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Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes, who plays for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic, said he pitches to honor American military men and women.
Skenes, 23, spent two years at the U.S. Air Force Academy before transferring to LSU and told Team USA manager Mark DeRosa that’s why he chose to pitch.
“That’s what we do it for,” Skenes told The Athletic. “This is the greatest country in the world. That’s what I believe. That’s why I wanted to serve, that’s why I went to the Air Force Academy. And those people don’t get the recognition they deserve.
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Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes (30) stands for the national anthem before the game against the Chicago Cubs at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. September 15, 2025. (Charles LeClaire/Image Images)
“We do it to represent the men and women who fight for us, along with many other things that make this country the best country in the world. That puts it into perspective a little bit.”
Skenes said that for New York Yankees superstar Aaron Judge, participating in the tournament, along with many of the stars representing Team USA, means he has become much bigger than them.
Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes (30) enters from the bullpen before the game against the Oakland Athletics at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. September 21, 2025. (Charles LeClaire/Image Images)
“I’m not going to put on my OCP (operational camouflage pattern uniforms) again or my blue uniform or anything like that, but it’s going to be a great experience for me personally. Having (team captain) Aaron Judge answer the call, all the guys on the position player side and then all the pitchers that we’ve gotten, it’s something that’s a lot bigger than any of us,” Skenes said.
Team USA baseball will try to follow the lead of the Team USA men’s and women’s hockey teams, who took home a gold medal over Canada. Skenes’ presence on the team makes that possibility much more likely.
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Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Paul Skenes reacts after striking out Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz (not pictured) to end the third inning at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Charles LeClaire/Image Images)
Skenes, in just his second season in the majors, won the National League Cy Young Award last season. In 32 games, Skenes had a 1.97 ERA and recorded 216 strikeouts in 187.2 innings pitched.
Assuming the United States advances out of the group, Skenes told The Athletic he plans to make two starts in the tournament.
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