Bob Skube
Encyclopedia
Robert Jacob "Bob" Skube (born October 8, 1957 in Northridge, California) is a retired professional baseball player whose career spanned seven seasons, two of which were spent in Major League Baseball
(MLB) with the Milwaukee Brewers
(1982–83). Skube has also served as a manager
and coach
in minor league baseball
. During his MLB career, he compiled a .250 batting average
with seven hits
, one double
, one triples
, and nine runs batted in (RBIs) in 16 games played
. Defensively in the majors, Skube played five games in center field, four games in right field, three games as a designated hitter
, and one game at first base.
Skube attended Simi Valley High School
, and the University of Southern California
before turning professional. During the 1979 Major League Baseball Draft
, the Milwaukee Brewers selected Skube in the 13 round. He made his professional debut that season in the minor leagues with the Class-A Stockton Ports
and the Class-A Burlington Bees
. Over his minor league career, Skube batted .276 with 634 hits, 140 doubles, 24 triples, and 80 home runs.
In 2005, Skube began his coaching career with the Class-A Bakersfield Blaze
of the California League
. During the next season, he was made manager of the Arizona League Rangers of the rookie-level Arizona League
. Since then, Skube has severed as the hitting coach for the Class-A Fort Wayne Wizards
of the Midwest League
(2007), the rookie-level Arizona League Padres of the Arizona League (2008–09), and the Class-A Lake Elsinore Storm of the California League (2010). Skube currently serves as the Triple-A Tucson Padres hitting coach.
in Simi Valley, California
. In 1975, while attending Simi Valley High, he was drafted in the fifth round of that year's Major League Baseball (MLB) draft
by the Atlanta Braves
, but did not sign. Skube then enrolled at the University of Southern California
(USC). In 1978, as a member of the USC Trojans baseball team, he was drafted in the 18 round of that year's MLB draft
, but did not sign. Later that year, he was a member of the United States collegiate national baseball team
, which played the Japanese collegiate national baseball team in Tokyo
. In 1979, Skube was named the USC Trojans baseball "most improved player". That year, he was drafted in the 13 round of the MLB draft
by the Milwaukee Brewers
.
career debut in 1979 with the Class-A Burlington Bees
in the Milwaukee Brewers minor league
organization. In 54 games that season with the Bees, he batted
.294 with 26 runs scored, 57 hits
, 14 doubles
, one triple
, nine home runs, 45 runs batted in (RBIs), and 16 stolen base
s. Defensively with Burlington, Skube played 43 games in the outfield
, and four games at first base, committing eight combined errors
. Late in the season, Skube was assigned to the Class-A Stockton Ports
of the California League
. In one regular season game, he got one hit in five at-bats. He also played with the Ports during the playoffs.
In 1980, Skube spent the entire season with the Class-A Stockton Ports. He batted .291 with 132 hits, 26 doubles, seven triples, and 19 home runs in 135 games played. He was fourth in the league in doubles, tied for fifth in home runs, and was seventh in triples. In the field, he played outfield and first base. After the season, Skube was won the Eddie Mulligan
Award, which is bestowed to the top rookie
in the California League. During the 1981 season, Skube was promoted to the Double-A level. He spent the entire year with the El Paso Diablos
of the Texas League
. In 114 games played, he batted .284 with 89 runs scored, 113 hits, 23 doubles, five triples, 18 home runs, and 59 RBIs. Skube played all of his 114 games with the Diablos in the outfield, committing nine errors, and 170 putout
s. At the end of the season, the Milwaukee Brewers purchased Skube's contract, adding him to their 40-man roster.
