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Legendary college baseball coach Mark Marquess died Friday, Stanford University announced. He was 78 years old.
Marquess was on the Cardinal bench for 41 years. He led Stanford to consecutive college baseball national championships in 1987 and 1988. He retired from the sport in 2017 and ranks fourth on the all-time college baseball wins list with a record of 1,627-878-7.
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Stanford Cardinal head coach Mark Marquess instructs during batting practice before the game against the California Golden Bears at Sunken Diamond on April 22, 2009. (Kyle Terada/USA TODAY Sports)
“This man was Stanford baseball,” current Stanford head coach David Esquer said in a statement. “He was my coach and like a father to me. I wouldn’t be where I am today without him. This is a great loss for the Stanford community, the Stanford baseball family and for me. I love that man.”
Marquess was affectionately known as “9” due to the iconic number 9 jersey he wore in the dugout.
“We are deeply saddened and mourn the passing of Mark Marquess,” Stanford athletic director John Donahoe said in a statement. “‘9’ was a true icon in every way and an ambassador for Stanford University. His contributions to the development of youth both on and off the field were always at the forefront. ‘9’ impacted countless lives in many ways and we extend our deepest condolences to his family.”
Stanford Cardinal head coach Mark Marquess (9) and Florida State Seminoles head coach Mike Martin (11) meet with referees before the first game of the Tallahassee Super Regional at Dick Howser Stadium on June 8, 2012. (Melina Vastola/USA TODAY Sports)
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Marquess had been rooted at Stanford since he began his college career. He played baseball and football at Stanford when he arrived on campus in 1965. He would go on to win the NCAA Coach of the Year award three times and the Pac-10 Coach of the Year nine times.
Under Marquess’ leadership, Stanford made 30 NCAA Tournament appearances, six NCAA Super Regionals and won 18 regionals. He was inducted into the Stanford Athletics Hall of Fame, the American Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame and the San Jose Sports Hall of Fame.
Stanford coach Mark Marquess smiles before practice at the Sunken Diamond in Stanford, California, on March 11, 2014. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg, File)
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He played in the Chicago White Sox organization from 1969 to 1973, reaching the Triple-A level. He was the head coach of American baseball when the Americans won the gold medal in 1988.
