A three-time .300 hitter with Pittsburgh, Skinner batted a career-high .321 and was the National League‘s All-Star left fielder in 1958. As a rookie in 1954, he set a ML first base record with eight assists in a game. In 1956 he led the NL with 54 pinch-hitting appearances. During a torrid three-game stretch against Cincinnati in 1959, he hit five homers, including a grand slam and a three-run shot on May 31. He went 2-for-3 as a Cardinal pinch hitter in the 1964 World Series, then led the NL with 15 pinch hits in 1965. His last 45 at-bats came off the bench, in 1966. Skinner became manager of San Diego, at that time the Phillies’ Triple-A affiliate, and by June 1968 he had replaced Gene Mauch at the helm of the parent club. He lasted until the following August. A coach for Pittsburgh, San Diego, and California, he served one game as the Padres’ interim manager in 1977. He returned to the Pirates in 1979, working for manager Chuck Tanner, and moved with him to the Braves, 1986-88. Bob’s son, Joel Skinner, became a catcher with the White Sox and Yankees.
