Pittsburgh Pirates star Paul Skenes might be one of the biggest, if not the biggest, supporter american military Among current MLB players.

So, for him, it represents Team USA The World Baseball Classic means a lot.

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Paul Skenes, pitcher No. 30 of Team USA, throws during a practice at the Papago Park Sports Complex on March 2, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Chris Coduto/Getty Images)

“First of all, I care because I’m from America. I love America. I’ve watched the WBC in the past and there’s no bigger stage or greater honor than wearing USA on your chest,” he said Monday on MLB Network.

“I think the other one, I went to the Air Force Academy for two years. Wanted to serve. I was originally going to serve and ended up transferring to LSU. Won a national championship there, did some cool stuff there. But a big part of me totally wanted to serve in the Army as a career after college. So, it wasn’t service, but it was a very close second.”

Over the past two MLB seasons, Skenes has dedicated himself to causes bigger than wins, losses or Cy Young Awards. he and Gary Sinise Foundation (GSF) for a strikeout campaign. This season, Skenes is donating $100 to the organization for every strikeout he strikes out. The foundation has helped expand services, providing additional fundraising and outreach to the military, veteran and first responder communities.

Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Paul Skenes (30) watches from the dugout during the sixth inning of a Major League Baseball (MLB) National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Pittsburgh Pirates at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati on Thursday, September 25, 2025. (Sam Greene/The Inquirer/USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images)

Skenes struck out 216 last season and won the National League Cy Young Award first.

He made it clear last week that he would attend the World Baseball Classic to honor military personnel.

“That’s what we’re doing this for,” Skenes told Athletic team. “This is the greatest country in the world. That’s what I believe in. That’s why I want to serve, why I go to the Air Force Academy. And these guys don’t get the recognition they deserve.

Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Paul Skenes (30) pitches in the second inning against the Atlanta Braves during spring training at CoolToday Park on February 25, 2026. (Jonathan Dyer/Imagn Images)

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“We do this to represent the men and women who fought for us and the many other things that make this country the greatest country in the world. It gives us some perspective on it.”

Fox News’ Ryan Canfield contributed to this report.

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