On Wednesday afternoon Toronto Blue Jays area scout Nick Manno spent time with the Bengal Baseball Team. He discussed his career path as a major league baseball scout, what he looks for when watching games; which included some helpful hints for our players as they prepare for the upcoming season. Manno told the players that physical talent is critical while scouting but a players "make-up" is just as important.
Manno is a graduate of Padua Franciscan High School and Mount Union College.
He was a student athlete for Mr. Gressock while in high school. He also played for Coach Sliwinski and was a teammate with Coach Mordarski. Professionally he has worked for the Montreal Expos/Washington Nationals as a scout and player development director. He then held a position at the Major League Baseball Office as a coordinator of operations prior to taking his current position with the Blue Jays. During his playing days Nick was a "slick fielding" second baseman who hit from the left-side of the plate.
Manno finished his visit by giving the team a little Benedictine history lesson. His dad, Bruce Manno, is a 1971 Graduate of Benedictine High School. As a young man Bruce told his mom that one day he would work in professional baseball. He then worked his way from a student at Cuyahoga Community College to the low minor leagues. Nick told us his father was very detail-oriented and meticulous, especially when it came to field maintenance. His hard work landed him a job with the Milwaukee Brewers and later with the St. Louis Cardinals where he was a part of a World Series Championship. Bruce is currently the assistant general manager of the Atlanta Braves.