In February 1982, Skube was re-signed by the Milwaukee Brewers. He attended spring training
with the Milwaukee Brewers in 1982, and was said to be the leading candidate for the back-up outfielder position on the major league roster. However, Skube started the regular season in the minor leagues with the Triple-A Vancouver Canadians
of the Pacific Coast League
. In late-August, there were rumors that the Brewers had traded Skube to the Houston Astros
in a deal for Don Sutton. However, the Brewers later sent Frank DiPino
, and Mike Madden
to the Astros to complete the deal. On the season, he batted .279 with 55 runs scored, 121 hits, 26 doubles, two triples, 13 home runs, 61 RBIs, and 13 stolen bases in 130 games played with the Canadians. On September 7, the Brewers called-up Skube to the major leagues. He made his MLB debut against the New York Yankees
on September 17, pinch-hitting for designated hitter
Roy Howell
in the eighth inning
. In one at-bat, he got a hit, the first of his major league career. In the major leagues that season, Skube got two hits in three at-bats. Defensively, he played one game in center field. He was also the designated hitter in one contest.
Skube started the 1983 season with the Milwaukee Brewers in the majors. He made his season debut on April 10, against the Kansas City Royals
, getting no hits, one run scored, and one RBI in two at-bats. In June, Skube was optioned to the minor leagues. Skube's last game of the year in the majors came on May 28, against the Seattle Mariners
. It would later prove to be the last game of his MLB career. On the season with the Brewers, he played in 12 games, batting .200 with two runs scored, five hits, one double, one triple, and nine RBIs. Defensively, Skube played four games in center field, four games in right field, and one game at first base. He was also the designated hitter for two games. After the demotion, Skube threatened to quit baseball. However, he eventually accepted the assignment. In the minors, he played with the Triple-A Vancouver Canadians of the Pacific Coast League. His season ended after just 40 games, as he needed surgery on both of his knee
s. In those games with Vancouver, Skube batted .209 with 15 runs scored, 27 hits, three triples, three home runs, and eight RBIs. In the field, he played 34 games in the outfield, and one game at first base; committing one combined error. In October 1983, the Brewers outrighted
Skube to the minor leagues, dropping him from their 40-man roster.
During spring training in 1984, Skube was assigned to minor league camp. Skube commented that during the off-season, he had trained harder than ever before, and hoped to make the major league roster. However, he started the season at the Double-A level, with the El Paso Diablos. With El Paso, he batted .312 with 63 hits, 17 doubles, two triples, and six home runs in 56 games played. In late-June, Skube was promoted to the Triple-A Vancouver Canadians, where in 61 games he batted .267 with 56 hits, 13 doubles, four triples, and nine home runs. Between the two teams, Skube played first base and the outfield. The final season of Skube's pro-baseball playing career came in 1985. At the start of the season, he was assigned to Triple-A Vancouver. In 89 games played, he batted .232 with 64 hits, 18 doubles, three triples, and three home runs.
, Moose Haas
, Rob Deer
, Del Crandall
, Bill Schroeder
, Dale Sveum
, and Lou Klimchock
. In 2005, Skube was hired as the hitting coach for the Class-A Bakersfield Blaze
of the California League. That season, the Blaze, who were a Texas Rangers
affiliate, went 68–72. Skube was hired as the manager
of the rookie-level Arizona League Rangers in 2006. At the helm, Skube led the Rangers to a 19–37 record. In 2007, Skube was hired as the hitting coach for the Class-A Fort Wayne Wizards
of the Midwest League
. The Wizards, who affiliated with the MLB San Diego Padres
, had a 55–84 record that season. Skube returned as a coach in the Padres organization in 2008, getting a position with the rookie-level Arizona League Padres. The Arizona League Padres had a 33–23 record that season. Skube returned as the hitting coach for the rookie-level Padres in 2009. The Padres had a 28–28 record that season. He was hired as the hitting coach for the Class-A Lake Elsinore Storm
of the California League in 2010. Currently, Skube is the hitting coach for the Triple-A Tucson Padres of the Pacific Coast League.
