It means everything to Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mickey Moniak.

That’s why an Aug. 3 tweet by Associated Press reporter Greg Beacham said it all: “North County native Mickey Moniak on joining the Angels and likely playing a lot: ‘The one thing I (want) is an opportunity, and to be so close to home with family and friends, it’s just the cherry on top. My family’s fired up. All my friends, grandparents, aunts, uncles.'”

F.O.E. is tattooed — among other things as a sleeve — on Moniak’s right arm. It stands for “Family Over Everything.”

Family — you might say it’s his superpower. Like Popeye’s spinach.

Los Angeles Angels’ outfielder Mickey Moniak, and grandson of Youngsville graduate and Warren County Sports Hall of Famer Bill Moniak, displays his “F.O.E.” tattoo on his right arm. “Family Over Everything” means even more playing an hour from home for the Angels. Photo submitted to the Times Observer

“It’s huge,” Moniak said of the summer MLB trade deadline deal that sent him from the Philadelphia Phillies to Los Angeles Angels.

“Yep. Mickey lives on Mission Bay, San Diego in the offseason,” said his grandpa, Bill Moniak, who also lives in the San Diego area after growing up in Youngsville.

“(Mickey) now plays 60 miles north, not 3,000 miles in Philly,” said Papa Bill. “We all love it. But pulling for the Phillies for the World Series.”

That was before the Houston Astros beat the Phillies in six games to win the 2022 World Series title.

Even so, it said a lot when, in the franchise Mickey has been a part of since he was the No. 1 pick in the draft in 2016, his former teammates “voted him a two-thirds share of all playoff money,” said Bill. “It will be large. I remember back in the day — $10,000 to the winning team, and $5,000 losers. It was big money back then.”

Mickey Moniak displaying his love for baseball at a young age. Photo submitted to the Times Observer

Back then was 1959 when Bill, Youngsville High School sports stud and son of Tony and Ruth Moniak, signed with the Boston Red Sox minor league system. A strapping left-handed hitter that used to play at Wilder Field, Bill had major league scouts visit their home on Fifth Street.

Over 60 years later, what makes Bill most proud is the fact Mickey made it. The first pick of the 2016 MLB First-Year Player Draft — at $6.1 million — notwithstanding, McKenzie Matthew “Mickey” Moniak is a Major Leaguer.

Moniak never reached his full potential with the Philadelphia Phillies. He appeared in just 47 games for the organization over the last three seasons before they shipped him to the Los Angeles Angels as part of a trade deadline deal.

The Angels hope the change of scenery and consistent playing time will allow the 24-year-old Moniak to realize that word — potential.

Not many can say they’ve played alongside the likes of Bryce Harper, Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani. But, for Mickey, it’s always been about just playing baseball — a game he’s loved since birth.

Pictured is a custom bat autographed by Youngsville graduate Bill Moniak and his grandson, Mickey, who now plays for the Los Angeles Angels. Photo submitted to the Times Observer

“He’s never been without a baseball bat or glove in his hand since he was 3 years old,” said his grandfather.

In his first four games with the Halos, Mickey hit two homers. In his fifth game, on a drag bunt, the pitch hit his middle finger and fractured his left hand. A few weeks later, Moniak was sent to Triple-A Salt Lake City for rehab. After a single, double and triple in two games, he was brought back, played through the pain, but was hit by a pitch again on the same finger, ending his season.

Three major injuries suffered in 2022 — starting with a fractured hand on the last at bat of spring training after earning the starting center field job for the Phillies. He had earned it, hitting six homers in 13 spring games.

Bouncing back and forth from the Phillies minor league system and the big club didn’t deter his love of the game. In fact, not being able to play during COVID and extended absences due to injury have made him realize how much he loves it.

His goal for 2023 and beyond is “staying healthy,” he said. With that, he has the opportunity to start the 2023 season in the same outfield as Trout and same lineup as Ohtani.

Being 45 minutes from home doesn’t hurt, said the La Costa Canyon High School graduate from Encinitis, Calif. “Most of my family is in the San Diego area. The biggest thing, having family around helps by making the baseball life a life more normal.”

His East Coast family has helped while he was away.

For example, his aunt Sharon Persing and cousin Kellie Blasco sat in the center field seats at Progressive Field in Cleveland when Mickey played center for the Angels, wearing their custom “Moniak Fans” T-shirts. He doubled and homered in four at-bats.

Despite playing minutes from friends and family at Angels Stadium of Anaheim, Mickey said an August 2019 Double-A game at UPMC Park in Erie “might have been more family and friends than what I’ve ever gotten here.”

He didn’t know half of them, but Bill’s family and friends are Mickey’s family and friends.

Mickey was 12 or 13 years old when Bill took him along to meet some of his friends and family at the Sugar Grove Rod & Gun Club.

Twelve years later, while visiting his grandfather for dinner, he listens to stories about family and Youngsville and his Papa.

They talk “all the time,” said Bill. “Or he’s here.”

F.O.E.