Joel Skinner

Joel Skinner
Joel Skinner in 2009
Catcher / Coach
Born: February 21, 1961 (1961-02-21) La Jolla, California
Batted: Right	Threw: Right
MLB debut
June 12, 1983 for the Chicago White Sox
Last MLB appearance
September 22, 1991 for the Cleveland Indians
Career statistics
Batting average	.228
Home runs	17
Runs batted in	136
Teams
Chicago White Sox (1983-1986) New York Yankees (1986-1988) Cleveland Indians (1989-1991)

Joel Patrick Skinner (born February 21, 1961 in La Jolla, California) is a former Major League Baseball catcher and former third base coach of the Cleveland Indians. Skinner was dismissed effective with the end of the 2009 season on September 30, 2009. He is the son of Bob Skinner, a National League outfielder in the 1950s and '60s. He was the former bench coach for the Oakland Athletics.

High school career

At Mission Bay High School in San Diego, Joel Skinner played baseball and water polo. He was drafted immediately following his senior year and was the first player taken in the free-agent compensation draft.

Minor league managing career

Skinner spent six seasons managing in the Indians minor league system from 1995–2000. In those seasons he compiled a record of 448–333 (.574) and took his team to the playoffs in five of the six seasons.

• 1995 – Managed the Watertown Indians to a record of 46- 27 and a New York-Penn League title and Manager of the Year honors

• 1996 – Managed the Columbus Redstixx (South Atlantic League) to a second half title and a regular season record of 79–63

• 1997 – Managed the Class A Kinston Indians (Carolina League) in 1997 as they won titles in both the first and second halves with an 87–53 record, earning him Carolina League Manager of the Year honors

• 1998 & 1999 – Managed the Akron Aeros and was named USA Today Baseball Weekly's Minor League Manager of the Year in 1998 after guiding the Aeros to an 81–60 record and an Eastern League regular season title

• 2000 – Managed the AAA Buffalo Bisons to the best record in the International League and an IL North Division title with a record of 86–59 (.593). His leadership of the Bisons in earned him Minor League Manager of the Year honors from Baseball America and The Sporting News in addition to being given International League Manager of the Year honors. Was a coach for Team USA in the 2000 All-Star Futures Game in Atlanta.

• 2010 – Hired as the Oakland Athletics bench coach for the 2011 season.

Major League managing/coaching career

Skinner was named to the coaching staff of the Cleveland Indians on November 10, 2000, succeeding Jim Riggleman as third base coach. He was named interim manager of the Tribe on July 11, 2002 after Charlie Manuel was let go in a contract dispute. At the time, Skinner was the youngest manager in the major leagues, at age 41. He skippered the team to a 35–41 record to finish the season, including a 15–13 record in September. Skinner's name was mentioned among candidates to the permanent manager's job, but Eric Wedge was chosen instead. His name will be forever known as the third-base coach who held Kenny Lofton from scoring during the 2007 ALCS and turned the tide in the favor of the Red Sox. Skinner remained on the Indians' coaching staff until Manny Acta was hired in 2009. On October 20, 2010, Skinner was hired as the Oakland Athletics bench coach for the 2011 season replacing Tye Waller.

Managerial records

Team	Year	Regular Season				Post Season
		Won	Lost	Win %	Finish	Won	Lost	Win %	Result
CLE	2002	35	41	.461	3rd in AL Central	–	–	–	–

Career statistics

G	AB	R	H	RBI	HR	AVG
564	1441	119	329	136	7	.228

See also

• List of second generation MLB players

External links

• Career statistics and player information from Baseball-Reference
• MLB.com Bio
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Preceded by Jim Riggleman Jeff Datz Jeff Datz	Cleveland Indians Third Base Coach 2001–2002 2003–2005 2007–2009	Succeeded by Jeff Datz Jeff Datz Steve Smith
Preceded by Charlie Manuel	Cleveland Indians Manager (interim) 2002	Succeeded by Eric Wedge
Preceded by Robby Thompson	Cleveland Indians Bench Coach 2006	Succeeded by Jeff Datz
Preceded by Tye Waller	Oakland Athletics Bench Coach 2010–2011	Succeeded by Chip Hale