Joel Skinner's journey in professional baseball began when he was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 36th round of the 1979 MLB Draft. However, it was with the Chicago White Sox that he made his Major League debut on September 12, 1983. Skinner, primarily a catcher, played for several teams during his career, including the White Sox, New York Yankees, and Cleveland Indians.

Skinner's time with the White Sox lasted until 1986, when he was traded to the Yankees. During his tenure with the Yankees, he served as a backup catcher, providing depth to the team's roster. His role was often to support the starting catcher and manage the pitching staff during games. In 1988, Skinner was traded to the Cleveland Indians, where he spent the majority of his playing career.

With the Indians, Skinner found more opportunities to play, appearing in a career-high 93 games during the 1989 season. Known for his defensive skills behind the plate, he was valued for his ability to handle pitchers and call games. While his offensive numbers were modest, his contributions to the teams he played for were appreciated by teammates and coaches alike.

After retiring as a player, Skinner transitioned into coaching and management roles. He began his post-playing career in the Indians' organization, where he managed in the minor leagues. His managerial skills were recognized, and he eventually became the manager of the Buffalo Bisons, the Indians' Triple-A affiliate, in 1995. Skinner's leadership abilities were further acknowledged when he was named the interim manager of the Cleveland Indians in 2002, following the resignation of Charlie Manuel.

During his brief stint as the Indians' manager, Skinner guided the team through the remainder of the season. Although his time as manager was short-lived, it demonstrated his capability to lead at the Major League level. After his interim managerial role, Skinner continued to work in various coaching capacities, including serving as a third base coach for the Indians.

Throughout his career, both as a player and a coach, Skinner was respected for his knowledge of the game and his ability to work with players and staff.