In 1990, the Atlanta Braves selected Chipper Jones with the first pick overall of the June MLB Draft. He wound up being a first-ballot MLB Hall of Famer in 2018.
Fifty-seven rounds and 1,392 players later in that draft, the Braves took Brad Riddle from Morton College. If there's a Hall of Fame for good people, Riddle's a first-ballot candidate.
Whether it's 30 years ago or the present, the impression Riddle leaves on others is a positive one.
"Everybody's favorite seemed to be Brad," remembers George Seibel, Riddle's baseball coach at Morton College. "He was really nice to everyone. He treated everyone with respect and dignity."
Seibel, a retired faculty member in Morton College's Law Enforcement program, always was the first person his teaching peers would hunt down if a baseball player turned up deficient in the deportment department. With Brad, that never was the case.
"He was just the nicest kid," Seibel said. "I'd get stopped in the hallway by Brad's instructors just to say what a good student and nice individual he was. Brad's always been a special human being."
Brad currently works in the physical education department for the Gwinnett County Public Schools, located north of metro Atlanta and the state of Georgia's largest school district. He also is involved with game-day operations for football, men's and women's basketball and baseball at Georgia Tech where Riddle's duties range from guest services to video coordinator.
Riddle's also been part of the behind-the-scenes crew when Atlanta hosted the NCAA Sweet 16 in 2018 and the 2025 Elite Eight. He's thankful for the opportunity to work with the Atlanta Braves during their World Series championship run in 2021.
Three years ago, Riddle wrote a book about his experiences from growing up on Chicago's South Side to playing professional baseball to coaching and scouting and more. It's something Riddle, who played baseball at Morton College from 1989 to 1991, never envisioned doing.
But Riddle's late mother and grandmother knew his story was book worthy. He says their strength, wisdom and unconditional love carried him forward. He wants readers to find encouragement, hope and a renewed passion for their own dreams.
"My mom helped me with the book," said Riddle, who turns 55 on September 8th. "She told me to do something with my story and stay the course with it."
Riddle's book, "My Life – On and Off the Diamond," serves as an inspirational story. Riddle has been interviewed by a number of Atlanta media outlets about the book, which is available on Amazon. Plus, the Gwinnett County Board of Education approved his book for use in the school system.
"My book is a heartfelt reflection of my journey through the challenges of life, the highs and lows of the game and the values that shaped me along the way," Riddle said. "I want to motivate young people, encourage dreamers all of ages and remind everyone that setbacks do not define us, but how we respond to them does."
He grew up around 61st and Ada and attended Englewood High School in Chicago where Riddle played varsity baseball for four years. His commute to Morton College in Cicero consisted of taking two L trains and two buses.
"It took a long time to get there, but I made the sacrifice," Riddle recounted. "I was determined to get there. I remember everyone at Morton College was welcoming and kind to me."
Seibel was instrumental in recruiting Riddle to Morton College. At that time, Seibel was the associate coach in Riddle's first year to Wally Reynolds and the head coach the following season.
"He was a glider in center field and light on his feet," Seibel recalled. "He was really, really athletic as a player. He had an accurate arm and good outfield instincts."
Riddle was a hidden gem because his high school didn't play a lot of games.
"When I saw him at Wrigley Field in a CPS (Chicago Public Schools) all-star game, my eyes popped out," Seibel said.
Not only were Reynolds and Seibel outstanding coaches, but also great salesmen. High school prospects and college transfers weren't coming to Morton College for the facilities, but the opportunity to play at the next level.
Riddle was among four Panthers during that time frame to get a taste of professional baseball. There also were nine players who moved on to the NCAA Division I level as the Panthers were 56-27 in Riddle's two years.
He hit .414 as a freshman and was drafted by the Braves, but opted to return to Morton College for his sophomore year where Riddle posted a .434 batting average. He also was all-Skyway Conference First Team and all-Region 4 Second Team.
The outfield for the 1991 Panthers may go down as the school's all-time best with Riddle in center, Bob Murray in left and Barry Garrett in right. All three were capable of running a 6.5 60. Murray and Garrett would have been the starting center fielders in any other season.
"He (Seibel) saw me play," Riddle recalled. "He liked the way I played and told me, 'We can work with you. If you come here, you'll have a chance to play at the next level.' Everything coach Seibel said came true. He kept his word and I'm thankful for that.
"If it wasn't for Morton College, I wouldn't have had the chance to play professional baseball. It's something they can't take away from you."
Riddle signed with the Braves after his sophomore year. He reported to the Braves' Rookie team in Gulf Coast and hit .269 in 26 at-bats before being released. Four years later, Riddle had a brief stint in Independent ball with the Greenwood Grizzlies.
"Brad really caught a bad deal with the Braves," Seibel recalled. "We've stayed in touch over the years and he's never complained once. That's just the kind of human being he is."
Riddle also was the head baseball coach at Claflin University, scouted for the Kansas City Royals and went back to school to earn his bachelor's degree from National Louis University before getting into teaching.
"Brad's like a magnet for other people," Seibel recalled. "He pops back up with the Braves and guys from 30 years ago remember him. They have all the respect in the world for him because of the human being he is."
