Johnny Holliday

Jim Riggleman...a class act

by Johnny Holliday

So there I was standing by the batting cage before the Nats-Marlins game.

One of our newest coaches, bench coach Jim Riggleman walked by. I nodded in his direction, and he replied how are you Mr Holliday.

I was somewhat taken back that he even knew who I was, much less calling me MR. HOLLIDAY!

I had known of Jim's terrific athletic career at Richard Montgomery High School In Rockville, as well as his playing days at Frostburg State where he's a member of the school's athletic Hall of Fame. I was pleased to know that he had listened to me when I did the morning show at WWDC during his high school days.

What Jim brings to this ballclub is a whole lot of experience, after having managed in the minor leagues for 10 years and in the majors for eight. With Jim at the helm in 1998, the Chicgao Cubs won 90 games and won the NL Wild Card.

This is his 17th season as a coach or manager at the big league level.

Jim still has ties to the DC area with his Mom and brother close by. We were kidding about who was more popular coming out of Richard Montgomery, Jim Riggleman or another pretty fair athlete, Mike Curtis, the former Baltimore linebacker.

Jim's response: no question, Mike Curtis--he was older.

Welcome home Jim. We hope you're here for a long time.