RetroSeasons recaps past sports seasons through stories, photos, videos, and stats from every team, league, and stadium in history. Coverage includes the NBA, NFL, MLB and NHL, as well as vintage media from defunct teams and leagues.
Joel Skinner is a former Major League Baseball catcher and coach. He was born on February 21, 1961, in La Jolla, California. Skinner began his professional baseball career in 1979 when he was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the third round of the MLB draft. He spent several years in the minor leagues before making his MLB debut with
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Joel Skinner is a former Major League Baseball catcher and coach. He was born on February 21, 1961, in La Jolla, California. Skinner began his professional baseball career in 1979 when he was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the third round of the MLB draft. He spent several years in the minor leagues before making his MLB debut with the Pirates in 1983.
Skinner played for the Pirates for two seasons before being traded to the Cleveland Indians in 1985. He spent the next six seasons with the Indians, serving as their primary catcher for much of that time. Skinner was known for his strong defensive skills and ability to handle a pitching staff.
In 1991, Skinner was traded to the New York Yankees, where he played for one season before being traded to the Chicago White Sox. He spent two seasons with the White Sox before being traded back to the Indians in 1994. Skinner played one more season with the Indians before retiring as a player in 1995.
After retiring as a player, Skinner began his coaching career. He served as a minor league coach in the Indians organization before being promoted to the major league coaching staff in 1999. Skinner served as the Indians' bench coach for two seasons before being hired as the manager of the Buffalo Bisons, the Indians' Triple-A affiliate, in 2001.
Skinner managed the Bisons for two seasons before being hired as the third base coach for the Milwaukee Brewers in 2003. He spent one season with the Brewers before being hired as the bench coach for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2004. Skinner served as the Pirates' bench coach for two seasons before being hired as the first base coach for the Cleveland Indians in 2006.
Skinner spent six seasons as the first base coach for the Indians before being hired as the bench coach for the Chicago White Sox in 2012. He served as the White Sox' bench coach for three seasons before being hired as the field coordinator for the Oakland Athletics in 2015.
Skinner currently serves as the minor league field coordinator for the Athletics, a position he has held since 2016. Throughout his career, Skinner has been known for his strong leadership skills and ability to develop young players. He has been a valuable asset to every team he has worked with, both as a player and a coach.
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On Sunday, September 2, 1990, the Toronto Blue Jays faced off against the...
Toronto Blue Jays vs Cleveland Indians - Stieb No Hitter - Radio Broadcast / On Sunday, September 2, 1990, the Toronto Blue Jays faced off against the Cleveland Indians at Cleveland Stadium. The Blue Jays sent out their ace, Dave Stieb, who entered the game with a remarkable 16-5 record. The Indians countered with Bud Black, who was having a solid season with a 10-8 record. At this point in the season, the Blue Jays were in a tight race in the AL East, while the Indians were struggling to stay out of the basement in the AL Central. The 1990 season was marked by a number of standout performances, including the rise of young stars like Ken Griffey Jr. and the continued dominance of established players like Rickey Henderson.
The game started as a pitching duel, with both Stieb and Black keeping the opposing offenses at bay through the first three innings. The Blue Jays broke the silence in the fourth inning, when first baseman Fred McGriff hit a solo home run off Black. Toronto added another run in the fifth inning, with a double from center fielder Kenny Williams and another double from second baseman Manuel Lee. Despite these runs, the game remained a pitchers' duel, as Stieb kept the Indians' offense completely in check.
Meanwhile, the Indians struggled to mount any offense against Stieb. Despite drawing four walks, the team was unable to capitalize on these opportunities. The Blue Jays, on the other hand, were able to add an insurance run in the ninth inning, courtesy of another solo home run from McGriff. This provided a comfortable cushion for Stieb, who completed the game without allowing a single hit to the Indians.
The game ended in a 3-0 victory for the Blue Jays, with Stieb throwing a no-hitter and improving his record to an impressive 17-5. McGriff's two home runs were key to the victory, providing all the offense the Blue Jays needed. The win helped the Blue Jays in their pursuit of the AL East title, although they would eventually finish in second place behind the Boston Red Sox. The Indians, meanwhile, continued their struggles and finished the season in the last place in the AL Central. The 1990 season was memorable for a number of reasons, including Nolan Ryan's 300th win and the Cincinnati Reds' wire-to-wire World Series victory, but this game stood out as a highlight, showcasing the dominance of Dave Stieb and the power of Fred McGriff.