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
(MLB) with the Milwaukee Brewers
Milwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
(1982–83). Skube has also served as a manager
Manager (baseball)
In baseball, the field manager is an individual who is responsible for matters of team strategy on the field and team leadership. Managers are typically assisted by between one and six assistant coaches, whose responsibilities are specialized...
and coach
Coach (baseball)
In baseball, a number of coaches assist in the smooth functioning of a team. They are assistants to the manager, or head coach, who determines the lineup and decides how to substitute players during the game...
in minor league baseball
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
. During his MLB career, he compiled a .250 batting average
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
with seven hits
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
, one double
Double (baseball)
In baseball, a double is the act of a batter striking the pitched ball and safely reaching second base without being called out by the umpire, without the benefit of a fielder's misplay or another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
, one triples
Triple (baseball)
In baseball, a triple is the act of a batter safely reaching third base after hitting the ball, with neither the benefit of a fielder's misplay nor another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
, and nine runs batted in (RBIs) in 16 games played
Games played
Games played is a statistic used in team sports to indicate the total number of games in which a player has participated ; the statistic is generally applied irrespective of whatever portion of the game is contested.-Baseball:In baseball, the statistic applies also to players who, prior to a game,...
. Defensively in the majors, Skube played five games in center field, four games in right field, three games as a designated hitter
Designated hitter
In baseball, the designated hitter rule is the common name for Major League Baseball Rule 6.10, an official position adopted by the American League in 1973 that allows teams to designate a player, known as the designated hitter , to bat in place of the pitcher each time he would otherwise come to...
, and one game at first base.
Skube attended Simi Valley High School
Simi Valley High School
Simi Valley High School is a secondary school located in Simi Valley, California, nestling in the shadow of the Santa Susana Mountains, adjacent to the San Fernando Valley. It was established in 1920 as the valley's first high school. Simi Valley High School has undergone several configurations...
, and the University of Southern California
University of Southern California
The University of Southern California is a private, not-for-profit, nonsectarian, research university located in Los Angeles, California, United States. USC was founded in 1880, making it California's oldest private research university...
before turning professional. During the 1979 Major League Baseball Draft
1979 Major League Baseball Draft
The 1979 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft was held on June 5-7, 1979, via conference call.-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1979 Major League Baseball draft.* Did not sign- Background :...
, the Milwaukee Brewers selected Skube in the 13 round. He made his professional debut that season in the minor leagues with the Class-A Stockton Ports
Stockton Ports
The Stockton Ports are a baseball team in Stockton, California. The Ports play in the Northern Division of the Class A – Advanced California League and are a Minor League affiliate of the Oakland Athletics. Their home field is Banner Island Ballpark which seats over 5,000 people and opened in...
and the Class-A Burlington Bees
Burlington Bees
The Burlington Bees are a Class A minor league baseball team, affiliated with the Oakland Athletics, that plays in the Midwest League. Their home is in Burlington, Iowa.-History:...
. Over his minor league career, Skube batted .276 with 634 hits, 140 doubles, 24 triples, and 80 home runs.
In 2005, Skube began his coaching career with the Class-A Bakersfield Blaze
Bakersfield Blaze
The Bakersfield Blaze are a minor league baseball team in Bakersfield, California, USA. They are a Class A – Advanced team in the California League and are a farm team of the Cincinnati Reds. The Bakersfield Blaze play their home games at Historic Sam Lynn Ballpark...
of the California League
California League
The California League is a Class A Advanced minor league baseball league which operates throughout the state of California. Before 2002, it was classified as a "High-A" league, indicating its status as a Class A league with the highest level of competition within that classification, and the fifth...
. During the next season, he was made manager of the Arizona League Rangers of the rookie-level Arizona League
Arizona League
The Arizona League is a minor league baseball league that operates in and around Phoenix, Arizona. It is a rookie-level professional baseball league run by Major League Baseball since 1989. Games are played at the spring training complexes of the team's parent organizations from mid-June until the...
