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Athletics Opening Day countdown: Mark Ellis is best No. 14 in A’s history

With 14 days left until Athletics Opening Day, this countdown names Mark Ellis the best A’s player to wear No. 14, built on longevity, defense, and a defining Oakland run.

by
Mark Hebert
March 13, 2026

Athletics second baseman Mark Ellis completes a double play as Orioles runner J.J. Hardy slides into second base at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum in Oakland.

May 28, 2011, Oakland, CA, USA, Athletics second baseman Mark Ellis (top) completes a double play as Baltimore Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy (2) slides into second base during the second inning at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images

With two weeks remain until Athletics Opening Day at the Toronto Blue Jays on March 27, 2026. With Las Vegas on the horizon, this daily countdown tracks the best A’s players by jersey number.

Today, March 13, 2026, the number is 14.

Mark Ellis, No. 14

Mark Ellis is the best Athletics player to wear No. 14 because he combined long-term value with a true Oakland identity. He held the job for nearly a decade, played premium defense at second base, and was a core piece of multiple playoff clubs.

Ellis also fits the series rule: his career value is strong (33.5 career WAR), and his Oakland run is the clear separator. He spent nine seasons with the A’s (2002-2011) and produced most of his career value in green and gold.

#OTD in 2007, Mark Ellis hit for the cycle against the Boston Red Sox, the first Oakland cycle since Eric Byrnes in 2003. The A’s would go on to win 5-4 in extras after a walk-off home run by Eric Chavez. #Athletics #RootedInOakland pic.twitter.com/6mqaUzEHPQ

— Uprooted (@uprootedoakland) June 4, 2023

Why Ellis gets No. 14

Ellis gets No. 14 because he was an everyday middle infielder for the A’s for years, not a short-term stop. That matters for this series. His best seasons came in Oakland, and his defensive reputation at second base gave the club stability up the middle.

There are other recognizable names at No. 14, but Ellis has the cleanest blend of longevity, role importance, and overall impact for the franchise.

Career start and background

Ellis was born June 6, 1977, in Rapid City, S.D. He played at the University of Florida.

He debuted with the Athletics in 2002 and became the club’s primary second baseman for most of the 2000s.

Other notable No. 14s

Mark Ellis
• Ben Grieve
• Mike Bordick
• Vida Blue
• Eddie Collins

Career check

No. 14 goes to Mark Ellis. He was the A’s long-time second baseman, delivered real two-way value, and wore the number long enough to define it for the Oakland era.

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Dice City Sports editor Mark Hebert covers the Vegas Golden Knights, Las Vegas Raiders, Athletics, and UNLV baseball and softball. He has 24 years of journalism experience, is also a senior reporter at Exhibit City News, and previously covered the Dallas Stars and Texas Rangers. Follow him on X or connect on LinkedIn.