Temporary service

SEATTLE – When the Mariners were in Cincinnati in early July, Reds manager Dusty Baker told Robby Thompson he thought he was ready to manage.

The two have been close since Baker was Thompson’s hitting coach, and later his manager, with the Giants. Thompson, in fact, began his coaching career on Baker’s San Francisco staff in 2000 and 2001. Baker told Thompson in July he would be happy to help spread his name around the game as a managerial candidate.

Thompson, who had been Eric Wedge’s bench coach in Seattle since his hiring in 2011, told Baker to hold off, for the time being.

“I want to make sure I’m 100 percent in,” Thompson told Baker. “I don’t know how or when I’m going to know that, but I want to make sure I’m like you and Eric: All in.”

Baker told Thompson that he understood, but when the time was right, he’d know.

And then fate intervened. Less than three weeks later, Thompson found himself thrust into the Mariners’ managerial seat when Wedge was felled with what has been termed a mild stroke. Just a year earlier, Baker had missed time late in the season with what was termed a “mini-stroke.”

While Thompson fully embraces that he is merely keeping the job warm for Wedge’s return – and he stated unequivocally on Sunday that Wedge “will be back” – his stint running the Mariners has helped erase any lingering doubts about his readiness or desire.

“I’ve really enjoyed this, although it’s under unfortunate circumstances, with Eric being sick,” said Thompson, who will continue to manage the Mariners at least through their current six-game trip, which begins Tuesday against the Red Sox at Fenway Park.

“I think it’s going to be a great learning experience for me. I’ll figure out whether I like it, and whether I feel I can do it. And the answer to those two right there: I think I can. Both of them. I think I do want to do it, and I think I can do it. I have a lot of trust and confidence in myself I can do it.”

Thompson, 51, added that if an opportunity arose during the offseason, “I’ll really think hard about it, and maybe go interview. And even if I don’t get a job, I think going through the interview process would be huge. I’ll learn from that for the next time or opportunity. I do think I’m ready.”

That’s an opinion shared throughout the game. Thompson, in fact, was labeled as potential managerial timber throughout his overachieving 11-year career with the Giants, which resulted in two All-Star appearances and a Gold Glove at second base.

When Thompson joined the Cleveland staff in 2002 as Charlie Manuel’s first base and infield coach, he and Wedge first crossed paths. And when Thompson moved to the front office for the next eight years as a special assistant to then-general manager Mark Shapiro, and Wedge replaced Manuel as manager, the two grew closer. In 2005, when Wedge’s bench coach, Buddy Bell, left in June to manage the Royals, Thompson finished the season as the Indians’ bench coach.

Wedge and Thompson share a gritty approach to the game.

“Eric has said before, we’re like two peas in a pod,” Thompson said. “Eric’s a hard-nosed guy. He really does have a kind side to him, and a very generous side. Eric takes care of everyone but Eric. He’s concerned about everyone more so than himself. That includes his players, it includes us as staff, other people in general. He really does have a soft spot.”

Thompson says he loves the Northwest and is excited about the Mariners’ future. His main concern, however, is Wedge’s return to health.

Thompson talked extensively about Wedge’s passion for the Mariners and his job. Asked if that passion will now have to be modified because of the stroke, Thompson replied, “I don’t think the passion will change. But that was a life-changing moment for him.

“We all know that. I think his priorities will maybe change a little bit, but probably not much. His heart, and soul, and passion will still be there, but he may look at things a little differently.

Thompson said he’s already excited to get back from the road trip to assess Wedge’s progress while the team is gone. He will happily hand back over the managerial duties when Wedge is ready to return.

But now Thompson has the firm knowledge that one day, he’d like his own team to run.