After a stint aboard a battleship as a member of the United States Navy Reserve during World War I, Rico was deactivated and hoped to rejoin the Braves for the 1919 season.

[1] His parents were first-generation immigrants to America, with his mother, the former Margaret Monahan, coming from Scotland as an infant and his father, Antonio Fernando Rico, arriving from Spain in 1877.

[2] Rico managed to make the 1916 Braves' squad out of spring training and thereby accomplished the rare feat of going directly to the major leagues to begin his professional baseball career.

[2] Following an injury to starting catcher Hank Gowdy from a foul tip to the hand and a concussion two innings later suffered by backup Walt Tragesser, Rico made his major league debut on July 31, 1916, lining out to left field in his first at bat.

[2] The Braves were speedy in recalling catcher Earl Blackburn from their AA farm club, limiting Rico to two short defensive appearances for the rest of the 1916 season.

[3] An opening emerged with the big league club later in 1917 when Braves starting catcher Hank Gowdy became the first major leaguer to enlist in the military during World War I, joining the National Guard.