. Since then, Skube has severed as the hitting coach for the Class-A Fort Wayne Wizards
Fort Wayne Wizards
The Fort Wayne TinCaps are a Class A minor league baseball team, affiliated with the San Diego Padres, that plays in the Midwest League. They won their first Midwest League Championship in 2009.-History:...
of the Midwest League
Midwest League
The Midwest League is a Class-A minor league baseball league which operates in the Midwestern United States.-History:Six teams – the Belleville Stags, the Centralia Cubs, the Marion Indians, the Mattoon Indians or East Frankfort White Sox, the Mount Vernon Braves, and the West Frankfort...
(2007), the rookie-level Arizona League Padres of the Arizona League (2008–09), and the Class-A Lake Elsinore Storm of the California League (2010). Skube currently serves as the Triple-A Tucson Padres hitting coach.
Early life
Skube was born on October 8, 1957 in Northridge, California. He attended Simi Valley High SchoolSimi Valley High School
Simi Valley High School is a secondary school located in Simi Valley, California, nestling in the shadow of the Santa Susana Mountains, adjacent to the San Fernando Valley. It was established in 1920 as the valley's first high school. Simi Valley High School has undergone several configurations...
in Simi Valley, California
Simi Valley, California
-2010:The 2010 United States Census reported that Simi Valley had a population of 124,237. The population density was 2,940.8 people per square mile...
. In 1975, while attending Simi Valley High, he was drafted in the fifth round of that year's Major League Baseball (MLB) draft
1975 Major League Baseball Draft
-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1975 Major League Baseball draft..Many baseball draft experts consider the 1975 draft to be the weakest in MLB history.- External links :*- References :...
by the Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
, but did not sign. Skube then enrolled at the University of Southern California
University of Southern California
The University of Southern California is a private, not-for-profit, nonsectarian, research university located in Los Angeles, California, United States. USC was founded in 1880, making it California's oldest private research university...
(USC). In 1978, as a member of the USC Trojans baseball team, he was drafted in the 18 round of that year's MLB draft
1978 Major League Baseball Draft
-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1978 Major League Baseball draft.- Background :In 1978, four players made the jump from amateur baseball to the major leagues, including Arizona State third baseman Bob Horner, who was selected number one overall by the Atlanta...
, but did not sign. Later that year, he was a member of the United States collegiate national baseball team
United States national baseball team
The United States National Baseball team represents the United States in international baseball competition. The United States has won the previous two Baseball World Cups, having lost this title to the Netherlands in 2011, and is currently second in the IBAF World Rankings, behind Cuba.The team...
, which played the Japanese collegiate national baseball team in Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
. In 1979, Skube was named the USC Trojans baseball "most improved player". That year, he was drafted in the 13 round of the MLB draft
1979 Major League Baseball Draft
The 1979 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft was held on June 5-7, 1979, via conference call.-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1979 Major League Baseball draft.* Did not sign- Background :...
by the Milwaukee Brewers
Milwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
.
Playing career
Skube made his professional baseballProfessional baseball
Baseball is a team sport which is played by several professional leagues throughout the world. In these leagues, and associated farm teams, players are selected for their talents and are paid to play for a specific team or club system....
career debut in 1979 with the Class-A Burlington Bees
Burlington Bees
The Burlington Bees are a Class A minor league baseball team, affiliated with the Oakland Athletics, that plays in the Midwest League. Their home is in Burlington, Iowa.-History:...
in the Milwaukee Brewers minor league
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
organization. In 54 games that season with the Bees, he batted
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
.294 with 26 runs scored, 57 hits
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
, 14 doubles
Double (baseball)
In baseball, a double is the act of a batter striking the pitched ball and safely reaching second base without being called out by the umpire, without the benefit of a fielder's misplay or another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
, one triple
Triple (baseball)
In baseball, a triple is the act of a batter safely reaching third base after hitting the ball, with neither the benefit of a fielder's misplay nor another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
, nine home runs, 45 runs batted in (RBIs), and 16 stolen base
Stolen base
In baseball, a stolen base occurs when a baserunner successfully advances to the next base while the pitcher is delivering the ball to home plate...
s. Defensively with Burlington, Skube played 43 games in the outfield
Outfield
The outfield is a sporting term used in cricket and baseball to refer to the area of the field of play further from the batsman or batter than the infield...
