2019 Mets Bench Coach: Jim Riggleman (2019)

James David Riggleman was born November 9th 1952 in Fort Dix, New Jersey. The five foot eleven, right handed hitter played mostly as an infielder. He was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1974, moving over to the St. Louis Cardinals organization in 1976. 

He reached the AAA level by the late seventies but never made it to the big leagues. y 1981 his playing career was over at age 28.

He immediately went to coaching & managing in the Cardinal minor leagues. He moved over to the San Diego Padres minor leagues, getting promoted to the AAA level. By 1993 he was promoted to the Padres big league managerial position, after the departure of Greg Riddoch. In his first season, his Friars finished third, then seventh in 1993. The team improved to fourth place in the strike shortened 1994 season. 

After San Diego, he moved over to the Chicago Cubs managing them for five seasons. His best finish was second in 1998, winning 90 games going 90-73. It was Riggleman who led the Cubs to the 1998 NLDS losing to the Atlanta Braves.

Riggleman went on as bench coach under Jim Tracy with the Los Angles Dodgers from 2001-2004. In 2008 he went to Seattle as bench coach under John McLaren and took over as interim manager in June, through the rest of the season. He was not hires to manage the Mariners in 2009.

He served under former Mets coach, Manny Acta as bench coach of the Washington Nationals  in 2009. When Acta was let go, Riggleman was promoted to manager in his place. His Nats finished fifth in both 2009 & 2010. In 2011 he was looking for the Nats to pick up his option on his contract. He claims they didn't acknowledge his request for a meeting. so on June 23rd he resigned., saying at 58 he was too old to be disrespected.

He then moved on to the Cincinnati Reds organization, managing at the AA level there for two seasons. 

He became the Reds third base coach in 2015 & in 2018 was named the clubs manager. The team went 64-80 finishing fifth. He was not retained for 2019.

The New York Mets hired him as a bench coach under manager Mickey Callaway.

Quotes- Mets GM Brodie Van Wagenen: “Jim brings a wealth of experience to the coaching staff. His familiarity with the National League will be a great asset.”

Mets Manager Mickey Callaway: “I’m excited to have Jim’s knowledge alongside me. He’ll be a tremendous resource for me and the entire coaching staff.”

Jim Riggleman: “I look forward to getting started, Getting to Port St Lucie, mixing it up with players and getting to know the coaching staff.  I’m very excited about this opportunity.”