Joel Skinner
Born: 2/21/1961 in La Jolla, CA, USA
MLB Debut: 1983-06-12 | Final Game: 1991-09-22
Bats: R | Throws: R | Height: 6'4" | Weight: 198 lbs
Full name: Joel Patrick Skinner
Biography
Joel Skinner, born in 1961, was a professional baseball player who made his mark in Major League Baseball from 1983 to 1991. Primarily recognized as a position player, Skinner played a total of 564 games during his career. He recorded 329 hits, 17 home runs, and 136 RBIs, finishing his playing days with a batting average of .228. Known for his versatility on the field, Skinner contributed not only offensively but also defensively, showcasing the skills that characterized players of his era.
Skinner's career unfolded during a transitional period in baseball, as the game began to shift towards a more power-centric style in the late 1980s. Despite not being a prolific power hitter, his ability to play multiple positions and his contributions in clutch situations earned him respect among teammates and coaches alike. After his retirement, Skinner continued to be involved in baseball, serving in various coaching roles, furthering his legacy within the sport. His journey through the MLB exemplified the dedication and tenacity that defined many players of his generation.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 564 | 1441 | 119 | 329 | 62 | 3 | 17 | 136 | 3 | 80 | 387 | 0.228 | 0.269 | 0.311 | 0.580 | -5084.8 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | CHW | AL | 6 | 11 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0.273 | 0.0 |
| 1984 | CHW | AL | 43 | 80 | 4 | 17 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 7 | 19 | 0.212 | -367.3 |
| 1985 | CHW | AL | 22 | 44 | 9 | 15 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 13 | 0.341 | 0.0 |
| 1986 | CHW | AL | 60 | 149 | 17 | 30 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 20 | 1 | 9 | 43 | 0.201 | -553.4 |
| 1986 | NYY | AL | 54 | 166 | 6 | 43 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 17 | 0 | 7 | 40 | 0.259 | -553.4 |
| 1987 | NYY | AL | 64 | 139 | 9 | 19 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 14 | 0 | 8 | 46 | 0.137 | -1168.0 |
| 1988 | NYY | AL | 88 | 251 | 23 | 57 | 15 | 0 | 4 | 23 | 0 | 14 | 72 | 0.227 | -655.0 |
| 1989 | CLE | AL | 79 | 178 | 10 | 41 | 10 | 0 | 1 | 13 | 1 | 9 | 42 | 0.230 | -553.0 |
| 1990 | CLE | AL | 49 | 139 | 16 | 35 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 16 | 0 | 7 | 44 | 0.252 | -293.0 |
| 1991 | CLE | AL | 99 | 284 | 23 | 69 | 14 | 0 | 1 | 24 | 0 | 14 | 67 | 0.243 | -962.3 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1B | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| C | 560 | 449 | 2425 | 170 | 32 | 26 |
| OF | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | CHA | C | 6 | 2 | 20 | 4 | 1 | 1 |
| 1984 | CHA | C | 43 | 23 | 171 | 11 | 2 | 1 |
| 1985 | CHA | C | 21 | 15 | 94 | 8 | 3 | 0 |
| 1986 | CHA | C | 60 | 48 | 227 | 15 | 3 | 4 |
| 1986 | NYA | C | 54 | 52 | 280 | 22 | 6 | 5 |
| 1987 | NYA | C | 64 | 46 | 232 | 18 | 4 | 2 |
| 1988 | NYA | C | 85 | 72 | 395 | 16 | 4 | 5 |
| 1988 | NYA | 1B | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1988 | NYA | OF | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1989 | CLE | C | 79 | 57 | 280 | 22 | 3 | 1 |
| 1990 | CLE | C | 49 | 44 | 222 | 16 | 1 | 3 |
| 1991 | CLE | C | 99 | 90 | 504 | 38 | 5 | 4 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| Catcher | 560 |
| First Base | 1 |
| Left Field | 1 |
| Right Field | 1 |
Salary History
| Year | Team | League | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | CLE | AL | $750,000 |
| 1992 | CLE | AL | $700,000 |
| 1991 | CLE | AL | $610,000 |
| 1990 | CLE | AL | $280,000 |
| 1989 | CLE | AL | $200,000 |
| 1988 | NYA | AL | $110,000 |
| 1987 | NYA | AL | $110,000 |
| 1986 | CHA | AL | $75,000 |
| Total Career Earnings | $2,835,000 | ||