This article looks at how Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes turned a breakout Cy Young season into something bigger than baseball—a platform to honor and support America’s service members and first responders.
From a landmark USO tour aboard two U.S. Navy ships with his girlfriend, gymnast Livvy Dunne, to a six-figure charitable campaign powered by every strikeout he threw, Skenes built a 2025 legacy that stretched far beyond the mound.
Paul Skenes’ 2025: Cy Young Stardom Meets Service
By any baseball standard, Paul Skenes’ 2025 season was elite. The Pittsburgh right-hander captured his first Cy Young Award and delivered a 200-strikeout campaign.
He finished with 216 punchouts, making it clear he’s one of the game’s premier power arms. What really set Skenes apart, though, was how he linked those on-field achievements to a bigger mission.
Every strikeout became a real contribution to causes supporting military communities and first responders. He turned dominance on the mound into direct impact off it.
From Strikeouts to Support: The Gary Sinise Foundation Pledge
Before the 2025 season started, Skenes made a public pledge: $100 for every strikeout would go to the Gary Sinise Foundation, which serves veterans, active-duty military, first responders, and their families.
His goal was ambitious—raise at least $100,000. By the end of the season, Skenes had blown past that target with 216 strikeouts, pushing his donation total well over six figures.
Part of the funds went straight into the Pittsburgh community. Over $100,000 in equipment grants helped four area fire departments upgrade gear and improve safety for first responders.
A Different Kind of Road Trip: Skenes and Livvy Dunne’s USO Tour
The 2025 season wasn’t just about writing checks. Skenes and his girlfriend, LSU gymnast and social media standout Livvy Dunne, took their support for the military directly to sea through a USO tour.
They boarded the USS Gerald R. Ford and the USS Mahan, interacting with more than 1,300 sailors deployed far from home. This wasn’t just a quick photo-op—it was a real look at daily life on U.S. Navy ships.
Inside Life at Sea: Connecting With Sailors
During the tour, Skenes and Dunne saw both mission-critical areas and everyday living spaces on the ships. They met ship leaders, learned how operations work at sea, and got a sense of the teamwork that keeps those massive vessels running.
They also spent time in mess halls and common areas, sharing meals, signing autographs, and taking photos with the sailors. The couple’s message was clear: deep gratitude for the sacrifices service members and their families make.
Skenes called the USO trip an “unforgettable” experience. He said it reshaped his appreciation for the dedication and daily grind of military life.
The Clemente Connection: A Season of Character
Skenes was named the Pirates’ nominee for the prestigious Roberto Clemente Award. The honor recognizes the player who best represents the game through character, community involvement, philanthropy, and positive contributions on and off the field.
Skenes’ charitable work with military communities, his support for first responders, and his hands-on involvement through the USO tour all fit the spirit of Clemente’s legacy. In Pittsburgh, Clemente remains an enduring icon, so that connection runs deep.
USO’s Perspective: Why These Tours Matter
From the USO’s standpoint, visits like the one Skenes and Dunne made aren’t just about boosting morale for a day. Jennifer Wahlquist, USO Vice President of Global Entertainment, said these tours remind deployed service members that people back home see them, value them, and support them.
For sailors serving long stretches at sea, the presence of athletes and entertainers brings a piece of home to the deck. For the athletes, it’s a chance to gain perspective and remember that their platforms can be about more than just stats and awards.
A New Blueprint for the Modern Ace
In 2025, Paul Skenes offered a fresh blueprint for what a modern ace can be. Sure, the Cy Young, those 200-plus strikeouts, and all the highlight-reel moments are part of it.
But honestly, the image that sticks with me isn’t even on the mound. Picture him shaking hands with sailors on the USS Gerald R. Ford, or dropping off equipment for Pittsburgh fire departments.
For Skenes, greatness wasn’t just about ERA or strikeout rate. It was really about impact.
And in 2025, that impact stretched way beyond baseball’s outfield walls.
Here is the source article for this story: Skenes hits the seas, joining sailors for his first USO tour
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