After playing American Legion Baseball for Post 53 in Sanford, Fla., David Eckstein was a two-time World Series champion, with the Anaheim Angels in 2002 and the St. Louis Cardinals in 2006. Eckstein was also World Series MVP in 2006 and a two-time All-Star, in 2005 and 2006.
The 2012 American Legion Baseball Graduate of the Year, Mark Ellis played for coach Dave Ploof at Post 22 in Rapid City, S.D. Ellis is a two-time recipient of the Jim "Catfish" Hunter Award, given annually to an Oakland Athletic whose play and conduct best exemplifies the courageous, competitive and inspirational spirit of late Hall-of-Fame pitcher Jim "Catfish" Hunter. At the time of his retirement in 2015, Ellis' career .991 fielding percentage was fifth-best for a second baseman in MLB history.
A native of Jamestown, N.D., Darin Erstad played American Legion Baseball and hit .495 with 18 homers, 86 RBIs and 21 doubles as a senior. He was the state tournament MVP in both 1991 and 1992 and a three-time all-state pick. Erstad punted for the University of Nebraska's national championship team in 1994 then was selected No. 1 overall in the 1995 MLB Draft by the Angels. He was a World Series champion in 2002, a two-time All-Star, a three-time Gold Glove Award winner and a Silver Slugger Award winner.
