Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes watched Team USA's recent Olympic hockey gold medal victory with renewed excitement for his own international commitment. The 23-year-old Cy Young winner has become a key figure in assembling a strong roster for the 2026 World Baseball Classic. He expressed determination to help the U.S. secure its first gold in the event.
In the Pittsburgh Pirates' clubhouse at LECOM Park in Bradenton, Florida, Paul Skenes viewed footage of Team USA's 2-1 overtime win over Canada in the Olympic men's hockey final on Sunday. This marked the United States' first gold medal in the sport since the 1980 "Miracle on Ice," a moment that occurred 22 years before Skenes' birth.
"It’s pretty cool," Skenes said, his eyes fixed on the screen showing American players draped in flags. "It’s what we’re walking into."
A former Air Force cadet and recent Cy Young Award winner, Skenes committed early to Team USA for the 2026 World Baseball Classic, significantly boosting recruitment efforts. Following the U.S. victory in the 2017 tournament, manager Mark DeRosa's 2023 team easily attracted top position players, but elite pitchers were initially hesitant. Skenes' involvement changed that, drawing All-Stars like Tarik Skubal and Logan Webb, resulting in what sources describe as one of the strongest baseball rosters ever assembled for the event.
With family members who have served in the military, the 23-year-old Skenes emphasized his serious approach to national representation. The Olympic hockey images heightened his anticipation for the Classic, where Team USA begins pool play against Brazil on March 6 in Houston.
Though not a hockey specialist and hesitant to oppose a Canadian side featuring Sidney Crosby, Skenes drew parallels to past U.S. efforts. "I watched the movie ‘Miracle,’ and I’ve watched the Olympics and the 2017 WBC when Team USA won," he said. He added that he has played for Team USA before but noted, "We haven’t won the gold yet. It’s not a good feeling to go to another country and lose to them. We’re looking to change that."
Skenes, who wears a belt featuring a small American flag image and red, white, and blue cleats during spring training, plans to leave the Pirates' Grapefruit League camp on March 1 for Team USA training in Arizona. "It’s bigger than all of us," he remarked about competing in the World Baseball Classic.
