Skinner had a 12 year major league career, which included nine seasons with the Pirates. In that magical 1960 season, Skinner hit .273 with 15 home runs and 86 RBI. I recall that he was injured early in the World Series and only played two games against the Yankees with one hit in five at bats and an RBI. Over the course of his twelve year career, he hit .277 and averaged 12 home runs and 62 RBI (prorated over 162 games). He also was a role player on the Cardinals' 1964 World Series championship team, going 2-for-3 with an RBI against the Yanks in that Series.
It is always significant when the member of one of Pittsburgh's most memorable and beloved teams leaves us, and Skinner's death is especially significant in that it now leaves only one member of that team still alive, ace pitcher Vernon Law, now 96 years of age. I made the comment on Facebook yesterday that Law, as the last survivor of that 1960 squad and the last survivor of that theorhetical tontine, now gets to drink from the special bottle of champagne. It was then pointed out to me that as a devout Mormon, Law would not drink this alcoholic beverage. I was making a metaphor, of course, but that is somehow fairly ironic, is it not?
These first months of 2026 have been hard on that team as it has seen the passing of three of its vital members, Roy Face, Bill Mazeroski, and now Bob Skinner.
I wonder what Vernon Law is thinking today.
RIP Bob Skinner.