#115 Robby Thompson

About the Front: Here's my take. Robby Thompson just hit a weak dribbler to the right side of the infield. He's attempting to use Darth Vader's Force Choke to render the opposing second baseman unable to make a play on the ball.

About the Back: Those were the only two grand slams of Robby's career, even though he played into the 1996 season. Baseball, man.

Triple Play:

1. His career year came in 1993, when he batted .312/.375/.496 with 19 home runs and 65 RBI, all career highs, and won his only Gold Glove and Silver Slugger awards. He was already troubled with back problems, and appeared in only 193 games over the next three seasons before walking away from the game.

2. Thompson was born on May 10, and over the course of his career he enjoyed six consecutive multi-hit games on his birthday. In five of those games, he had an extra-base hit.

3. He has worked in various capacities for the Giants, Indians, and Mariners since hanging up his glove and bat. Most recently, Robby spent three seasons as Seattle's bench coach under manager Eric Wedge.

11-Year-Old Kevin Says: I could have sworn that Thompson was an Indian late in his career. Apparently Cleveland invited him to spring training in 1997, but he ultimately retired instead.

Bill James Said: "The best second baseman the Giants have had since they came to the Bay, probably the best they have had since they traded Frankie Frisch in December, 1926."

On This Date in 1993: November 26. The Velvet Underground releases Live MCMXCIII, an album compiled from concert recordings in Paris.