Bob Skinner, a longtime figure in professional baseball who won two World Series titles as a player and another as a coach, died Monday in the San Diego area. He was 94.
Skinner’s career spanned more than six decades and included roles as an All-Star outfielder with the Pittsburgh Pirates and St. Louis Cardinals, manager of the Philadelphia Phillies, and later work as a coach and scout. His son Joel described his father’s time in baseball as a “ridiculously long” life in the sport that touched many people.
“He touched a lot of people in baseball,” Joel Skinner said.
The Pirates organization acknowledged Skinner’s passing by noting his contributions to their championship teams: “We are saddened to relay the news of the passing of former Pirates outfielder and coach Bob Skinner. Skinner was a member of the 1960 World Series Championship Pirates and a coach on the 1979 World Series Championship team.”
Pirates chairman Bob Nutting reflected on Skinner’s legacy: “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,” Nutting said. “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.”
Born Oct. 3, 1931 in La Jolla, California, Skinner began his professional career with Pittsburgh but served two years with the Marines during the Korean War before making his Major League debut in April 1954. He became known for his hitting ability—Branch Rickey once called him “absolutely the best natural hitter I have seen in many years.” As an All-Star three times between 1957-1960 he batted second behind Willie Mays for National League squads.
Skinner contributed to key moments including Game 7 of Pittsburgh’s famous seven-game win over New York Yankees in 1960; after injuring his thumb earlier in that series he returned to help spark an eighth-inning rally leading up to Bill Mazeroski’s walk-off home run.
After being traded from Pittsburgh to Cincinnati Reds then St. Louis Cardinals during his playing days—where he contributed off-the-bench hits during their own title run—Skinner moved into managing Triple-A clubs before leading Philadelphia Phillies from mid-1968 until August 1969 when he resigned amid clubhouse tensions.
He continued coaching through several organizations including Padres (as interim manager for one game), Angels, Braves—and again with Pirates where he worked on mechanics with players like Tim Foli for their successful late-1970s squads—and later spent nearly three decades scouting for Houston Astros after managing their minor league affiliate.
Skinner is survived by Joan—his wife for more than sixty years—their four sons (including Joel), eleven grandchildren and eighteen great-grandchildren.
