STANFORD — Mark Marquess, known for decades around college baseball – and Stanford – circles by his jersey number – “9” – died on Friday. He was 78.
Marquess played baseball and football at Stanford as a student, then returned to The Farm in the early 1970s and turned the Stanford baseball program into a national powerhouse for four decades until his retirement following the 2017 season. The school announced the news of Marquess’ death, but no cause was indicated.
“This man was Stanford baseball,” said David Esquer, who played for Marquess at Stanford and succeeded him as the program’s head coach. “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 myself. I love that man.”
Stanford head coach Mark Marquess steps out of the dugout to acknowledge the crowd at Sunken Diamond after the Cardinal was eliminated from the postseason with a 4-2 loss to Cal State Fullerton in a NCAA Regional on Saturday, June 3, 2017. This was the last game of a 41-year career at the helm for Marquess, who announced his intention to retire the previous summer. (Bob Drebin / ISI Photos) (Bob Drebin / ISI Photos)Marquess, who had his No. 9 jersey retired following his final game with the Cardinal, oversaw the program for 41 seasons beginning in 1977.
His teams were a combined 1,627-878-7 (a .649 winning percentage) and reached the College World Series 14 times. He retired following the 2017 season as the fourth-winningest coach in Division I history.
Under Marquess, the Cardinal won back-to-back national titles in 1987-88 and was the runner-up in Omaha three more times.
Marquess was a three-year starter at first base for Stanford from 1967-69, earning first-team All-American honors in 1967. He hit .404 that season, which still ranks fifth all-time on the school’s single-season list. He also played three seasons on the Stanford football team as a quarterback, split end, defensive back and punt returner.
He played four seasons in the minors and began his coaching career in 1973 as a player/coach with the Iowa Oaks, the White Sox’s Triple-A affiliate that included future All-Stars Rich “Goose” Gossage and Bucky Dent.
Marquess was inducted into the National College Baseball Hall of Fame in 2021 after previously being enshrined in the Stanford Athletics Hall of Fame, the American Baseball Coaches’ Association Hall of Fame and the San Jose Sports Hall of Fame.
In 1988, Marquess guided the United States Olympic team to a gold medal at the Seoul Games.
Marquess’ impact at Stanford went well beyond the successes on the field. In the spring of 2017, more than 100 former players showed up at Sunken Diamond when his No. 9 jersey was retired during a pregame ceremony.
“I’ve had a lot of great experiences in my athletic career, but none more special than this,” Marquess said that day between posing for photos on the mound with groups of players and before catching the opening pitches from three of his eight grandchildren.
More than 200 Cardinal players were selected in the MLB draft during his tenure, including 26 first-round or compensation picks since Jack McDowell became the first in 1987.
Stanford baseball coach Mark Marquess, who is retiring at the end of the season after 41 years at the helm, is joined by family after his No. 9 jersey was retired during a postgame ceremony at Sunken Diamond on Sunday, May 21, 2017. (Bob Drebin, ISI Photos)Friday, former Stanford pitcher Kyle Peterson, one of those first-round picks, posted an open letter to Marquess.
“Dear ‘9’”, Peterson wrote. “Thank you. I wanted to make sure the entire baseball world was aware of the impact you had on Stanford University and those of us who were fortunate enough to play for you.
“My story is I’m sure like countless others, you took a chance on kids from Omaha and Oklahoma and California and places all over the country, and in doing so changed our lives forever. We just didn’t really understand the importance until later on. I guess that’s the way the world works sometimes.”
Peterson noted that Marquess was “incredibly consistent. And tough.” He noted that Marquess had a “why” for everything he did and asked of his players – work ethic, discipline and attention to detail – and that he would “smile if you could see some of the things people are sending out about you today. “
Peterson added that “It still astounds me that I never heard you cuss, although I did hear you say sucking more times than any human in the history of the world.’’
He concluded by writing, “We parent and lead differently because of the things we learned playing for you. Forget the wins and losses, that is the legacy that we should all aspire to have.
“Rest Easy 9, and thank you for changing my life and countless others. You truly were one of one and I am eternally grateful that you took a chance on a kid from Nebraska.
“It changed my life forever.”
Stephen Piscotty, the former Amador Valley High star who played for Marquess before eight seasons in the majors, wrote on the social media site X, “Heroes get remembered, but legends never die. Rest in peace Mark Marquess. Thank you for your guidance, support, and commitment to Stanford and the game of baseball. Taught us all to follow our hearts, and never go wrong. #9”
Stanford baseball coach Mark Marquess. (David Gonzales/Stanford University Athletics) Photo by David Gonzales.John Donahoe, Stanford’s Jaquish & Kenninger Director and Chair of Athletics, wrote in the school’s news release, “Nine was a true icon in every sense and an ambassador for Stanford University. His contributions to developing young men both on and off the field was always at the forefront. Nine impacted countless lives in so many ways and we express our sincerest condolences to his family.”
Following his Stanford tenure, Marquess had served as special assistant to the director of athletics at Santa Clara since October 2018.
“I am deeply saddened by the unexpected loss of Mark Marquess,” said Santa Clara Baseball head coach Rusty Filter, who was Marquess’ pitching coach from 2010-17. “I am forever grateful to have been at his side for the last 18 years. He had such an incredible impact on my life. He was a true legend on and off the field, and was such a great man. My heart goes out to Susan and his family.”
Marquess is survived by his wife, Susan, and their three daughters, Bridget, Anne and Maureen.
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