Mets name Riggleman bench coach
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NEW YORK -- When Mickey Callaway first stepped into the Mets' dugout last Opening Day, he and his coaching staff had zero games of managerial experience on their combined resume. The team made a move to correct that on Monday, hiring longtime manager Jim Riggleman as their bench coach. Riggleman replaces Gary DiSarcina, whose role shifted to third-base coach after the season.
"I'm thrilled to be joining the Mets coaching staff," Riggleman said in a statement. "I can't wait to get underway. I think this team has a lot of potential."
Riggleman, 66, not only brings to the Mets a lengthy managerial resume, having managed 1,630 games in the Major Leagues across parts of 13 seasons, but he also brings experience in the National League; in addition to the Mariners, his managerial stints came with the Padres, Cubs, Nationals and, most recently, the Reds in 2018. He took over for Bryan Price as Cincinnati's interim manager on April 19 and guided the Reds to a 64-80 record during his 2018 tenure.
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Callaway had no one with that sort of managerial experience to lean on during his rookie season in the dugout. Early on, he made several mistakes, none more noticeable than the incorrect lineup card he submitted to umpires before a May 9 game in Cincinnati.
"I'm excited to have Jim's knowledge alongside me," Callaway said in a statement. "He'll be a tremendous resource for me and the entire coaching staff."
Riggleman has been involved in professional baseball in a coaching or instructional capacity since 1981 and has spent time on the Major League staffs of the Cardinals, Indians, Dodgers and Mariners, in addition to his managerial stops. He managed the '98 Cubs to a 90-73 record and an NL Wild Card berth before losing to the Braves in the NL Division Series.
Riggleman won't be the only new face in New York's dugout. The Mets are currently interviewing hitting coaches to replace Pat Roessler, who they dismissed earlier this month. The club has also moved DiSarcina to third base, Glenn Sherlock to first base and Ruben Amaro to the front office, where he is serving as a special advisor to new general manager Brodie Van Wagenen.