Mark Grace

Mark Grace, born in 1964, was a prominent first baseman who enjoyed a successful Major League Baseball career from 1988 to 2003. Known for his exceptional hitting ability and defensive skills, Grace played a total of 2,245 games, amassing 2,445 hits and finishing his career with a commendable batting average of .303. His offensive prowess contributed significantly to his teams, as he recorded 173 home runs and drove in 1,146 runs batted in (RBIs). Additionally, Grace showcased his speed on the bases, stealing 70 bases over his career. Grace was a three-time All-Star and earned the TSN Rookie Player of the Year award, which highlighted his immediate impact upon entering the league. He was celebrated for his consistent performance during the late 1980s and 1990s, an era marked by a transition towards more power-oriented play in baseball. His ability to blend contact hitting with situational awareness made him a valuable player for the Chicago Cubs, where he spent the majority of his career, as well as the Arizona Diamondbacks. Grace's legacy in the game is characterized not only by his impressive statistics but also by his leadership and influence on and off the field.