Robby Thompson

Robert Randall Thompson (born May 10, 1962) is an American former professional baseball player and coach. He played his entire career in Major League Baseball (1986–1996) as the second baseman for the San Francisco Giants. During the Giants' resurgence in the late 1980s, he was known as a team leader who played the game with a gritty determination.[1] Thompson most recently served as the bench coach for the Seattle Mariners, for the 2011 through 2013 seasons.

This article is about the Major League Baseball player and coach. For the Australian rules footballer, see Robbie Thompson. For the Minor League Baseball player and coach, see Rob Thomson. For other people, see Robert Thompson (disambiguation) and Robert Thomson (disambiguation).
Robby Thompson
Thompson with the Seattle Mariners in 2013
Second baseman
Born: (1962-05-10) May 10, 1962
West Palm Beach, Florida
Batted: Right Threw: Right
MLB debut
April 8, 1986, for the San Francisco Giants
Last MLB appearance
September 22, 1996, for the San Francisco Giants
MLB statistics
Batting average.257
Home runs119
Runs batted in458
Teams
Career highlights and awards

Early life

Thompson was born in West Palm Beach, Florida.[2] He attended Forest Hill Community High School in West Palm Beach, where he played high school baseball for the Forest Hill Falcons. Thompson received an athletic scholarship to attend the University of Florida in 1983 where he played for coach Jack Rhine's Florida Gators baseball team. He was drafted by the San Francisco Giants in the first round of the 1983 Major League Baseball draft, and decided to forgo his remaining NCAA eligibility.[3] In 1985, while playing for the Shreveport Captains in the Texas League, he posted a .261 batting average along with 9 home runs and was named to the league All-Star team.[4][5]

MLB playing career

Thompson made his major league debut with the Giants on April 8, 1986, at the age of 24.[2] In June, he became the first player in major league history to be caught stealing four times in one game (three occurred during attempted hit and run plays).[6] Despite his rocky start, Thompson ended the season with a .271 batting average as the Giants leadoff hitter and provided steady defense.[2] He won the Sporting News Rookie of the Year Award and finished second to Todd Worrell in the 1986 National League Rookie of the Year Award.[7][8] Thompson had to undergo surgery at the end of the season to have cartilage removed from his right knee.[9]

Thompson continued to perform well defensively in 1987, teaming up with Giants shortstop José Uribe to form one of the best double play combinations in baseball, and helped the Giants lead the major leagues with 183 double plays.[10] The Giants clinched the National League Western Division title by six games over the Cincinnati Reds.[11] In the 1987 National League Championship Series, Thompson played in pain with a bulging disc but still played well defensively helping the Giants set a playoff record with 10 double plays.[9][10] He also hit 1 home run and had 2 runs batted in as the Giants were defeated by the St. Louis Cardinals in a seven-game series.[12]

In 1988, Thompson was hitting above .300 at mid-season to earn a spot as a reserve on the 1988 National League All-Star team.[13][14] Unfortunately, he was once again plagued by an injury and had to miss the game due to a pinched nerve in his leg.[15] Brett Butler took over as the Giants leadoff hitter and Thompson, as the new number two hitter in the batting order, struggled to make contact, striking out 111 times and ending the year with a .264 average.[2]

In 1989, Thompson's batting average dropped to .241. However, he led the National League with 11 triples and scored a career-high 91 runs while hitting ahead of Will Clark and Kevin Mitchell in the batting order.[2][16] The Giants once again won the Western Division crown and faced the Chicago Cubs in the 1989 National League Championship Series.[17] Thompson hit 2 home runs in the series including a game-winning two-run home run in Game 3 as the Giants went on to win the series in five games.[18][19] Thompson was held to only one hit in the 1989 World Series against the Oakland Athletics as the Giants were swept in four straight games.[20]

Thompson's best year statistically was in 1993 when he was hitting for a .325 average at mid-season to earn his second All-Star selection; however, a leg injury would once again force him to miss the game.[21][22][23] The Giants had a nine-game lead on August 11 but faltered in September and were caught by the Atlanta Braves, though by no fault of Thompson, who increased his offensive output late in the season including a period in August where he hit home runs in five consecutive games.[21][24] With 10 games left in the season on September 24, Thompson suffered a broken cheek bone when he was hit by a pitch thrown by Trevor Hoffman of the San Diego Padres. He missed 8 games due to the injury, but with the Giants and Braves tied for first place Thompson returned to play the final game of the season.[21] Despite his determination, playing with a bloodshot eye and wearing a clear plastic mask in the field, the Giants lost the National League West on the last day of the season.[24][25]

