It’s typical for Miami Marlins players to spend their offseasons away from South Florida. Most of them have friends and families outside of baseball who remain in their cozy communities, even when a loved one makes it to the big leagues. So the players choose to “go home” for the holidays rather than try to recreate that experience in the Magic City.
For shortstop JT Riddle, that special place is Frankfort, Kentucky. Years before April’s MLB debut, he was already a significant figure in the area.
In 2010, Riddle became the first Western Hills High School player ever selected in the amateur draft (35th round by Boston Red Sox).