The Pittsburgh Pirates today confirmed the passing of former outfielder and coach Bob Skinner on Monday, May 4. He was 94 years old.
“As a member of the 1960 World Series championship team, Bob was an important part of one of the most beloved teams in our storied history and helped deliver a moment that will forever be woven into the fabric of our city,” said Pirates Chairman Bob Nutting. “Bob was a talented player, a proud Pirate and a respected member of the baseball community. On behalf of the entire Pirates organization, we extend our deepest condolences to Bob’s family, friends and all those who knew and loved him.”
Skinner made his Major League debut with the Pirates in 1954 and played nine of his 12 seasons with Pittsburgh.
A World Series champion with the Bucs in 1960, Skinner was also a two-time All-Star in 1958 and 1960. In 1958, he started 141 games in left field and had a career-high .321 batting average with 13 home runs, 70 RBI, 93 runs, 12 stolen bases and an .879 OPS. Skinner was the starting left fielder in the All-Star Game that season.
Skinner also spent two seasons with Cincinnati (1963-64) and three seasons with St. Louis (1964-66) before retiring as a player. He served as a minor league manager and coach in the Phillies minor league system and posted a 92-123 record in parts of two seasons as Philadelphia’s manager in 1968-69.
After serving as a coach with San Diego from 1969-73, Skinner returned to the Pirates as their Batting Coach from 1974-76. He also coached with the Padres in 1977 and the Angels in 1978 prior to a seven-year stint on Pittsburgh’s coaching staff as Batting Coach and Third Base Coach for the 1985 season. During this tenure with the Bucs, Skinner was a member of the 1979 World Series champion team.
Skinner is survived by his wife, Joan, sons Mark, Craig, Drew and Joel, along with eight grandchildren.