Skenes Hoists Cone, Powers Pirates Optimism

Skenes Hoists Cone, Powers Pirates Optimism

Paul Skenes, the fireballing ace of the Pittsburgh Pirates, is quickly becoming a symbol of hope for a franchise looking to turn the corner. Fresh off a strong start to the season, Skenes joined The Pat McAfee Show to discuss the team’s early success, the viral “Hoist the Cone” celebration, and the exciting young talent joining the Pirates.

Pirates Start Strong, Build Momentum

After dropping a series in New York, the Pirates bounced back by winning their series in Cincinnati. This put them at a .500 record heading into their home opener, a sign of progress that has the team and its fans energized. Skenes expressed excitement for the year ahead, highlighting the positive momentum the team is building.

“It’s been great. Um, you know, had a a lost the series in New York and then came back and won the series in Cincinnati and, you know, coming back home at a 500 record and fired up to to, you know, have the home opener tomorrow. It’s going to be a It’s going to be a fun year.”

Processing Tough Starts, Moving Forward

Skenes also touched on how he handles difficult outings, like a tough game in New York. He emphasized a no-nonsense approach to learning from mistakes without dwelling on them. For Skenes, every game is treated the same, focusing on what went right and what went wrong, regardless of the outcome. This mental toughness is key to his success.

“Yeah, just got to see it for what it is. Um, you know the it’s it’s never as bad as it seems. It’s never as good as it seems. So um just watching the game, you know, understanding what went wrong, what went well. And that’s that’s every game, you know, you treat it the same as every game.”

“Hoist the Cone” Becomes a Phenomenon

A new tradition has taken Pittsburgh by storm: “Hoisting the Cone.” This quirky celebration, which involves raising a traffic cone after a win, has captivated the internet and become a rallying cry for the Pirates. Skenes explained that the tradition started organically when Jake Mangum brought a cone into the dugout. Billy Cook then took on the role of the official “cone bearer,” lifting it whenever good things happened.

The cone’s journey even predates its dugout appearance, with a shirt that read “Hoist the Cone” appearing in the offseason without anyone knowing what it meant. The team even believes the cone might have been borrowed from a parking lot in Cincinnati. Skenes hopes the tradition continues, especially if the Pirates make a deep playoff run into October.

Excitement Builds for Connor Bednar’s Debut

Adding to the buzz in Pittsburgh, highly touted prospect Connor Bednar is set to make his MLB debut. Skenes, who knows Bednar, described him as a mature and talented 19-year-old. He believes Bednar will bring significant energy and skill to the Pirates, further fueling the team’s optimism.

“Yeah, I’m fired up. Um, you know, if Bucko fans needed anything else to get excited about for the home opener that, you know, they got it. So um, it’s it’s great. You know, he’s uh super mature. He’s 19 right now. You would never know it talking to him.”

Adjusting to Life in the Big Leagues

Skenes also shared insights into the challenges young players face when adjusting to life in Major League Baseball. The constant travel, unfamiliar cities, and hotel stays can be tough, even with the comforts of the big leagues compared to the minor leagues. He noted that simple things like sleep and eating habits require adjustments.

Commitment to Giving Back

Beyond the diamond, Skenes continues his commitment to the Gary Sinise Foundation. This is his third year partnering with the organization, which supports veterans and first responders. He spoke passionately about the foundation’s work, including a week at Disney World for families dealing with loss, calling it a “heavy” but important mission.

Skenes and Pat McAfee are also continuing their pledge to donate $100 per strikeout this season to the foundation, with a goal of raising $150,000. They are even upping the ante this year, with a proposed $500 donation per strikeout.

Embracing the ABS System

The conversation also touched on the Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) system. Skenes, a former catcher, admitted he was initially hesitant but has come to embrace it. He finds it adds accuracy and excitement to the game, even though he hasn’t personally challenged a call yet, preferring to let his catchers handle it.

“Yeah, I think it’s definitely going to help um the game. I I don’t I think in my two starts, I don’t think I’ve had anyone challenge. Uh I haven’t I So, I’m I’m never going to challenge. Uh there’s uh cuz you know as a pitcher you think everything’s a strike. You get emotional and and uh you know when you when you get emotional that that doesn’t help you.”

He acknowledged that the system has led to some exciting moments and has even helped win games, like a walk-off call that secured a victory for Baltimore. Skenes sees it as a positive change that brings more clarity and electricity to baseball.

Source: Paul Skenes Breaks Down "Hoisting The Cone," & Rebounding Off Tough First Game | Pat McAfee Show (YouTube)