Johnny Monell made AAA in long career, son made majors
Mets farmhand Johnny Monell returned to single-A Columbia in 1987, after playing there in 1986.
This year, though, the third-year pro had family to help him, his wife and his 1-year-old son Johnny Monell Jr., The Columbia Record wrote.
"They've helped a lot," Monell told The Record that April. "I couldn't wait for them to get here. It helps when you go 0-for-four for three days. It helps having that little boy to go home to."
Monell went on to play professionally over 16 seasons, seven of those in affiliated ball. He topped out at AAA.
His son, though, went on to play professionally himself - and make the majors.
Monell Sr.'s career began in 1985, signed by the Mets as an undrafted free agent out of the Bronx.
Monell started with the Mets in 1985 at short-season Little Falls. He hit .213 in 67 games.
He arrived in Columbia for 1986 and returned there for 1987. He also saw a game at AAA Tidewater.
Monell played 1988 at single-A St. Lucie, along with 13 games at AA Jackson. That April, he used his arm to throw out a runner at the plate from left field on a rainy night, The Stuart News wrote.
"I was just trying to keep our pitcher in the game," Monell told The News of his throw. "That's about as strong as I can throw, especially with a wet ball. I was lucky I didn't have any time to think about it and just did it."
Monell saw AA Jackson in 1989 then 13 games at Tidewater in 1990. He also saw 32 games at AA Midland with the Angels and time in Mexico with San Luis Potosi.
Monell continued in Mexico, saw AA Tulsa with the Rangers in 1995 and then Taiwan with Brother in 1996. He moved to independent ball with Lubbock in 1997 then saw four seasons with independent Atlantic City to end his career.
In July 1999, Monell hit a late two-run home run for Atlantic City that proved to be the game-winner.
"It was fastball that just got the meat of the plate," Monell told The Press of Atlantic City. "I was geared up."
In 2007, Monell's son Johnny Monell, Jr., was drafted in the 30th round by the Giants. Monell Jr. went on to make the majors for eight games with the Giants, then, in 2015, for 27 games with the Mets.
- Columbia Record, April 27, 1987: Mets' 'Mo' wants nothing 'mo' than to move up ladder
- Stuart News, April 13, 1988: Mets
- Press of Atlantic City, July 2, 1999: Monell powers Surf to victory over Pride
Made the Majors:1,477-31.8%
Never Made Majors:3,173-68.2%-X