Mike Bonanno is a 23 year old Toronto area native, just starting his career as an agent for Major League Baseball players. His company, Oak Sports Management, already has a certified MLB agent working in the firm, Jeff Cordova, and they have 21 ball players who they represent. Mike played college baseball in Florida, with the Brevard College Titans, who are coached by Ernie Rosseau. He has 700 wins as a junior college bench boss. Mike is certainly quite ambitious, as he is not only starting out as an agent, but he also plays professional baseball for the Brantford Red Sox of the Intercounty Baseball League, in southern Ontario.
Those who make it in any venture, all have to learn to accept, and overcome adversity as well as failure. A background in baseball as a player, is certainly the right one for this line of work, where very good hitters in the sport fail 7 out of every 10 trips to the batter’s box. Many of the names may not be familiar, but Mike’s agency already has a few ball players, who are close to getting their shot at the Major League level. For a young man in a field that is dominated by some of the most powerful and influential individuals in sports, like Scott Boras, with about 175 clients, this is a pretty good beginning to his career choice.
Some of those who are close to the major league level, and might be there this season or next include: Mark Shorey, outfielder with the Cardinals AAA affiliate, the Memphis Redbirds, where he hit .291 last season. Ben Swaggerty is a LHP at the AA level with the Royals, and was the pitcher of the year in their organization last year. Others in the Oak Sports Management camp who have big league stuff, include Blue Jays LHP prospect Frank Gailey, currently ranked by Baseball America as the top ranked left handed reliever in the Jays organization. Outfielder Shannon Wilkerson, was an 8th round pick of the Red Sox, and is said to be of Major League caliber, according to scouts who Bonanno speaks with. Others who you might see at some point, include Justin Freeman, Jake Opitz, Jordan Hotchkiss, and Terrell Alliman.
Anyone who becomes a success in any field, needs a support network and mentoring. Mike has been fortunate to have both. His father, Augie, has spent his entire working life selling cars at the dealership and wholesale level, and has become very successful through his entrepreneurial efforts. Speaking of hard work, his mother Carm,is often at Pearson International Airport by 4 am,working for United Airlines and Air Canada. Mike is grateful that some of the heavyweights among the hockey sports agents, Don Meehan and Pat Morris of Newport Sports Management, representing more than 100 NHL players, took the time to give him some advice about working in this field. As a youngster, Mike looked up to former Blue Jays super second baseman, Roberto Alomar, among the very best to ever play the position, as the winner of a record 10 gold gloves, along with 4 silver slugger awards. Bonanno was inspired to be in the sport, by that era of Toronto Blue Jays, having been able to attend some of the 1993 World Series games against the Phillies at the Skydome, now named the Rogers Centre.
Mike’s 20 year old sister, Tasha, is a competitive Equestrian rider, who has been hampered in her academic undertakings, by post concussion syndrome, after being kicked in the head by a horse a few years ago. Although unable to complete her schooling for the time being, she is still allowed to ride horses in competition. Being as ambitious as her brother, Tasha also writes daily updates for Mike on all of the athletes represented by Oak Sports, as well as scouting other players for the company. According to Michael, Tasha is fully capable of assembling a proper scouting report, that evaluates strengths and weaknesses for any ball player, at any level of the game.
It will be fascinating to see how things evolve for Mike Bonanno. He is certainly in an occupation where the odds are stacked against him, because the competition is so fierce. But that’s what is also inspiring about him, the no fear of failure like attitude, with a strong support network of devoted parents, and the type of experience in that sport,that develops the thick skin and perseverance that is essential, in order to survive and hopefully succeed. Based on his work ethic, and his attentive approach towards his undertaking , I think that his story, will be that of the local boy who makes it big, in the big leagues of sports representation. I’m already looking forward to writing about the next chapter in his climb up the latter of life, and being able to say I knew him when he was just getting started.