Air Force Team Cheers on Skenes at WBC

Paul Skenes, a standout pitcher for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic, is connecting with his past while competing on the international stage. The entire current Air Force baseball team was in attendance to watch Skenes pitch against Mexico, thanks to arrangements made by Skenes and fellow Air Force alumnus Griffin Jax. Both players, who are among the few Major Leaguers to have attended the Air Force Academy, wanted to honor their military background. Skenes played for Air Force from 2021-2022, excelling as a two-way player before transferring to LSU. Jax, a Captain in the U.S. Air Force Reserve, previously became the first Academy graduate to play in the Major Leagues.

Skenes also expressed his pride and connection to his time at the Air Force Academy in a letter for The Players' Tribune. He reflected on what representing the United States means, especially given his military service. This experience is a significant step for Skenes, who previously played for a U.S. National Team at age 12, even catching a no-hitter from current teammate Pete Crow-Armstrong.