, and four games at first base, committing eight combined errors
Error (baseball)
In baseball statistics, an error is the act, in the judgment of the official scorer, of a fielder misplaying a ball in a manner that allows a batter or baserunner to reach one or more additional bases, when such an advance would have been prevented given ordinary effort by the fielder.The term ...
. Late in the season, Skube was assigned to the Class-A Stockton Ports
Stockton Ports
The Stockton Ports are a baseball team in Stockton, California. The Ports play in the Northern Division of the Class A – Advanced California League and are a Minor League affiliate of the Oakland Athletics. Their home field is Banner Island Ballpark which seats over 5,000 people and opened in...
of the California League
California League
The California League is a Class A Advanced minor league baseball league which operates throughout the state of California. Before 2002, it was classified as a "High-A" league, indicating its status as a Class A league with the highest level of competition within that classification, and the fifth...
. In one regular season game, he got one hit in five at-bats. He also played with the Ports during the playoffs.
In 1980, Skube spent the entire season with the Class-A Stockton Ports. He batted .291 with 132 hits, 26 doubles, seven triples, and 19 home runs in 135 games played. He was fourth in the league in doubles, tied for fifth in home runs, and was seventh in triples. In the field, he played outfield and first base. After the season, Skube was won the Eddie Mulligan
Eddie Mulligan
Edward Joseph Mulligan born in St. Louis, Missouri was a third baseman for the Chicago Cubs , Chicago White Sox and Pittsburgh Pirates .He led the American League in outs in 1921....
Award, which is bestowed to the top rookie
Rookie
Rookie is a term for a person who is in his or her first year of play of their sport or has little or no professional experience. The term also has the more general meaning of anyone new to a profession, training or activity Rookie is a term for a person who is in his or her first year of play of...
in the California League. During the 1981 season, Skube was promoted to the Double-A level. He spent the entire year with the El Paso Diablos
El Paso Diablos
The El Paso Diablos are a professional baseball team based in El Paso, Texas, in the United States. The Diablos are a member of the South Division of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball. Since the 2005 season to the...
of the Texas League
Texas League
The Texas League is a minor league baseball league which operates in the South Central United States. It is classified a Double-A league. The league was founded in 1888 and ran through 1892...
. In 114 games played, he batted .284 with 89 runs scored, 113 hits, 23 doubles, five triples, 18 home runs, and 59 RBIs. Skube played all of his 114 games with the Diablos in the outfield, committing nine errors, and 170 putout
Putout
In baseball statistics, a putout is given to a defensive player who records an out by one of the following methods:* Tagging a runner with the ball when he is not touching a base...
s. At the end of the season, the Milwaukee Brewers purchased Skube's contract, adding him to their 40-man roster.
In February 1982, Skube was re-signed by the Milwaukee Brewers. He attended spring training
Spring training
In Major League Baseball, spring training is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for roster and position spots, and gives existing team players practice time prior to competitive play...
with the Milwaukee Brewers in 1982, and was said to be the leading candidate for the back-up outfielder position on the major league roster. However, Skube started the regular season in the minor leagues with the Triple-A Vancouver Canadians
Vancouver Canadians
The Vancouver Canadians are a minor league baseball team located in Vancouver, British Columbia. The Canadians are the Northwest League affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays. The C's have previously affiliated with the Oakland Athletics between 2000-2010. They are the only Canadian team in the...
of the Pacific Coast League
Pacific Coast League
The Pacific Coast League is a minor-league baseball league operating in the Western, Midwestern and Southeastern United States. Along with the International League and the Mexican League, it is one of three leagues playing at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball.The...
