Picciolo spent 20 years in the San Diego Padres organization after a nine-year big league career playing for the Athletics, Brewers, and Angels.

Picciolo was the longest-tenured coach in San Diego Padres history, serving 16 consecutive years between 1990 and 2005.

[2] Picciolo graduated from Westchester High School in 1971, earned a bachelor's degree in journalism and played one season of baseball in Pepperdine University.

He earned All-District honors and helped Pepperdine to first place in the WCC and a spot in the NCAA District Playoffs.

[4] He was survived by his wife Debbie and two sons, Breton and Dustin, who both attended Pepperdine University in Malibu, California.