Mario Monico

Mario Niveras Monico

• Bats Left, Throws Left
• Height 5' 10", Weight 175 lb.
• School University of Hawaii
• High School Farrington High School

• Born March 6, 1963

BR Minors page

Biographical Information

OF Mario Monico was drafted in the 12th round of the 1985 amateur draft by the Milwaukee Brewers. He played in the Brewers' organization from 1985 to 1990, reaching AAA his last two seasons. His career OBP was .401.

Monico was among the NCAA Division I leaders in both hits (105, tied for 11th) and walks (76, 7th) in 1985. He finished as the University of Hawaii career leader in average (.367) and total bases (433). He had also played in the Jayhawk League alongside Barry Bonds and Rafael Palmeiro while in college.

Mario made his pro debut with the Beloit Brewers, hitting .284/.408/.319. Moving up to the Stockton Ports in 1986, he posted a .315/.413/.441 line. He was 5th in the California League in average, leading his club. Despite that, he returned to Stockton in 1987, fading slightly to .293/.411/.392. He did draw 97 walks, steal 13 bases in 18 tries and have 10 outfield assists to one error. He was 7th in the league in average, 5th in OBP and 4th in walks.

In 1988, the 25-year-old kept it up with the El Paso Diablos, producing at a .342/.429/.472 rate. He finished second in the Texas League in average (just .001 behind Jim McCollom) and led in OBP (.017 ahead of Domingo Michel). Monico had led the batting race for most of the second half before McCollom passed him at the end. He was named the TL All-Star DH. Among those he outperformed on the OBP front were Gary Sheffield, Greg Vaughn, Todd Zeile and Carlos Baerga.

Monico split 1989 between El Paso (.333/.467/.444 in 25 G) and the Denver Zephyrs (.266/.341/.324 in 72 G). Returning to Denver for one last season, Monico hit .263/.359/.376. He had also undergone surgery twice on his elbow and doctors were recommending another operation. The OBP machine had batted .299/.401/.402 in 597 minor league games.

Returning to Hawaii, he worked in the furniture field. In 1996, he opened Mario Moni Co, a company that installs furniture. He has also coached youth baseball.

Sources

• Honolulu Star-Bulletin article on Monico
• 1986-1987 Baseball America Statistics Reports
• 1988 Baseball Almanac
• 1989 Baseball Guide