. In late-August, there were rumors that the Brewers had traded Skube to the Houston Astros
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
in a deal for Don Sutton. However, the Brewers later sent Frank DiPino
Frank DiPino
Frank Michael DiPino is a former pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Milwaukee Brewers, Houston Astros, Chicago Cubs, St. Louis Cardinals, and Kansas City Royals...
, and Mike Madden
Mike Madden
Mike Madden , is a former professional baseball player who pitched in the Major Leagues from 1983-1986 for the Houston Astros. Madden played college ball at University of Northern Colorado....
to the Astros to complete the deal. On the season, he batted .279 with 55 runs scored, 121 hits, 26 doubles, two triples, 13 home runs, 61 RBIs, and 13 stolen bases in 130 games played with the Canadians. On September 7, the Brewers called-up Skube to the major leagues. He made his MLB debut against the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
on September 17, pinch-hitting for designated hitter
Designated hitter
In baseball, the designated hitter rule is the common name for Major League Baseball Rule 6.10, an official position adopted by the American League in 1973 that allows teams to designate a player, known as the designated hitter , to bat in place of the pitcher each time he would otherwise come to...
Roy Howell
Roy Howell
Roy Lee Howell , is a former professional baseball player who played third base in Major League Baseball from 1974-1984...
in the eighth inning
Inning
Inning is a municipality in the district of Erding in Bavaria in Germany....
. In one at-bat, he got a hit, the first of his major league career. In the major leagues that season, Skube got two hits in three at-bats. Defensively, he played one game in center field. He was also the designated hitter in one contest.
Skube started the 1983 season with the Milwaukee Brewers in the majors. He made his season debut on April 10, against the Kansas City Royals
Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium...
, getting no hits, one run scored, and one RBI in two at-bats. In June, Skube was optioned to the minor leagues. Skube's last game of the year in the majors came on May 28, against the Seattle Mariners
Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July...
. It would later prove to be the last game of his MLB career. On the season with the Brewers, he played in 12 games, batting .200 with two runs scored, five hits, one double, one triple, and nine RBIs. Defensively, Skube played four games in center field, four games in right field, and one game at first base. He was also the designated hitter for two games. After the demotion, Skube threatened to quit baseball. However, he eventually accepted the assignment. In the minors, he played with the Triple-A Vancouver Canadians of the Pacific Coast League. His season ended after just 40 games, as he needed surgery on both of his knee
Knee
The knee joint joins the thigh with the leg and consists of two articulations: one between the fibula and tibia, and one between the femur and patella. It is the largest joint in the human body and is very complicated. The knee is a mobile trocho-ginglymus , which permits flexion and extension as...
s. In those games with Vancouver, Skube batted .209 with 15 runs scored, 27 hits, three triples, three home runs, and eight RBIs. In the field, he played 34 games in the outfield, and one game at first base; committing one combined error. In October 1983, the Brewers outrighted
Designated for assignment
Designated for assignment is a contractual term used in Major League Baseball. When a player is designated for assignment, he is immediately removed from the club's 40-man roster. This gives the club 10 days to decide what to do with the player while freeing up a roster spot for another...
Skube to the minor leagues, dropping him from their 40-man roster.
During spring training in 1984, Skube was assigned to minor league camp. Skube commented that during the off-season, he had trained harder than ever before, and hoped to make the major league roster. However, he started the season at the Double-A level, with the El Paso Diablos. With El Paso, he batted .312 with 63 hits, 17 doubles, two triples, and six home runs in 56 games played. In late-June, Skube was promoted to the Triple-A Vancouver Canadians, where in 61 games he batted .267 with 56 hits, 13 doubles, four triples, and nine home runs. Between the two teams, Skube played first base and the outfield. The final season of Skube's pro-baseball playing career came in 1985. At the start of the season, he was assigned to Triple-A Vancouver. In 89 games played, he batted .232 with 64 hits, 18 doubles, three triples, and three home runs.
