall of Fame jacket during Saturday’s induction ceremony.
A’s Hall of Famers new and old -- and their families -- had a busy day, meeting up for brunch in what Ellis termed a reunion of sorts before touring the A’s clubhouse pregame. Ellis talked to infielders Zack Gelof and Max Muncy, whom he considers some of his current favorite A’s players, and caught up with Kotsay.
“He was one of my favorite teammates,” Ellis said of Kotsay. He’s one of the most competitive people I’ve ever played with. I know he’s good at his job. Given the chance, he’s going to have an amazing career as a manager.”
Ellis, who returned to the A’s as a special instructor for Spring Training in 2016, acknowledges he’s had opportunities to follow in Kotsay’s footsteps as a coach or manager. But with three children -- an equestrian, a volleyball player and an outfielder for Chapman University -- he knows it’s not the right time.
“I’m really enjoying watching my kids grow up and raising them and being around them,” Ellis said. “It’s not on the table right now, but I’m never going to say never to it.”
After all, Ellis looks back fondly on his days in baseball, especially with the A’s. During his induction speech, he recalled being somewhat of a loner early in his career before several A’s teammates persuaded him to move in with them. It was a decision Ellis doesn’t regret.
“We had a lot of great guys,” Ellis said. “We had so much fun off the field.”