OAKLAND, Calif. -- When Mark Ellis and David Eckstein were teammates at the University of Florida, Ellis was the starting shortstop and Eckstein was the starting second baseman. When the A's and Angels squared off Tuesday, Ellis was Oakland's starting second baseman and Eckstein was Anaheim's starting shortstop. Ellis, who roomed with Eckstein for two years, pondered the situation and laughed.

"I never thought he'd be a shortstop," Ellis admitted. "He didn't even play shortstop in high school. He's got no arm strength at all, and he'll be the first one to tell you that. That's why he has to run the ball halfway to first base before he throws it."

Told of his friend's comments, Eckstein laughed back.

"Hey, I'm a big-league shortstop," he said. "He's a second baseman. He's got no arm strength, either. That's why they moved him to second."

Eckstein was joking, of course. Ellis has been a shortstop for most of his professional career, and he started there for Triple-A Sacramento this year before being called up to the Majors.

"Different organizations have different needs," Ellis said. "We needed a second baseman, and when the Angels got David, they needed a shortstop."

"It's a little bit strange, I guess, but I don't think you'll hear either of us complaining," said Eckstein. "When it comes to playing in the big leagues, you go wherever they tell you to go."

Ellis and Eckstein, who played on the team that finished third at the 1996 College World Series, say they've been keeping tabs on -- and in contact with -- each other since turning two together in college.

"I'm really happy for him because I know what kind of person he is," said Ellis. "He hasn't changed one bit, and that goes back to his family. They raised him right."

Ellis knows first-hand of what he speaks. He lived with Eckstein's grandmother in the 2000 offseason.

"It was great. We worked out together all the time," said Eckstein. "He's just a great guy, all the way around."

Ellis, a 24-year-old rookie, said Eckstein, a 27-year-old in his second big-league season, is one of his favorite players in the league.

"To me, he's one of the most feared guys in their lineup," said Ellis. "When he gets up with nobody on, you don't want him on base because of all he can do. And when he gets up with runners on base, he's probably going to get a hit. He's tough, man. I don't know how he does it sometimes, but it's fun to watch."

And just as he returned Ellis' jab, Eckstein returned the compliment.

"He's doing a fantastic job for them at second base," he said. "And he's young, too. I think he's going to be a very good player for a very long time."