MLB Superstar Makes Incredible Commitment To Supporting Veterans And Their Families

Rising MLB superstar Paul Skenes, who is currently ranked as the top pitching prospect in all of baseball, will be donating $100 per strikeout to the Gary Sinise Foundation, which assists families of fallen U.S. service members.

Skenes has become the talk of the baseball world after a dominant outing in his second Major League Game. The Pirates’ phenom struck out 11 batters and went six innings without allowing a hit while pitching at the historic Wrigley Field last week, at one point fanning seven Cubs hitters in a row.

Skenes spent two years as a cadet in the U.S. Air Force Academy before transferring to Louisiana State University to pursue baseball full-time. While speaking with Newsmax, the rising star explained that service is still very much on his mind.

For every strikeout recorded this season, Skenes will be donating $100 to the Gary Sinise Foundation. He hopes to raise at least $100,000 throughout the course of a season, which seems like a more than reasonable goal given the fact that his fastball is routinely clocked north of 100 miles per hour.

Skenes, who grew up in a military family, told Newsmax that he wanted to do something to raise money for his ailing father. His dad suggested that he donate to the Gary Sinise Foundation.

“It’s a dream come true to even be in the position that I’m in and I think the big thing for me is to kind of give back to the communities that have gotten me to where I am,” Skenes said. “Spending two years at the Air Force Academy, I wouldn’t be here without that place and the people that are there.”

The former number one overall pick went on to thank military veterans and their families for the sacrifices they make and stated that he wants to do whatever he can to repay them. Two of Skenes’ uncles attended the Naval Academy, while another is teaching at the coast guard academy.

Sinise explained that the foundation seeks to assist the families of fallen U.S. service members and assist veterans who are dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder.

“We do all kinds of things at the Gary Sinise Foundation, and the reason our our mission is so broad is because prior to starting it, I was just raising my hand for all these different organizations that were doing all kinds of different things, and I learned where all these various needs were,” Sinise said.

“When I started my own foundation, I just wanted to keep doing that and expanding those programs and services. … We continue to try and expand our programs to make sure that we never forget the sacrifices that are made to keep us free.”

According to a recent USAToday feature from baseball reporter Bob Nightengale, Skenes intends to serve his country once his baseball career concludes.

“He will serve his country in some manner moving forward. It’s just going to be a matter of when. Paul and I have spoken about that piece. We’ll get him back in the military once his professional playing days are over. It’s a big deal for Paul to be able to serve our country,” said Air Force head baseball coach Mike Kazlausky.