Mark Riggins
Encyclopedia
Mark Alan Riggins is the pitching coach
for the Chicago Cubs
of Major League Baseball
.
and played five seasons in the minor leagues, from 1979 to 1983. He debuted with the GCL Cardinals, going 3-1 with a 2.16 ERA in 8 appearances. In 1980, Mark excelled with the St. Petersburg Cardinals. His record was 7-3 with 13 saves and a 1.86 ERA in 57 games. He led the Florida State League
in saves and made the league All-Star team.
Moving up to the Arkansas Travelers
in 1981, Riggins struggled, going 4-6 with one save and a 5.87 ERA. He allowed 109 hits in 89 innings of work. In 1982, Mark became a starter and fared better in a return engagement with Arkansas; his line that year was 10-8, 3.93 and he just missed the Texas League
top 10 in ERA.
In his last year as a player, Riggins spent time with St. Petersburg (4-1, 1.54 in 30 games), the Louisville Redbirds (0-0, 4.85 in 5 games) and the Charlotte O's (0-2, 7.66 in 5 games).
in 1987. He was interim manager of the Louisville Redbirds in 1992 and the St. Louis Cardinals
' pitching coach in 1995. Riggins was the Cardinals' minor league pitching coordinator from 1996 to 2007 and held the same position for the Chicago Cubs
in 2008-2010.
In December 2010, he was named the pitching coach for the Chicago Cubs
for the 2011 season.
Coach (baseball)
In baseball, a number of coaches assist in the smooth functioning of a team. They are assistants to the manager, or head coach, who determines the lineup and decides how to substitute players during the game...
for the Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
of Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
.
Playing career
Riggins attended Murray State UniversityMurray State University
Murray State University, located in the city of Murray, Kentucky, is a four-year public university with approximately 10,400 students. The school is Kentucky’s only public university to be listed in the U.S.News & World Report regional university top tier for the past 20 consecutive years...
and played five seasons in the minor leagues, from 1979 to 1983. He debuted with the GCL Cardinals, going 3-1 with a 2.16 ERA in 8 appearances. In 1980, Mark excelled with the St. Petersburg Cardinals. His record was 7-3 with 13 saves and a 1.86 ERA in 57 games. He led the Florida State League
Florida State League
The Florida State League is a Class A-Advanced minor league baseball league operating in the state of Florida. They are one of three leagues currently operating in Class A-Advanced, the third highest of six classifications of minor leagues...
in saves and made the league All-Star team.
Moving up to the Arkansas Travelers
Arkansas Travelers
The Arkansas Travelers, also known informally as The Travs, are a Minor League Baseball team based in Little Rock, Arkansas. The team, which plays in the Texas League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Major League club....
in 1981, Riggins struggled, going 4-6 with one save and a 5.87 ERA. He allowed 109 hits in 89 innings of work. In 1982, Mark became a starter and fared better in a return engagement with Arkansas; his line that year was 10-8, 3.93 and he just missed the Texas League
Texas League
The Texas League is a minor league baseball league which operates in the South Central United States. It is classified a Double-A league. The league was founded in 1888 and ran through 1892...
top 10 in ERA.
In his last year as a player, Riggins spent time with St. Petersburg (4-1, 1.54 in 30 games), the Louisville Redbirds (0-0, 4.85 in 5 games) and the Charlotte O's (0-2, 7.66 in 5 games).
Coaching career
After his playing days ended, he became a minor league coach. His appearances included a stint with the Springfield CardinalsSpringfield (IL) Cardinals
The Springfield Cardinals were a minor league baseball team located in Springfield, Illinois. The team played in the Midwest League from 1982 to 1993 and was an affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals. The team played in Lanphier Park on the northside of Springfield. Affectionately known as the...
in 1987. He was interim manager of the Louisville Redbirds in 1992 and the St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
' pitching coach in 1995. Riggins was the Cardinals' minor league pitching coordinator from 1996 to 2007 and held the same position for the Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
in 2008-2010.
In December 2010, he was named the pitching coach for the Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
for the 2011 season.