In nod to their roots, Skenes, Jax arrange for Air Force cadets to watch USA-Mexico

HOUSTON -- Paul Skenes has dominated on the mound in an Air Force uniform. In an LSU uniform. In a Bradenton Marauders and Altoona Curve and Indianapolis Indians uniform. And of course in a Pittsburgh Pirates uniform.

But the one he's wearing right now is different.

"Out of all the jerseys I've had over the past few years," Skenes said before making his World Baseball Classic debut for the United States on Monday night, "the USA one is the one I'm most proud of wearing."

For Skenes, as a former Air Force cadet, representing his country in the WBC means even more.

And when Skenes takes the mound against Mexico at Daikin Park, the entire current Air Force baseball team will be in the stands to watch him.

Skenes and fellow U.S. pitcher Griffin Jax, who also attended Air Force Academy, coordinated tickets for the Air Force cadets to attend the game.

"They're special guys," Team USA manager Mark DeRosa said of Skenes and Jax. "I had special conversations with both of them. Obviously their process is a little bit different than the rest of the guys in the room, living that military background and going to school and attending Air Force.

"Every guy in that room is proud to represent the United States of America. But the conversations with them were a little bit different, as far as wanting to represent every serviceman and woman who protects our freedom on a nightly basis. They're thinking a little bit different."

The Air Force squad was in Texas this weekend to play Baylor. Thanks to Skenes and Jax, two of just three big leaguers to hail from Air Force, the Falcons get to stick around an extra day to watch Team USA in its marquee matchup of the WBC.

Skenes played for Air Force from 2021-22, starring as both a catcher and pitcher. He won the 2022 John Olerud Award there as the nation's best two-way player. After that season, Skenes transferred from Air Force to LSU and became a pitcher full-time.

Jax pitched at Air Force from 2014-16, became the first graduate of the Academy to play in the Major Leagues and is a Captain in the U.S. Air Force Reserve.

Heading into his start against Mexico, maybe the biggest game in all of pool play at the 2026 Classic, Skenes also penned a letter for The Players' Tribune, explaining his history at the Air Force Academy and what putting on the Team USA jersey means to him because of that.

It's not the first time he's done it -- Skenes also played for the U.S. National Team when he was 12 years old and, in an incredible twist of fate, he caught a no-hitter pitched by current USA teammate Pete Crow-Armstrong. But this time is much bigger.