Known primarily for his defense, Skinner never caught for the White Sox on an everyday basis. He did most of the Yankees' catching after his July 1986 acquisition, but as a reserve in 1987, hit just .137 and spent two months in the minors.
The Yankees traded him to the Indians at the start of 1989 for Mel Hall. He spent three uneventful years with the Tribe, totalling just 601 at-bats over that span while backing up Andy Allanson and Sandy Alomar Jr.
(ArB/EG/GL)
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FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY
»May 30, 1986:
The Yanks and Sox complete a six-player swap with Ron Kittle, along with Wayne Tolleson and C Joel Skinner coming to New York. The White Sox receive—again—Ron Hassey, along with Carlos Martinez and a player to be named later (Bill Lindsey). Hassey was traded from the Cubs to the Yanks in December 1984, back to Chicago (Sox) in December 1985, back to the Bronx in February, and now to Chicago.
»July 30, 1986: C Ron Hassey is traded for the 3rd time in eight months, this time going to Chicago in a deal that brings OF-DH Ron Kittle, SS Wayne Tolleson, and C Joel Skinner to New York.
»June 11, 1988: Batting seventh as the Yankees DH, ahead of Rafael Santana and Joel Skinner, pitcher Rick Rhoden hits a sacrifice fly in New York's 8–6 win over Baltimore. He is the first pitcher to start a game as a DH since the rule was adopted in 1973. Later, Jose Cruz replaces Rhoden as the DH.
»March 19, 1989: With Dave Winfield sidelined, the Yankees trade C Joel Skinner and a minor leaguer to the Indians for OF Mel Hall. Winfield will miss all of the 1989 season after undergoing back surgery next week for central disc herniation.
»July 11, 2002:
The Indians fire manager Charlie Manuel and replaced him on an interim basis with coach Joel Skinner.
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