Bob Skinner, a three-time All-Star outfielder and member of the Pittsburgh Pirates' 1960 World Series championship team, passed away Monday in the San Diego area. He was 94. Skinner's six-decade baseball career included two World Series rings as a player and another as a coach.
Skinner debuted with the Pirates in 1954 after serving in the Marines during the Korean War. Born in La Jolla, California, on Oct. 3, 1931, he became known as one of the league's top left-handed hitters, earning All-Star nods in 1957 and twice in 1960. He started in left field for the National League those years, batting behind Willie Mays each time. In the 1960 World Series against the New York Yankees, Skinner contributed a sacrifice bunt in Game 7 during the Pirates' comeback rally, setting the stage for Bill Mazeroski's walk-off homer. Pirates chairman Bob Nutting said, “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.” With Skinner's death, Vernon Law remains the last surviving member of that squad. He also played for the 1964 champion St. Louis Cardinals and served as hitting coach for the Pirates' 1979 title team. Skinner managed the Philadelphia Phillies from 1968 to 1969 and held various coaching and scouting roles, including with the Houston Astros until 2009. His son Joel, also a former big league manager, called it a “ridiculously long” baseball life, adding, “He touched a lot of people in baseball.” Skinner is survived by his wife Joan, married 62 years, four sons, 11 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.
