“Love This Country”: Paul Skenes Gets Emotional Ahead of Team USA Debut

For many professional athletes, representing their country on an international stage is a proud moment. For Paul Skenes, it means something even deeper.

The Pittsburgh Pirates superstar pitcher, who captured the National League Cy Young Award after a remarkable season, recently shared a personal reflection about what wearing “USA” across his chest truly represents. His message came through a heartfelt letter published by The Players’ Tribune titled “A Letter to All the Little Leaguers Out There.”

The timing of the letter was significant. It arrived just hours before Skenes was scheduled to make his debut for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic against Mexico. But the piece was about far more than baseball.

Instead, Skenes opened up about the life experience that shaped him long before he became one of the most dominant pitchers in Major League Baseball. Before LSU, before the MLB Draft, and before the Cy Young Award, Skenes was a teenager entering the United States Air Force Academy.

That chapter of his life left a lasting impression that still defines how he views competition, responsibility, and patriotism. And as he prepares to pitch for Team USA, Skenes made one thing unmistakably clear. “I’m not sure if you can tell by now, but I love this country.”

1. The Air Force Academy Changed His Perspective

Skenes’ journey began on June 25, 2020, when he arrived at the United States Air Force Academy just weeks after turning 18. Within hours of arriving on campus, he was asked to take the Oath of Enlistment. The gravity of that moment left a deep mark on him.

“You’re basically swearing to risk your life for your country if it’s ever required,” Skenes wrote. “To do whatever it takes to maintain our freedoms. To put your life on the line, no questions asked.” For many young recruits, that realization can be intimidating. For Skenes, it sparked an overwhelming sense of pride.

“For me though? That moment was one of the highlights of my life,” he wrote. “I got the chills reciting that pledge. Just from how proud I am of this country.”

Even years later, recalling that moment still brings the same emotions. “I’m actually getting chills right now remembering back to that time.” While Skenes later transferred to LSU to continue pursuing baseball at the highest level, the lessons he learned at the Academy remained with him. The core values emphasized there became guiding principles in both his career and personal life.

2. The Values That Continue to Guide Him

During his time connected to the Air Force program, Skenes embraced the three foundational principles that define the Academy’s culture. Integrity First. Service Before Self. Excellence in All We Do.

Those ideals, he explained, continue to influence how he approaches everything from preparation to competition. “They’re not just slogans,” Skenes wrote. “Those values stick with you. They shape how you carry yourself and how you approach the things that matter in life.”

For Skenes, baseball became another arena where those principles could be applied. Working harder than everyone else. Holding himself accountable. Respecting teammates and opponents.

Those habits helped transform him into one of the most dominant young pitchers in the sport. Last season, he led Major League Baseball with a stunning 1.97 ERA while capturing the National League Cy Young Award just a year after winning Rookie of the Year.

Yet even with that success, Skenes remains grounded in the values he learned before he ever threw a pitch in the big leagues.

3. Wearing Team USA Means Everything

As Skenes prepares to take the mound for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic, the opportunity carries emotional significance far beyond baseball.

For him, the uniform represents far more than national pride. It represents the countless men and women who serve the country around the world. “Knowing that service members around the world will be watching these games means everything to me,” Skenes wrote.

“Some of them are deployed far from home. Some of them are on active duty. I just want to make them proud.” Skenes admitted that the thought of representing the United States still gives him chills.

At one point in his career, he even hoped to wear his Air Force dress blues on the night he was drafted into Major League Baseball.

4. Embracing the Sacrifice of International Play

The World Baseball Classic presents a unique challenge for many players. Participating in the tournament often means adjusting offseason training schedules and preparing for meaningful competition earlier than usual.

Some players decline the opportunity due to injury concerns or workload management. Skenes understands those risks, but for him, the chance to represent his country makes the sacrifice worthwhile “You’re making a sacrifice,” he wrote. “You’re ramping up earlier. You’re changing your offseason plans.”

The tournament also gives Skenes an opportunity to spend time with players he once admired from afar. One example is legendary pitcher Clayton Kershaw. Skenes recalled sitting near Kershaw during the All Star Game but not having much time to talk. The World Baseball Classic environment offers a completely different experience.

“Now we can sit and talk whenever we want,” Skenes wrote. “I’m like a kid in a candy store with that. Moments like that reflect how quickly Skenes’ career has evolved.

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