Jerrod Riggan: Early 2000's Mets Relief Pitcher (2000 - 2001)

Jerrod Ashley Riggan was born May 16th, 1974, in Brewster, Washington. The six three right hander attended San Diego State University eventually getting signed by the Anaheim Angels in 1996.

In 1998 the Angels released him & he was signed by the New York Mets that summer. In 1998 Riggan went 4-1 at A ball Capitol City moving up to the St. Lucie Mets the following year. By 2000 he was pitching as the closer at AA Binghamton, where he saved 28 games going 2-0 with a 1.11 ERA.

That summer he got a surprise called up when a pitcher from AAA Norfolk couldn't make it the trip due to terrible weather in Virginia. The Mets called on Riggan who got the big break.

MLB Debut: On August 29th, Riggan debuted at Shea Stadium, pitching three innings of late relief in an 11-1 blowout loss to the Houston Astros. Jerrod even earned a share of the Mets 2000 NL Champion bonus money.  

2001: Mets Manager Bobby Valentine took a liking to Riggan & he made the staff of the 2001 season. On April 27th, in his first outing he gave up a two run HR to the Cardinals JD Drew & allowed four runs in a Matt Morris combined shut out over the Mets in St. Louis. 

Riggan pitched mostly in middle & late relief, finishing off three Mets losses in May. He would spend time between the Mets & AAA Norfolk thru the summer.

On July 28th, he blew a save against Philadelphia although the Mets came back with a win on Robin Ventura's walk off HR. On July 31st, Riggan served up a 9th inning walk off HR to the Astros Craig Biggio. Two days later he gave up a walk off hit to Moises Alou in another loss at Houston.

On August 18th, he pitched a perfect 7th inning in Los Angeles earning his first career win aided by a Benny Agbayani sac fly to defeat the Dodgers. On August 25th he benefited from a Rey Ordonez walk off single to earn his second victory. 

In the second game back after the return of baseball following the 911 attacks, Riggan got his third win, coming in Pittsburgh pitching 1.1 innings of solid relief. 

He ended the year at 3-3 with four holds, 41 strike outs, 24 walks & a 3.40 ERA in 35 appearances.

Post Mets Career: That December he was traded to the Cleveland Indians along with players to be named later Matt Lawton & Alex Escobar in exchange for Roberto Alomar & Mike Bacsik. 

 

In 2002 with Cleveland, he went 2-1 with 29 appearances. In 2003 he pitched in just two games before getting released & resigning with the Mets. He was released a few weeks later & resigned with them again in 2005. In 2005 he pitched 14 games at three levels of the Mets minors.

Nippon Pro Baseball: In 2003 he went on to pitch two seasons with the Hanshin Tigers of Nippon Pro Baseball in Japan.

Retirement: In his four-year MLB career Riggan was 5-4 with a 5.19 ERA, allowing eight HRs allowed with 66 strike outs & 43 walks in 67 games pitched. 

After his playing days he became a pitching coach with the Alaska Goldpanners of Fairbanks.

Family: Jerrod & his wife Jennifer have three children. Their son Turk was named after Mets reliever Turk Wedell when the two were teammates.