When an MLB star gives back to his roots, it speaks louder than any performance on the field. That was the situation with the Pirates star Paul Skenes, whose humble gesture toward his old middle school sparked admiration and heartfelt reactions. The story attracted more spotlight when Olivia Dunne, Skenes’ girlfriend and LSU star-turned-social-media-icon, dropped a three-word statement that perfectly summed up the gesture.

A couple of months ago, Paul Skenes teamed up with Topps to send boxes of baseball cards to Serrano Intermediate School in Lake Forest, California. This is the school where the Pirates star once walked the halls as a student. In a video message, Skenes said: “Hey everyone, I’m Paul Skenes and I think this box of Topps Finest is pretty cool! I think back about my days in middle school pretty frequently… So, enjoy some boxes of cards on me, and hopefully, you’ll pull something good! Go, Pirates and go Seahawks!” It was a gesture intended to inspire young collectors.

The post quickly went viral, and Olivia Dunne’s reply to that post stole the attention. She simply said: “For the kids❤️”. The three-word reaction highlights how Dunne uplifts and amplifies her partner’s charitable activities. Dunne’s reaction struck the perfect balance: short, sincere, and supportive. This also mirrors the couple’s reputation as Gen Z’s favorite sports power duo.

However, there is more depth that shows why this incident resonated so deeply. In November 2024, Topps released its 2024 Chrome Update box. That release featured the ultra-rare Paul Skenes 1/1 Rookie Debut Patch Autograph card. The unique collectible was famously pulled by a young fan on Christmas Day, sparking nationwide excitement among card enthusiasts. By sending fresh boxes to his alma mater, Paul Skenes was not just sharing memorabilia; the Pirates star was fueling the same kind of magic that brought joy to that young collector.

This was not the first time he connected directly with young fans, either. Earlier in May 2024, multiple school buses filled with elementary students attended Skenes’ third MLB start, and some of them were donning fake mustaches in Skenes’ honor. One boy used a live TV interview to shout out, “His mustache and LIVVY DUNNE!” moments that highlight how he and his girlfriend have become larger-than-life figures for kids. By linking his generosity with Dunne’s heartfelt support, they continue to establish a thought process that stretches beyond MLB—one relayed to family, community, and inspiration.

While Dunne’s three-word reaction highlighted the personal side of Skenes, analysts across MLB are locked in on a larger question—just how high can the Pirates’ star climb in MLB’s history books?

MLB analyst declares Paul Skenes the “Best Pitcher Ever”

Paul Skenes’ dominance on the mound has become unignorable. In his latest outing against the Dodgers, the 23-year-old right-hander threw six scoreless innings, allowing just two hits and striking out eight. That kind of production has been routine in 2025, as he owns a razor-thin 1.98 ERA across 173 innings with nearly 200 strikeouts. Those stats alone would make him a Cy Young frontrunner, but now they have ignited an even bolder gossip: whether Skenes is already rephrasing what greatness means for modern pitchers.

That debate reached new heights when MLB analyst Kody Duncan went viral for calling Skenes “the greatest pitcher I’ve ever seen.” The claim was eye-catching, particularly considering Skenes is only in his second big-league season. Comparisons to legends such as Justin Verlander and Clayton Kershaw are already surfacing, yet some argue it is far too early to crown him the best. As electric as his stuff is, durability and longevity remain the ultimate tests. Still, if his trajectory continues at this level, it is not hard to see why some believe Skenes could be the outlier who defines a new pitching era.

Paul Skenes continues to balance humility off the field with pure dominance on it, making him both a role model and a rising legend. Whether he truly becomes the “best pitcher ever” remains to be seen, but fans should enjoy the ride now, because the future may be in the making.

Paul Skenes’ generosity and rising stardom continue to inspire both on and off the field. Together with Olivia Dunne’s unwavering support, they represent the new face of sportsmanship and community impact in MLB’s future.