Michael Keaton swung by the Pirates clubhouse at PNC Park before Sunday’s game, chatting with Konnor Griffin, Spencer Horwitz, Nick Gonzales and another famous Yinzer, manager Don Kelly.
Keaton, who grew up about 20 minutes west of the city in Robinson, did not meet Paul Skenes.
It's not that Skenes was unwilling. Keaton simply refused to bother the Pirates ace before his start against the Marlins.
“I don’t like to talk to guys before the game,” Keaton said. “You don’t want to talk to me, man. You need to be thinking about what you’re doing.
“I know when I’m not working, I’m into other things. But once the switch gets flipped, that’s it. It’s hard for me to focus on anything else. I’m locked in.”
It’s that switch Keaton loves so much about Skenes, the commitment to his craft and obsession with his work. The incredible results and National League Cy Young Award surely don’t hurt the cause, either.
But Keaton, a sports fan who was pulling hard for the New York Knicks en route to their NBA championship, loves watching Skenes because he considers him such a rare breed, a player who’s very obviously different.
“He’s a really great example … I love watching Jalen Brunson for the Knicks,” Keaton said. “Those kinds of people are really good examples for kids, especially Skenes. His work ethic is exemplary and exceptional. The thing he does with the water bag … just the idea of thinking of that. That’s dedication.
“It’s like any job. If you’re really locked in … if you look at those kinds of people, not just athletes … that’s what separates the great ones.”
The acclaimed actor would certainly know. While talking about Skenes being unique, Keaton randomly launched into a story about calling Barry Bonds back in his Pirates days.
It was early December. Bonds was mid-workout. Keaton asked why, at that time of the year, was he operating at such an intense level.
“He said, ‘I’m a professional baseball player. This is what I have to do to be good,’ ” Keaton recalled.
A year or so ago, Keaton was watching another Pirate, Bryan Reynolds, acclimate to a new position for 25 minutes or so pregame. Keaton marveled at the attention to detail, the same way he does with Skenes’ warmup routine and how he carries himself on the mound.
“That’s the difference between those kinds of people and others,” Keaton said. “That’s what makes the great ones.”
Keaton came to Sunday’s game with several family members, including his grandson, River. While grandpa likes watching Skenes, River is all in on Griffin. He’s also a huge Steelers and Penguins fan, which Batman was happy to report.
“He’s done,” Keaton said. “He’s cooked. He’s in for life.”
The offseason was encouraging for Keaton, who’s been critical of Pirates ownership in the past. He appreciated how they addressed the biggest weakness from 2025 — offense — while trotting out the largest Major League payroll in franchise history.
“Give credit where credit is due,” Keaton said. “People kept saying we need offense. Well, you got it. When people make improvements, as much as you can criticize someone, you always have to give them credit when they do something.
“This team is a much better team. They’re fun. Their offense is way, way better.”
Keaton said the financial disparity that exists in Major League Baseball “drives me crazy,” but he likes seeing small-market teams compete, even ones in the NL Central.
“The smart guys do it. Milwaukee does it. You can print that or not, but they do,” Keaton said. “Some people are very, very good at it. This year I think the [Pirates] got really good at it. You have to give them credit.”
As Keaton was talking, he tried his best to concentrate on the game. He loves watching all of his hometown teams, but there’s not a better venue to do it in his mind than PNC Park.
Especially with Skenes on the hill.
“Everyone says it — it’s the greatest,” Keaton said. “It’s so well laid out. Every time I watch one go in the river, I go, ‘Man, if they had just built it maybe 12 feet closer, you’d have so many going into the river.’ Every time one goes out, I go, ‘Oh, please make it on the fly.’ But we love coming here. It’s just such a beautiful park.”
Jason Mackey: Jason.Mackey@pirates.com and @JMackey_PGH.