Staten Island Advance

It started on Staten Island

Jason Marquis struck out nearly 1,200 Major League hitters and fired almost 2,000 innings at the game's highest level over the course of his 15-year MLB career.

He's traveled the world playing baseball, made an All-Star appearance along the way, and even pitched in a crucial World Series game.

But it all began on the South Shore of Staten Island for the now 40-year-old Marquis, an Arden Heights resident, husband, and father of three.

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From a young age

Marquis, who played at Great Kills Little League before jumping over to South Shore LL, turned heads as a youngster.

He pitched and played shortstop on the 1991 SSLL All-Star team that finished third at the Little League World Series -- even throwing a no-hitter along the way.

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Staten Island made me

"Obviously, sometimes your environment impacts how you turn out in life, baseball, or anything for that matter," said Marquis.

"The people you surround yourself with," he added. "It starts at home with your parents and siblings who support your goal...I was surrounded by a great support system."

In fact, Marquis remains in contact with a few of his youth coaches til this day.

"Having great coaches who care about you on and off the field impacted me playing youth baseball," said Marquis. "The impact they had on me and the lessons they taught."

Marquis remained close to the late Goody Halverson, who coached the '91 SSLL All-Stars, as well as Dave Filimon and Allan Lauro.

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City Champ

After excelling on the youth level, Marquis found himself a part of the Tottenville baseball dynasty of the '90s.

He pitched (and hit) his team to consecutive PSAL titles in 1995 and '96.

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MLB bound?

His success at the HS level put him on the national radar, and in '96 the scouts started to take notice.

"You have a goal when you're young," he explained. "First, you want a college scholarship, then you dream to get drafted.

"That goal became attainable, to live out that dream, something you work for as a kid," added Marquis.

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Eyes on the prize

In the spring of '96, 17-year-old Jason Marquis got the call that every potential prospect hopes to receive.

"I was playing PSAL ball the day I got drafted," he remembered. "They told me during the game, I turned my attention right back to the game."

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Where do I sign?

Marquis was drafted in the first round (a supplemental pick), 35th overall by the Atlanta Braves.

"It's a long journey, a fun one," recalls Marquis, who also had an offer to play at the University of Miami on a full scholarship. "The game becomes a little different, a little faster and you've gotta keep up."

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Welcome to the Big Leagues

By the spring of 2000, Marquis was standing on a Big League mound.

He tossed a scoreless inning against the visiting Toronto Blue Jays in Atlanta.

"It's something that can't be put into words when you live out a dream," explained Marquis. "The feeling is indescribable, it doesn't even feel like work anymore, just fun."

The fun was just beginning for the hard-throwing sinker-baller.

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World Series

He'd go on to win 124 games while pitching to a 4.61 ERA between 2000 and 2015, but there was plenty of baseball to be played in between.

Marquis won 15 games for the St. Louis Cardinals in 2004, and tossed seven innings of three-run ball in the World Series that year -- though the Cards ultimately fell to the Boston Red Sox.

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Second time's a charm

He won 11+ games for six straight seasons beginning in '04, and his success helped the Cards reach the Fall Classic once more in 2006.

And this time, Marquis became a world champion.

"Oh man, you put so much work and time into the film room and weight room to get the satisfaction of those rewards," said Marquis.

"You try to be the best player you can to contribute to the team, added Marquis, who reached the post-season 10 times in 15 seasons.

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Silver Slugger

Sandwiched between World Series appearances, Marquis, the former HS shortstop, found himself the recipient of a Silver Slugger Award in 2005, given to the league's top hitter at each position.

He hit .310 that season, and belted five home runs in his career.

"I always try to be a better athlete than baseball player," he acknowledged. "However I can help my team win a ball game, whatever it took.

"I took extra batting practice and base-running drills," said Marquis, rarities for pitchers in today's game.

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Everywhere but here

The New York native, admittedly a Yankees fan growing up, acknowledges that his fandom went by the wayside as soon as he was drafted.

But, he remembers how special it was to come home and pitch in NYC, primarily against the Mets at Shea Stadium, though he also appeared in the Bronx against the Yankees.

"It's always nice to come back home," said Marquis. "Friends and family rooting you on...to see those faces, and get some food, it's always exciting to pitch at home."

Marquis, who pitched for the Braves, Cardinals, Rockies, Cubs, Nationals, Padres, Diamondbacks, Reds, and Twins, admits he would've liked to pitch in NY as a member of the home team.

"It would've been nice as a Met or Yankee," he said.

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An [All] Star is born

In 2009, Marquis' 10th season in the Majors, he reached All-Star status for the first time.

Pitching in Colorado, the league's toughest venue for hurlers, he recorded 15 wins while pitching to a 4.04 ERA in Denver's thin air.

"To me it wasn't about the league or location, it was about the people I surrounded myself with," he said. "They made me who I was and allowed me to do what I love."

The father of three also had other matters at hand.

"Having a wife and kids, they became the biggest part of my life," acknowledged Marquis.

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Back on the Island

In 2011, Marquis was recognized at home for his accomplishments, as he was inducted into the Staten Island Sports Hall of Fame.

That same year, Tottenville retired his No. 21 jersey.

"It's special to be recognized by my community and high school," said Marquis. "Leaving an imprint there and a mark for them to recognize it wasn't only talent, it was hard work."

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World Baseball Classic

Marquis fired his final Big League pitch in 2015 with Cincinnati, but he still had more baseball left in the tank.

When the 2017 World Baseball Classic rolled around, the Israeli national team came calling Marquis, who is of Jewish descent.

Once again, Marquis found himself on the diamond -- only this time, it was in Japan on a global stage.

The right-hander fared extremely well -- surrendering just one run over 9.2 innings against global powers Cuba, Netherlands, and South Korea.

For Marquis, who had visited Japan while playing for Tottenville and did so again in 2004 as a member of the Cardinals, it was an opportunity he couldn't pass up.

"Going over there was a blast, the cities are great and the competition is outstanding," said Marquis. "The opportunity to play again, all in all exceeded every expectation.

"To pitch in front of those crowds and help grow the game that treated me so well," he added.

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Hanging it up

Marquis, who made more than $50 million during his playing career (according to Baseball Reference), admits he still thinks he can play.

"I love to pitch, physically I think I still can," he noted. "But the game's gone young."

Marquis has done TV work for the MLB Network and stays in touch with friends still involved in the game.

"I'm happy being a dad, with school, sports and doctors appointments," he said. "There's always new chapters in life and all good things come to an end...I've moved to the next phase."