Joel Skinner

Joel Patrick Skinner (born February 21, 1961 in La Jolla, California) is a former catcher in Major League Baseball and is currently the third base coach of the Cleveland Indians. He is the son of Bob Skinner, a National League outfielder in the 1950s and '60s.

High school career

At Mission Bay High School in California, 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. He was named to the Atlantic American Baseball All-3rd Base Coach Team in 2006.

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.

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. Skinner has remained on the Indians' coaching staff since as third base coach, except for a portion of the 2006 season, when he filled in for Jeff Datz as bench coach.

2007 ALCS

His judgment as a third base coach was questioned by some following a play during Game 7 of the 2007 American League Champion Series when he held Kenny Lofton on third base on a potentially game tying RBI single.

Behind one run to the Boston Red Sox in a 3-2 Game 7 of the 2007 American League Championship Series, Lofton reached second base on an error to put the potentially tying run in scoring position. Franklin Gutierrez hit the ball hard past third base where it bounced off an angled wall and into shallow left field. As Lofton approached third, Skinner, the third base coach, waived his arms in the air for Lofton to stop at third, even though left fielder Manny Ramírez had not yet reached the ball. Skinner's misjudgement left Lofton on third base as the next batter grounded into a double play to end the inning. After the play the Indians went on to lose the game by nine runs and their chance at a World Series title, which the team has not achieved since 1948.

Career Statistics

ee also

* List of second generation MLB players
* Chicago White Sox all-time roster

External links

*
* [http://cleveland.indians.mlb.com/team/coach_staff_bio.jsp?c_id=cle&coachorstaffid=415103211826 MLB.com Bio]
* [http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07296/827647-63.stm]
* [http://www.courant.com/sports/baseball/hc-indiansside1022.artoct22,0,5386850.story]