When you throw 100 mph and dominate big-league hitters, people expect you to chase Cy Youngs, not lawnmowers. But Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes isn’t your average flamethrower. While fans were laughing at his viral grass-cutting moment, his former coach revealed a dream that’s no joke. Behind the All-Star numbers and backyard banter lies a mission that has nothing to do with baseball, but everything to do with purpose.

Paul Skenes is an absolute G. Just at the age of 23, Skenes is almost at the top of the world when it comes to pitching and might be one of the best in the game right now. With his unstoppable form, Skenes is now completing side quests, and people are saying he even has an after-baseball retirement plan.

In a recent post, Paul Skenes was seen cutting grass at the stadium with the groundsmen, and it became a sensation. Reporter Noah Hiles said that Skenes has included this in his post-retirement plans. While this joke was making its rounds, his former coach, Mike Kazlausky, gave a different update. As reported by the dugout forever Instagram page, “Paul Skenes plans to serve in the US military once he is done with his baseball career, according to his former coach, Mike Kazlausky.”

Probably, the Air Force Academy shaped this choice deeply. Back in 2021, a 6’5” Paul Skenes was crammed into a tiny dorm bed. His feet dangled in a sink while discipline, duty, and reveille ruled his mornings.

Basic training forged Skenes’s routine and mindset, waking daily at 5 a.m. and surviving chow deadlines. He wasn’t just lifting weights and studying military history — he was building resilience. Amid endless drills and 15-minute meals, he quietly sharpened his throwing arm and his will. The grind wasn’t optional; it was his purpose.

Skenes had grown from a 5’10”, 150-pound sophomore to a 6’6”, 250-pound Division I phenom. But more than size, it was his fire to serve that stood taller. He could’ve chosen Stanford or UCLA, but picked Air Force to fly jets and earn something bigger. His teammates saw the seriousness — a guy who wanted Friday nights on the mound and a flag on his shoulder.

Even now, as a Major League star, Skenes hasn’t shelved those ambitions. His former coach shared that serving remains his post-baseball dream. Cutting grass after games, blasting fastballs during them — both feel like missions for him. It’s not about flash. It’s about honor, grit, and a quiet oath to something greater.

So while the internet chuckles at the thought of Paul Skenes swapping cleats for a lawnmower, the man himself is plotting something far more noble. His game isn’t just built for highlight reels — it’s wired for duty, discipline, and something deeper than box scores. Skenes may mow down hitters today and grass tomorrow, but don’t mistake the humor for hesitation. When the fastballs stop flying, this ace plans to serve something far bigger than baseball — the United States of America.

Don’t believe his coach? Paul Skenes himself talks about his dream

At this point, Paul Skenes might be the only guy throwing 100 mph and chasing 100 life goals. The Pittsburgh Pirates ace isn’t just mowing down hitters or joking with groundskeepers — he’s been dropping hints all along. While fans debated if his coach was being serious, Skenes quietly confirmed it himself.

Paul Skenes’ love for the game is undeniable, but so is his respect for the military. Growing up in awe of those who served, he envisioned himself in uniform long before cleats. “We can never repay what they do,” he shared, honoring their daily sacrifices for freedom. Two years at the Air Force Academy only solidified that mindset—and shaped the calm, relentless pitcher we see today.

Even after becoming the No. 1 draft pick, Skenes hasn’t forgotten the ones who shaped him. “Basically, I get one shot to play baseball… I get a bunch of opportunities to serve,” he said, explaining his tough decision to leave the Academy. He still found ways to give back, donating $17,000—$100 for each of his 170 strikeouts to the Gary Sinise Foundation. That balance of purpose and performance makes him stand out far beyond the mound.

Skenes already knows where life takes him after baseball—and it’s back to the world that built him. “Coaching at Air Force, Army, Navy… I want to kind of pay it forward,” he mentioned. His future goal isn’t just to win games, but to mold strong, disciplined individuals. For Skenes, this journey isn’t just about baseball—it’s a lifelong mission of service.

So, while the rest of the league chases endorsements and ego boosts, Skenes chases legacy. He’s not just aiming for Cy Youngs—he’s drafting blueprints for a life beyond the box score. The Pirates found an ace, but America might’ve found a future general in cleats. Because when Paul Skenes throws heat, it’s with purpose—and possibly a five-year plan.