Bob Skinner, a three-time All-Star outfielder and three-time World Series champion, has passed away at the age of 94. The Pittsburgh Pirates, where Skinner began his storied career and helped the franchise pull off one of baseball's biggest upsets, confirmed the news on Tuesday after being informed by his wife, Joan. He died in San Diego; no cause was provided.
Skinner's baseball journey spanned more than four decades, both on the field and in the dugout. Standing 6-foot-4, the left-handed-hitting outfielder was known for his calm, laid-back demeanor—earning him the nickname "Sleepy"—but his bat spoke volumes. Over 12 major league seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Cincinnati Reds, and St. Louis Cardinals, he compiled a solid .277 career batting average.
His finest moments came in 1960, when he drove in a career-high 86 runs while anchoring the middle of a Pirates lineup that stunned the mighty New York Yankees in the World Series. That year, he was also named to the National League All-Star team twice—back when MLB briefly held two All-Star Games per season. He earned his first All-Star nod in 1958.
After spending more than eight seasons in Pittsburgh (1954–63), Skinner was traded to Cincinnati and later to St. Louis, where he captured his second World Series ring with the 1964 Cardinals. He retired as a player after the 1966 season but quickly transitioned into coaching and managing. His managerial tenure included a 93–123 record with the Philadelphia Phillies (1968–69) and a one-game interim stint with his hometown San Diego Padres in 1977.
Skinner's deep baseball knowledge made him a respected coach across six organizations. He returned to Pittsburgh in 1979 as the club's hitting coach, earning his third World Series ring as part of the beloved "We Are Family" Pirates team that defeated the Baltimore Orioles.
Pirates chairman Bob Nutting paid tribute, saying: "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. Bob was a talented player, a proud Pirate, and a respected member of the baseball community."