Robby Thompson spent his entire career as one of the best second basemen in the National League, although it rarely felt that way nationally. He came up in an era ruled by Ryne Sandberg, whose star power and awards often eclipsed the quieter excellence happening in San Francisco. Giants fans saw it clearly, though: Thompson was the glue of the infield, a player who handled tough hops, worked deep counts, and found ways to help the team win even when attention went elsewhere.

He earned two All-Star selections, a Gold Glove, and a Silver Slugger, and in 1991 he hit for the cycle. By the time he retired, he held most of the franchise records for second basemen, from games played to home runs. His 1993 season, when he got on base at a .375 clip while anchoring the top of the order, showed how much value he provided beyond the box scores.

After his playing days, Thompson stayed in the game as a respected coach. He worked as a first-base and infield coach for the Giants and later joined the Mariners’ staff, eventually serving as Seattle’s interim manager for part of 2013. Players spoke highly of his attention to detail and his ability to make fundamentals feel simple.

Robby Thompson spent a decade overshadowed by a legend, but he left behind a legacy of his own: toughness, consistency, and the kind of baseball intelligence that keeps teams steady for years at a time.