Thompson ended the season with career highs in batting average (.312), doubles (30), home runs (19) and runs batted in (65).[2] Although Thompson was one of the best fielding second basemen in the National League, he was often overlooked in post-season awards because his playing career coincided with that of Baseball Hall of Fame second baseman Ryne Sandberg.[26] By 1993, Sandberg was past his prime and Thompson finally received recognition when he won the Gold Glove Award for fielding excellence and the Silver Slugger Award, which is awarded annually to the best offensive player at each position.[27][28] He was rewarded by the Giants in November when he signed a three-year contract for $12 million, making him the second-highest paid second baseman in baseball after Ryne Sandberg.[29]

During spring training in 1994, Thompson received a scare when he was hit on the left ear flap of his batting helmet by pitcher Mike Harkey of the Colorado Rockies.[30] Thompson later stated the two beanings by Hoffman and Harkey were on his mind when he batted during games.[31][32] In May, he went onto the disabled list and missed almost two months of the season.[33] He returned in late June, but played in only seven games before undergoing surgery on his right shoulder and missed the rest of the season.[34] Thompson's injuries continued to hamper his playing time in 1995 and in September he had to undergo surgery again, this time on his left shoulder.[35] He returned to play in 1996 but injuries continued to take their toll as he appeared in only 63 games.[2][1] Thompson played his last major league game on September 22, 1996, at the age of 34.[2]

Thompson was known for the well-used baseball glove with which he played for almost his entire career.[36] He was offended when the San Francisco Chronicle printed a story titled, "Thompson's Ugly, Pathetic Glove is a Gem."[36] His teammate, Rich Aurilia, who played at shortstop next to Thompson near the end of his career said, "I think by the time Robby was done, the glove mainly consisted of pine tar and chew spit. I don't even know how much leather was left in it. I know for a fact Robby still has that glove."[36]

Career statistics

In an eleven-year major league career Thompson played in 1,304 games, accumulating 1,187 hits in 4,612 at bats for a .257 career batting average along with 119 home runs, 458 runs batted in and a .329 on-base percentage.[2] He led the National League in triples in 1989 with 11 and he finished his career with a .983 fielding percentage.[2] Thompson led National League second basemen in double plays for three consecutive seasons from 1990 to 1992.[37] He hit for the cycle in a game on April 22, 1991.[38]

A two-time All-Star, Thompson was the recipient of one Gold Glove Award and one Silver Slugger Award. He won the Willie Mac Award in 1991, honoring his spirit and leadership.[39] At the time of his retirement, Thompson was the all-time leader among Giants second basemen in games (1,304), at bats (4,612), runs (671), hits (1,187), doubles (238), triples (39), home runs (119), runs batted in (458), stolen bases (103), fielding percentage (.983) and double plays (873).[1][40]

Coaching career

Thompson served as the Giants first base coach in 2000 and 2001.[1] He was hired by the Cleveland Indians as a first base coach in December 2001.[41] In 2003, he was promoted to special assistant to the Cleveland Indians' general manager before returning to the field in June 2005 as the Indians' bench coach.[42] In November 2010, Thompson was hired by the Seattle Mariners as their bench coach.[43] On July 22, 2013, Thompson began serving as interim manager while Eric Wedge recovered from a minor stroke. Thompson returned to his role as bench coach on August 23, 2013.[44] On November 1, 2013, Thompson was fired by the organization.[45]

