Rob Picciolo, a former middle infielder and a longtime coach who spent two decades in the Padres' system, died on Wednesday. He was 64.
"The San Diego Padres are deeply saddened by the news of the unexpected passing of Rob Picciolo," a statement from the Padres read. "Peach dedicated a decade and a half to our organization and was a tremendous asset as a coach, but more significantly, as a person. We send our heartfelt sympathy to the entire Picciolo family during this difficult time."
Picciolo immediately began coaching after a playing career with the A's, Brewers and Angels ended in 1985. He continued for 27 years, during which he occupied various positions with the Padres at both the Major and Minor league levels. In the big leagues, Picciolo spent time as San Diego's first-base coach (1990-92), bench coach (1993-2002), and third-base coach (2003- 05).
He also spent seven seasons coaching in the Angels' system, mostly notably as Mike Scioscia's bench coach from 2010-13.
A first-round pick by the A's in the secondary phase of the 1975 Draft, Picciolo was a versatile infielder. He went on to hit .234/.246/.312 with 17 home runs and 109 RBIs over nine seasons. He spent the first five seasons of his career with Oakland before being traded to Milwaukee in 1982, where he backed up Robin Yount and reached his only World Series.
Picciolo signed with the Angels in 1984 before ending his playing career back in Oakland the following season.