If it weren't for this player, the tournament could have left nothing for the United States.
It was a tournament that left deep scars for the U.S. baseball team, whose World Baseball Classic (WBC) title bid was thwarted by Venezuela. Manager Mark DeRosa saw his leadership questioned after a gaffe, Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal threw in only one group-stage game and left, inviting criticism. "Captain" Aaron Judge again showed weakness in big games, and Clayton Kershaw, who drew attention for joining after retirement, was left without throwing a single pitch.
Amid that, the American player who shone the most was the "true ace" Paul Skenes (23, Pittsburgh Pirates). The right-handed fireballer Skenes, who captured the National League (NL) rookie of the year and the Cy Young in consecutive years over the past two seasons, was the winning pitcher in both of his WBC appearances, delivering 8⅓ innings, seven hits allowed (one home run), one walk, two hit batters, nine strikeouts and one earned run for a 1.08 ERA. Unlike the cautious Skubal, Skenes gave his all and proved he is the best in the world.
He especially led the U.S. to a 2-1 victory with 4⅔ innings, six hits allowed (one home run), one walk, two strikeouts and one earned run in the semifinal against the Dominican Republic. According to The Athletic, Skenes's father Craig, two of his U.S. Air Force Academy teammates and three other friends were at loanDepot park in Miami, Florida, where the game was played, to watch. Everyone marveled at Skenes for showing his best pitching under pressure without faltering.
Chase Spencer, who was Skenes's teammate at the Air Force Academy, said, "Life at the academy seems to have shaped him. He gained mental growth and stability there. It shows every day on the field," noting that Skenes's mentality was forged at the academy.
After graduating high school, Skenes entered the U.S. Air Force Academy. Influenced by uncles who served in the Navy from a young age, he respected the military and nurtured a dream of becoming a fighter pilot. He served at the Air Force Academy for two years, serving both as a pitcher and a catcher before transferring to Louisiana State University. He left the academy to concentrate on baseball, but his patriotism did not fade.
In a column for The Players' Tribune on the 10th, Skenes wrote, "The experiences at the academy will remain in my heart forever. The three core values I learned there are honesty first, commitment to others and excellence in all things," and added, "My respect for the military is endless. I hold them in awe. I will do whatever I can to honor those who serve this country. The fact that service members around the world will be watching the WBC means more to me than anything."
A single text message he received during the WBC was also a big stimulus for Skenes. He said, "I got a text from one of my fellow Air Force members. I don't know where he's stationed right now, but he said he'd get up at 3 a.m. to watch the game. Hearing that made me feel a lot. It's games against players I usually face and know well, but it really means a lot."
He approached the WBC sincerely, and he showed a bit more emotion than usual. On the 10th, after shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. (Kansas City Royals) made a sensational diving catch and throw in the game against Mexico, Skenes's lip curled up as if smitten, which became a talking point. Seeing Skenes's expression—more joyful than when he won rookie of the year or the Cy Young—sparked the "distracted boyfriend" meme among baseball fans. Skenes's girlfriend, former gymnast and influencer Rivi Dunn, also enjoyed the meme, posting it on social media.
The New York Post on the 18th also reported Dunn's jealous reaction to the "bromance" between Skenes and Witt Jr. Ahead of the final, Skenes posted a photo on social media taken on the bus to the stadium with his teammates. Sitting next to Skenes was Witt Jr. In the photo of the two men smiling side by side, Dunn left the comment, "My spot has been replaced by Bobby," drawing laughs.
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