Jim Riggleman’s career in Major League Baseball is characterized by his extensive experience as a manager. Born on November 9, 1952, in Fort Dix, New Jersey, Riggleman embarked on his managerial journey after a brief playing career. Although he never played in the major leagues, his understanding of the game and leadership qualities led him to a long career in managing teams at the highest level.
Riggleman began his managerial career in the minor leagues, where he honed his skills and developed a reputation for his strategic approach to the game. His first major league managerial role came in 1992 when he was appointed as the manager of the San Diego Padres. During his tenure with the Padres, Riggleman worked to develop a young team, though the team struggled to achieve a winning record under his leadership. He managed the Padres until 1994, when he was replaced following a series of disappointing seasons.
In 1995, Riggleman took on the role of manager for the Chicago Cubs. His time with the Cubs was marked by a notable improvement in the team's performance. In 1998, Riggleman led the Cubs to a Wild Card berth, marking the team's first postseason appearance since 1989. Despite this success, the Cubs were swept by the Atlanta Braves in the National League Division Series. Riggleman continued to manage the Cubs until 1999, when he was dismissed following a season that did not meet expectations.
After leaving the Cubs, Riggleman spent several years working as a bench coach and in other coaching roles. He served as the bench coach for the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Cleveland Indians, gaining further experience and insight into the game from different perspectives. In 2008, Riggleman returned to a managerial position when he was named the interim manager of the Seattle Mariners. His stint with the Mariners was short-lived, as he managed the team for only part of the season.
Riggleman’s next significant managerial role came with the Washington Nationals. Initially joining the Nationals as a bench coach in 2009, he was soon promoted to interim manager following the resignation of Manny Acta. Riggleman was later named the full-time manager for the 2010 season. Under his leadership, the Nationals showed signs of improvement, but Riggleman resigned abruptly in June 2011 due to a contract dispute with the team’s management.
In 2015, Riggleman joined the Cincinnati Reds organization as a third base coach. He was later promoted to bench coach, and in April 2018, he was named the interim manager of the Reds following the dismissal of Bryan Price. Riggleman managed the Reds for the remainder of the 2018 season, after which the team decided to hire David Bell as their new manager.
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