See also

References
  1. Johanson, Matt (2007). San Francisco Giants (Game of My Life). ISBN 9781596701779. Retrieved 5 March 2011.
  2. "Robby Thompson statistics". Baseball Reference. Retrieved 2 March 2011.
  3. "1983 Major League Baseball draft, First Round". thebaseballcube.com. Retrieved 2 March 2011.
  4. "Robby Thompson minor league statistics". Baseball Reference. Retrieved 2 March 2011.
  5. "Area Pro Report". Gainesville Sun. 21 July 1985. p. 19. Retrieved 1 March 2011.
  6. "Thompson Sets Wrong Mark". Rome News-Tribune. Associated Press. 29 June 1986. p. 19. Retrieved 1 March 2011.
  7. "Schmidt, Mattingly selected top players". Reading Eagle. 22 October 1986. p. 44. Retrieved 2 March 2011.
  8. "1986 National League Rookie of the Year Award". Baseball Reference. Retrieved 2 March 2011.
  9. "Getting back on top helps ease the pain for former Falcon". The Palm Beach Post. 13 October 1987. p. 1. Retrieved 2 March 2011.
  10. "Thompson Doubles Pleasure". Lewiston Morning Tribune. Associated Press. 7 October 1987. p. 6. Retrieved 2 March 2011.
  11. "1987 National League Team Statistics and Standings". Baseball Reference. Retrieved 2 March 2011.
  12. "1987 National League Championship Series". Baseball Reference. Retrieved 2 March 2011.
  13. "1988 Robby Thompson batting log". Baseball Reference. Retrieved 2 March 2011.
  14. "1988 All-Star Game". Baseball Reference. Retrieved 2 March 2011.
  15. "Injury means Thompson not an All-Star". The Modesto Bee. Bee News Services. 11 July 1988. p. 3. Retrieved 2 March 2011.
  16. "NLCS Matchups". The Milwaukee Journal. 4 October 1989. p. 4. Retrieved 2 March 2011.
  17. "1989 San Francisco Giants". Baseball Reference. Retrieved 2 March 2011.
  18. "1989 National League Championship Series". Baseball Reference. Retrieved 2 March 2011.
  19. "Thompson's 2-run blast wins for Giants". Rock Hill Herald. Associated Press. 8 October 1989. p. 1. Retrieved 2 March 2011.
  20. "1989 World Series". Baseball Reference. Retrieved 2 March 2011.
  21. "1993 Robby Thompson batting log". Baseball Reference. Retrieved 2 March 2011.
  22. "1993 All-Star Game". Baseball Reference. Retrieved 3 March 2011.
  23. "Thompson uncertain about All-Star Game". Lodi News-Sentinel. McClatchy News Service. 10 July 1993. p. 13. Retrieved 3 March 2011.
  24. "1993 San Francisco Giants". Baseball Reference. Retrieved 3 March 2011.
  25. "Bonds not the cause of San Francisco's downfall". The Post and Courier. Associated Press. 5 October 1993. p. 4. Retrieved 3 March 2011.
  26. Cunningham, Bob (July 1995). Middle Infielders Discuss Techniques of 'Turning Two'. Baseball Digest. Retrieved 5 March 2011.
  27. "1993 Gold Glove Award Winners". Baseball Reference. Retrieved 3 March 2011.
  28. "1993 Silver Slugger Award Winners". Baseball Reference. Retrieved 3 March 2011.
  29. "Giants sign Robby Thompson". Lodi News-Sentinel. Associated Press. 15 November 1993. p. 15. Retrieved 3 March 2011.
  30. "Jordan's agonizing wait for 1st hit ends against Twins". The Milwaukee Journal. Journal Wire Reports. 15 March 1994. p. 2. Retrieved 3 March 2011.
  31. Kurkjian, Tim. "Missing Persons". www.sportsillustrated.cnn.com. June 6, 1994
  32. Harding, Thomas. "Giants Hunt Heads, Bag Win". Gazette, The (Colorado Springs). June 28, 2000.
  33. "1994 Robby Thompson batting log". Baseball Reference. Retrieved 3 March 2011.
  34. "Thompson out for year". Sarasota Herald Tribune. 9 July 1994. p. 4. Retrieved 3 March 2011.
  35. "Bonds Messes Up Several Times As Pirates Nip Giants". The Vindicator. 18 September 1995. p. 3. Retrieved 5 March 2011.
  36. Stone, Larry (August 2004). For The Love of a Glove. Baseball Digest. Retrieved 2 March 2011.
  37. Stone, Larry (December 1993). In '93, Robby Thompson Came of Age As A Clutch Hitter. Baseball Digest. Retrieved 5 March 2011.
  38. "Thompson Hits For Cycle; Giants Still Lose 7-5". The Albany Herald. Associated Press. 23 April 1991. p. 3. Retrieved 3 March 2011.
  39. "Willie Mac Award Winners". Baseball Almanac. Retrieved 19 October 2010.
  40. "Giants buy out Robby Thompson". Lodi News-Sentinel. Associated Press. 4 October 1996. p. 16. Retrieved 3 March 2011.
  41. "Red Sox acquire Reese, Burkett". Herald Journal. Associated Press. 19 December 2001. p. 4. Retrieved 3 March 2011.
  42. "Indians hire Robby Thompson as interim bench coach". Channel3000.com. 4 June 2005. Archived from the original on 8 July 2011. Retrieved 3 March 2011.
  43. "Mariners add Chambliss, Thompson to coach staff". Seattle Times. 4 November 2010. Archived from the original on 28 June 2011. Retrieved 3 March 2011.
  44. Eaton, Nick. "Skipper Eric Wedge Couldn't Watch Mariners on TV for 9 Innings". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Retrieved August 23, 2013.
  45. "Mariners fire bench coach Robby Thompson, reassign Jeff Datz – Mariners blog – Seattle Times". blogs.seattletimes.com. Retrieved 12 January 2014.

Further reading
Achievements
Preceded by
George Brett		 Hitting for the cycle
April 22, 1991		 Succeeded by
Paul Molitor
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