Paul Skenes, the Pittsburgh Pirates’ rising star and potential future NL Cy Young winner, took a break from his usual powerhouse pitching routine for something a bit more grounded. On a sunny Tuesday afternoon at PNC Park, before a crucial matchup against the St. Louis Cardinals, Skenes joined the Pirates grounds crew in a charming pregame moment, lending a hand to maintain the field.
Skenes’ reason for pitching in might surprise you. As reported by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Noah Hiles, the ace was simply trying to stave off boredom. In a light-hearted twist, Skenes even mentioned a potential post-baseball career in landscaping. Talk about keeping it real – a young pitcher with golden arm also has his sights on a green thumb once his days on the mound are over.
But make no mistake, Skenes’ playful detour didn’t disrupt his focus. That night, he climbed the mound and put on a masterclass, delivering five innings of scoreless baseball against a division rival. With five strikeouts and only a handful of hits given up against a team he’s struggled with before, Skenes showed maturity beyond his years. Despite an earlier 0-4 record against the Cardinals, the Pirates managed to secure a 1-0 win, thanks in part to a crucial eighth-inning run, extending their win streak to an impressive five games.
Selected as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 draft, Skenes has firmly established himself as both the cornerstone of the franchise and, thanks to his pregame antics, perhaps an honorary member of the grounds crew. Fans are drawn to his blend of extraordinary skill and down-to-earth demeanor. While some pitchers are strictly about routine and precision pre-game, Skenes seems to thrive on keeping things light-hearted, sharing a moment with the crew like an everyman.
It’s rare to find a franchise star who gets his hands dirty just hours before a big game. But for Skenes, this seems to be just part of his refreshing approach to the sport. While he can throw with the best, his ability to get down and dirty shows a side of humility that’s endearing to fans.
Even as the Pirates fight to maintain their footing in the competitive NL Central, Skenes remains a beacon for the team, both on the stat sheet and in spirit. As the countdown begins for his next start, don’t be surprised to see him indulging in his newfound hobby, prepping the field with as much enthusiasm as he demonstrates on it.
As Skenes quipped, if the mound ever loses its appeal (spoiler: that’s hardly likely), the allure of a fresh-cut field might just be calling his name.
