Pirates Honor Past and Present as Skenes Receives Cy Young Recognition

As the Pittsburgh Pirates continue their efforts to build toward a return to postseason contention in 2026, the club is using a special pregame ceremony to bridge its past and present. Before Friday’s game against the Tampa Bay Rays, the organization will honor both recent success and its last era of October baseball.

Former All-Star pitcher A.J. Burnett, a key member of Pittsburgh’s 2015 playoff team, is scheduled to deliver the ceremonial first pitch. The event is designed to connect fans with one of the franchise’s most recent competitive peaks.

The highlight of the evening will come when ace Paul Skenes receives his 2025 National League Cy Young Award in front of the home crowd at PNC Park. The honor represents one of the highest individual achievements in the sport.

Adding historical significance, former Cy Young winner Doug Drabek will present the award, linking generations of Pirates pitching excellence in a symbolic passing of recognition.

1. A Ceremony Bridging Generations

Drabek’s presence adds a historical layer to the celebration, as he remains one of only a few Pirates pitchers to win the Cy Young Award. His 1990 season remains a benchmark for pitching excellence in franchise history. The decision for Drabek to present the award carries added meaning, as he previously announced Skenes as the winner during the offseason. Bringing that moment into a live ballpark setting completes a full-circle narrative. Drabek currently works as a pitching coach in the Arizona Diamondbacks organization, but received special permission to attend the ceremony in Pittsburgh. His return to PNC Park highlights the significance of the occasion. The Pirates, who have not returned to the NL Championship Series since the early 1990s, are using the moment to reconnect fans with the franchise’s competitive past.

2. Skenes’ Rapid Rise to Elite Status

Skenes’ Cy Young recognition comes after a dominant season that solidified his place among the league’s premier pitchers. Despite an uneven start to 2026, his overall trajectory remains steeply upward. He opened the season with a difficult outing against the New York Mets, but has since rebounded with consistent performances that have lowered his season ERA significantly. Over his most recent stretch of 17 1/3 innings, Skenes has allowed just three earned runs, showcasing improved command and efficiency. That rebound has reaffirmed his status as a frontline starter. In addition to his Cy Young Award, Skenes has already established himself as a two-time All-Star and the 2025 National League Rookie of the Year, signaling one of the most rapid ascents in recent memory.

3. Historical Context and Team Aspirations

Drabek’s career serves as a reminder of what sustained pitching excellence can mean for Pittsburgh. During his Cy Young-winning season in 1990, he helped guide the Pirates into three consecutive postseason appearances. Although the franchise reached the NL Championship Series during that stretch, it has not returned to that stage since, underscoring the importance of the current roster’s development. Drabek also experienced postseason heartbreak, including a memorable Game 7 loss in 1992 despite a strong pitching performance. Those moments remain part of the franchise’s historical identity. For Skenes and the current Pirates, the hope is that individual accolades will eventually translate into sustained team success and a return to meaningful October baseball.