Former Los Angeles Dodgers catcher A.J. Ellis, who was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies last season and now plays for the Miami Marlins, made his return to Dodger Stadium this past weekend.
It was a place Ellis called home for several years, and the Dodgers were the only organization he’d known prior to last August. At the time of being traded, he was the longest-tenured player with the Dodgers. Los Angeles selected Ellis in the 18th round in the 2003 Draft.
While the 36-year-old was not in the lineup on Thursday, Ellis was the subject of a thank you video that was played on the Dodger Stadium video board prior to first pitch. It was accompanied by a standing ovation from the crowd.
Having spent parts of nine seasons with the Dodgers, Ellis was appreciative and surprised by the video, per Austin Laymance of MLB.com:
“That was really touching and totally unexpected,” Ellis said. “My wife and I both were here, and it kind of blew us away. Very grateful and thankful for the Dodgers organization taking time to recognize our time in L.A. together. It was nice to be recognized in that way.”
Ellis was the Dodgers’ primary catcher from 2012-14, but when the team traded for Yasmani Grandal, it relegated Ellis to a backup role.
After finishing out last season with the Phillies, he signed a one-year deal with the Marlins during past offseason, reuniting him with former Dodgers manager Don Mattingly and other coaches, and Dee Gordon.
The Dodgers got the best of the Ellis and the Marlins over the weekend, winning three of four games. Ellis started and played the entire game Sunday, going 1-for-4 with an RBI single in a 6-3 loss.
Ellis will another opportunity to face his former team again in July, when the Dodgers travel to Miami for a three-game series, which will be their first out of the All-Star break.
