Rob Picciolo

Robert Michael Picciolo

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 2", Weight 185 lb.
• School Santa Monica College, Pepperdine University
• High School Westchester High School (Los Angeles)
• Debut April 9, 1977
• Final Game October 6, 1985
• Born February 4, 1953 in Santa Monica, CA USA
• Died January 3, 2018 in Los Angeles, CA USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Known for his solid defense, shortstop Rob Picciolo played nine seasons in the major leagues, primarily with the Oakland Athletics. Following his playing days, he remained in baseball, most notably as a longtime big league coach.

A Southern California native, Picciolo was drafted three times before being selected by the A's in January 1975. He spent that summer with the Birmingham A's and the following season with the Tucson Toros. He reached the majors in 1977 as Oakland's Opening Day shortstop, and he hit .200 in 148 games in his rookie campaign. Over the next four years, he saw regular playing time with the Athletics. He saw the only postseason action of his career in 1981, going 1-for-3 in the ALDS against the Kansas City Royals and 1-for-5 in the ALCS against the New York Yankees.

Early in the 1982 season, Picciolo was dealt to the Milwaukee Brewers for Mike Warren and Johnny Evans. He had the mixed blessing of being Robin Yount's backup for a year and a half with the team. Although he played sparingly, he did have the opportunity to go the World Series in 1982. He moved on to the California Angels in 1984 and ended his playing career back with the A's in 1985.

Following his playing days, Picciolo managed the Spokane Indians in 1986 and 1987, winning the Northwest League crown in the latter year. After a stint as a roving instructor in the San Diego Padres organization, he was a major league coach for the Padres from 1990 to 2005. He spent the next five years as a roving instructor in the Los Angeles Angels minor league system. In 2011, he was named the Angels bench coach, a role he held through the end of the 2013 season.

Picciolo passed away of a heart attack at age 64 on January 3, 2018.

Year-By-Year Minor League Managerial Record

Year	Team	League	Record	Finish	Organization	Playoffs
1986	Spokane Indians	Northwest League	39-35	5th	San Diego Padres
1987	Spokane Indians	Northwest League	54-22	1st	San Diego Padres	League Champs

Further Reading

• Jeff Sanders: "Longtime Padres coach Rob Picciolo dies at 64", The San Diego Union-Tribune, January 3, 2018. [1]

Related Sites

• Rob Picciolo at the SABR Bio Project