Coaching career
In 2003, Skube was involved in a baseball camp for the Milwaukee Brewers, which included former players Ken SandersKen Sanders
For the football player of the same name see Ken Sanders .Kenneth George Sanders is a former professional baseball player...
, Moose Haas
Moose Haas
Bryan Edmund "Moose" Haas , is a former professional baseball player who pitched in the Major Leagues from 1976-1987. He appeared in the 1982 World Series as a member of the Brewers....
, Rob Deer
Rob Deer
Robert George Deer is a former American baseball player. He attended Canyon High School in Anaheim and Fresno City College, and was drafted by the San Francisco Giants in the 4th round of the 1978 amateur draft....
, Del Crandall
Del Crandall
Delmar Wesley Crandall is a former professional baseball catcher and manager in Major League Baseball who played most of his career with the Boston & Milwaukee Braves...
, Bill Schroeder
Bill Schroeder
William Fredrich Schroeder is a former American football wide receiver in the NFL. He attended Sheboygan South High School and then went on to the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse, where he starred in track and field. He last played with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2004...
, Dale Sveum
Dale Sveum
Dale Curtis Sveum is a former Major League Baseball player and the current manager of the Chicago Cubs.-Playing career:A talented athlete, Sveum was an All-State and All-American quarterback while attending Pinole Valley High School, in addition to being a fine baseball player...
, and Lou Klimchock
Lou Klimchock
Louis Stephen Klimchock was an infielder for the Kansas City Athletics , Milwaukee Braves , Washington Senators , New York Mets and Cleveland Indians ....
. In 2005, Skube was hired as the hitting coach for the Class-A Bakersfield Blaze
Bakersfield Blaze
The Bakersfield Blaze are a minor league baseball team in Bakersfield, California, USA. They are a Class A – Advanced team in the California League and are a farm team of the Cincinnati Reds. The Bakersfield Blaze play their home games at Historic Sam Lynn Ballpark...
of the California League. That season, the Blaze, who were a Texas Rangers
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
affiliate, went 68–72. Skube was hired as the manager
Manager (baseball)
In baseball, the field manager is an individual who is responsible for matters of team strategy on the field and team leadership. Managers are typically assisted by between one and six assistant coaches, whose responsibilities are specialized...
of the rookie-level Arizona League Rangers in 2006. At the helm, Skube led the Rangers to a 19–37 record. In 2007, Skube was hired as the hitting coach for the Class-A Fort Wayne Wizards
Fort Wayne Wizards
The Fort Wayne TinCaps are a Class A minor league baseball team, affiliated with the San Diego Padres, that plays in the Midwest League. They won their first Midwest League Championship in 2009.-History:...
of the Midwest League
Midwest League
The Midwest League is a Class-A minor league baseball league which operates in the Midwestern United States.-History:Six teams – the Belleville Stags, the Centralia Cubs, the Marion Indians, the Mattoon Indians or East Frankfort White Sox, the Mount Vernon Braves, and the West Frankfort...
. The Wizards, who affiliated with the MLB San Diego Padres
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
, had a 55–84 record that season. Skube returned as a coach in the Padres organization in 2008, getting a position with the rookie-level Arizona League Padres. The Arizona League Padres had a 33–23 record that season. Skube returned as the hitting coach for the rookie-level Padres in 2009. The Padres had a 28–28 record that season. He was hired as the hitting coach for the Class-A Lake Elsinore Storm
Lake Elsinore Storm
The Lake Elsinore Storm is a minor league baseball team in Lake Elsinore, California, USA. It is a Class A - Advanced team in the California League, and is a farm team of the San Diego Padres. The Storm plays its home games at Lake Elsinore Diamond...
of the California League in 2010. Currently, Skube is the hitting coach for the Triple-A Tucson Padres of the Pacific Coast League.