Mark Grace
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| Mark Grace | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name | Mark Grace |
| Birth date | 28 March 1964 |
| Birth place | Mesa, Arizona, U.S. |
| Position | First baseman / Coach |
| Bats | Left |
| Throws | Left |
| Debutleague | MLB |
| Debutdate | July 25 |
| Debutyear | 1988 |
| Debutteam | Chicago Cubs |
| Finalleague | MLB |
| Finaldate | September 28 |
| Finalyear | 2003 |
| Finalteam | Arizona Diamondbacks |
| Teams | * Chicago Cubs (1988–2000) * Arizona Diamondbacks (2000–2003) |
| Highlights | * 3× All-Star (1993, 1994, 1998) * World Series champion (2001) * NL batting title (1993) |
Mark Grace Mark Grace is an American former professional baseball player and coach, known for an 16-season career as a left-handed first baseman in Major League Baseball with the Chicago Cubs and Arizona Diamondbacks. A three-time All-Star and member of the 2001 World Series champion Diamondbacks, he combined contact hitting, defensive reliability, and situational hitting to become a prominent figure in 1990s and early-2000s baseball. After retiring as a player he worked as a coach and broadcaster for organizations including the Arizona Diamondbacks and national media outlets.
Early life and amateur career
Born in Mesa, Arizona, he played high school baseball at Mesa High School and was a standout in the Arizona high school baseball circuit. He attended and played college baseball at Arizona State University, where he competed in the Pac-10 Conference and was part of a program that produced numerous Major League Baseball players and collegiate award winners. He also played summer baseball in the Cape Cod Baseball League for exposure to professional scouts, leading to selection in the Major League Baseball draft by the Chicago Cubs organization.
Major league career
After progressing through the minor league system with affiliates such as the Peoria Chiefs and Iowa Cubs, he made his MLB debut with the Chicago Cubs in 1988. As a member of the Cubs he formed part of a lineup that included players from the National League Central division era and played home games at Wrigley Field. He emerged as a central offensive contributor during the early-to-mid 1990s, finishing among league leaders in hits and batting average and earning multiple All-Star selections. In 2000 he was traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks, joining a roster built around stars from the National League West and managed by executives focused on postseason contention. He played a key role in the Diamondbacks' run culminating in the 2001 World Series victory over the New York Yankees. He finished his major league tenure after the 2003 season with milestones in career hits, doubles, and runs batted in.
Playing style and accomplishments
Known for a high-contact left-handed batting approach, he prioritized line drives and situational hitting, often hitting behind runners and moving runners over for teammates from the Chicago Cubs lineup and later the Arizona Diamondbacks. Defensively, he was respected for first-base footwork, pickoff coordination, and reliability on plays around the bag, working with infield partners developed under managers from the National League and coaching staffs influenced by 1990s defensive philosophies. He won a National League batting title in 1993 and earned three All-Star nods (1993, 1994, 1998). Career accomplishments include surpassing 2,000 career hits, ranking among league leaders in doubles and on-base consistency, and contributing to postseason success in the 2001 MLB postseason.
Post-playing career and broadcasting
Following retirement he transitioned into coaching and media. He served on the coaching staff of the Arizona Diamondbacks and held hitting coach and first-base coach responsibilities. In broadcasting he worked as an analyst and commentator for regional telecasts of the Chicago Cubs and national baseball programming on outlets that cover Major League Baseball games, including studio and play-by-play accompaniment and appearances on baseball talk shows. He has been involved in charity exhibition events and alumni appearances tied to the Chicago Cubs and Arizona Diamondbacks organizations.
Personal life and philanthropy
He has resided in Arizona and maintained ties to the Mesa, Arizona and Phoenix, Arizona communities, engaging in philanthropic activities, youth baseball camps, and charity events associated with former teammates and alumni groups. He has participated in fundraising efforts with organizations linked to former players from the Chicago Cubs and Arizona Diamondbacks, supporting causes that include youth sports development and medical charities. Outside of baseball he has been active in media, public appearances, and community outreach connected to the teams and institutions where he built his career.
Category:1964 births Category:Living people Category:Major League Baseball first basemen Category:Chicago Cubs players Category:Arizona Diamondbacks players Category:Arizona State Sun Devils baseball players