PHOTO: Paul Skenes' All-Star Game hat to be enshrined in Baseball Hall of Fame following rookie's scoreless start against AL's finest
Pittsburg Pirates rookie Paul Skenes' strong debut season continued as the flamethrower threw a dominant first inning in the 2024 All-Star Game on Tuesday. The 22-year-old rookie sensation was rewarded for the performance on his All-Star debut.
Skenes already etched his name into history books as the rookie became the first player in MLB history to get an All-Star nod in the same year he was drafted in the major league.
He added another feather to his cap after his Pirates All-Star cap, worn during the Midsummer Classic was announced to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame for his unique feat. The announcement was made by the official Instagram account after the marquee event.
"Paul of Fame: The Pirates cap worn by Paul Skenes in his All-Star Game debut is headed to Cooperstown!"
Paul Skenes was named the National League starter for the 2024 All-Star Game at Globe Life Field earlier this month. The Pirates rookie delivered on the expectations after getting the better of four AL hitters in the first inning.
Skenes faced Steven Kwan, Gunnar Henderson, Juan Soto and Aaron Judge but passed the test with flying colors, without allowing a hit on 16 pitches, out of which 11 were strikes.
Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo joked about Paul Skenes' duration on the mound
Arizona Diamondbacks manager, Torey Lovullo, managing the NL team for the marquee event, had confirmed on Monday that Paul Skenes was unlikely to go beyond the first inning at Globe Life Field.
He stayed true to his words as Skenes was replaced after a dominant first inning. However, Lovullo had joked that he would've loved to keep Skenes out longer in an attempt to tire him as the Diamondbacks are due to face the rookie sensation in a three-game series later this month.
Lovullo said on Monday:
“So I would love to (pitch more than one inning). I'd love to watch him for two. Actually, I'd love to tire him out enough so he can't make one of his next starts because it will be against the Diamondbacks. I don't think that's going to happen.”
Skenes' strong start was backed by his NL teammate Shohei Ohtani, who blasted a three-run homer in the third inning. However, the AL fought their way back into the game with Juan Soto and eventual All-Star MVP Jarren Duran as AL continued their dominance at the Midsummer Classic with a 5-3 win.