Spotted by a scout at a local league game in summer 1987, Steve Mondile got an invitation to a tryout - and got signed, his hometown Camden Courier-Post wrote.
"It's something I've always wanted since I started playing," Mondile told The Courier-Post then. "Everything's happened so quick. But it's been a good day. It's my dad's birthday, plus, I got a major league contract."
Mondile went from there to rookie ball. He then went on to see time in four pro seasons. He topped out at high-A, but he eventually stayed in the game as a scout himself, as well as a coach and instructor.
Mondile's career began that year in 1987, signed by the Orioles as an undrafted free agent out of Kentucky Wesleyan College.
Mondile started with the Orioles at rookie Bluefield. He went 1-1, with a 4.43 ERA over 10 relief outings.
He moved to short-season Erie for 1989 and saw 27 games in relief. He went 2-2 there, with a 1.07 ERA.
He then played 1989 at single-A Frederick, then 1990 at Frederick at high-A. He saw 38 outings his first year there and 32 in his second. He went 5-4, with a 3.53 ERA his second year there to end his career.
By 1993, Mondile was an assistant coach for his old high school team and the local American Legion squad. He spoke to The Philadelphia Inquirer then about the end of his career, including quick final looks at the pros in 1991.
"It was tough swallowing that," Mondile told The Inquirer about the end of his career. "But whenever you're done playing, it's tough swallowing it. It's getting easier, but I see guys in the majors I played with or against and I know I was as good or better."
Mondile eventually turned scout, with the Reds, Phillies and the Marlins. With both the Marlins and the Reds, he served as northeast scouting supervisor. He also coached, including six seasons with Rutgers University-Camden.
He also served as an instructor, owning The Hit Doctor. He also got to coach his own kids, The Courier-Post wrote in 2007.
"It's a lot of fun," Mondile told The Courier-Post of coaching his sons. "It is an opportunity for me to be with them."
- Camden Courier-Post, July 18, 1987: Mondile signs pact with Orioles
- Philadelphia Inquirer, May 18, 1993: Major lessons in minors for Rams assistant coach
- Camden Courier-Post, April 25, 2007: Once on verge of majors, Mondile now coaches kids
Made the Majors:1,357-33.1%
Never Made Majors:2,741-66.9%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors:553
10+ Seasons in the Minors:335
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