Robby Thompson
{{Infobox MLB player |name=Robby Thompson |position=Second baseman |bats=Right |throws=Right |birthdate=May 10, 1962 |birthplace=Template:City-state Robert Randall Thompson (born May 10, 1962 in West Palm Beach, Florida) is a retired baseball infielder with an 11 year career from 1986 to 1996. He graduated from Forest Hill Community High School in West Palm Beach and the University of Florida.
He played his entire career with the San Francisco Giants of the National League. In 1986, he was second in voting for MLB Rookie of the Year. During his eleven-year career, Thompson played 10,720 innings at second base and one inning at shortstop. He was elected to the National League All-Star team twice (1988 and 1993). He led the National League in triples in 1989 with 11. He won the Willie Mac Award in 1991, honoring his spirit and leadership.
Thompson's best year statistically was in 1993 when he had career highs in batting average (.312), home runs (19) and RBIs (65). Late in the season that year, Thompson's cheek bone broke when he was hit by a pitch by Trevor Hoffman on September 24, 1993. And during spring training of 1994, Thompson was hit on the top part of his batting helmet by pitcher Mike Harkey of the Colorado Rockies. Thompson later stated the beanings were on his mind when he batted during games.[1][2] Though Thompson managed to return and play for a few more seasons, he was never able to repeat his career numbers after returning from the disabled list. He played his last game on September 22, 1996.
Thompson was known for the well-used baseball glove he played with for almost his entire career.[3] Thompson was offended when the San Francisco Chronicle printed a story titled, Thompson's Ugly, Pathetic Glove is a Gem.[3] His team mate, Rich Aurelia, who played at shortstop next to Thompson said,"I think by the time Robby was done, the glove mainly consisted of pine tar and chew spit."[3]
See also
References
- ^ Kurkjian, Tim. "Missing Persons". www.sportsillustrated.cnn.com. June 6 1994
- ^ Harding, Thomas. "Giants Hunt Heads, Bag Win". Gazette, The (Colorado Springs). June 28, 2000.
- ^ a b c For The Love of a Glove, by Larry Stone, Baseball Digest, August 2004, Vol. 63, No. 8, ISSN 0005-609X
External links
- Career statistics and player information from Baseball Reference
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- 1962 births
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