Skenes opens up about Classic experience, wants to bring that excitement to Pittsburgh

MIAMI -- After Paul Skenes exited Sunday’s World Baseball Classic semifinal against the Dominican Republic, he found himself in a conversation with Clayton Kershaw and posed a question to the Dodgers legend.

Skenes asked where the WBC -- an incredible event where this particular game packed 36,337 inside a raucous loanDepot park -- stacked up with the World Series.

They’re different, Kershaw said. But incredible in their own right.

Once the Team USA finished off a 2-1 victory thanks to plenty of Pittsburgh pitching (more on that shortly), Skenes revealed part of the reason for his inquiry while walking back to the clubhouse following his formal media availability.

“It’s definitely something I want to bring to Pittsburgh,” Skenes said in a one-on-one interview. “It’s just going to be a little different once it gets there.”

That’s OK. The red, white and blue can morph into black and gold. Nobody on the North Shore will mind.

Because it’s that thought, the Pirates creating and enjoying an environment where fans are hanging on every pitch and screaming their heads off, has been an ongoing topic of conversation between Skenes and those back in Bradenton.

It’s why Skenes said he’s so happy Dennis Santana, Gregory Soto and Oneil Cruz were on the other side for this one, as well as the entire WBC. They saw a similar version of what he did: the best in the world doing their thing, countless ideas to poach and rework to fit the Pirates.

“It’s been awesome to be with the guys, to see how the best in the world go about their business,” Skenes said. “There are a lot of commonalities among everybody in the clubhouse. Getting to see that up close for a sustained period of time, it’s been awesome.”

Before we get into an absolute classic of a game, there’s one more step for Skenes and Co., as they’ll take on either Italy or Venezuela on Tuesday. Nobody wants to go home without a gold medal. At the same time, Skenes admitted that he won’t mind getting back to normal Spring Training.

He feels a sense of momentum with what the Pirates are building and has learned a bunch of stuff that he’s eager to take home with him.

“Hopefully we’ll implement some of it in Pittsburgh, things that can make us better just by seeing how the best in the world go about their business,” Skenes said. “I’m excited to do that.”

‘It’s what we do’

The test for Skenes on Sunday was not a small one. The Dominican Republic had hit 14 home runs to tie the WBC record, then ultimately broke it with Junior Caminero’s blast off Skenes in the second.

Look up and down the lineup, and the group is stacked: Fernando Tatis Jr., Ketel Marte, Juan Soto, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Manny Machado and Caminero form the top-six.

Skenes, however, did his job. He worked 4 1/3 innings while allowing only that one run. The reigning NL Cy Young Award winner finished with two strikeouts and made pitches when he needed to.

Most of all, given the noise and pressure that were unavoidable in this setting, Skenes showed his uncommon maturity.

“Special presence,” Team USA manager Mark DeRosa said. “Special man. Wants the moment. Wasn’t too big for him. Controlled his emotions. Made pitches.”

As well as he pitched, Skenes might’ve been outdone by a couple of pitchers with true Pittsburgh roots. David Bednar Houdini’d his way out of the seventh, striking out Tatis (splitter) and Marte (curveball) on awkward swings.

Meanwhile, Mason Miller entered in the ninth and notched the save with two more strikeouts. Half of Miller’s pitches went at least 100 mph. Not a bad night for the fine people of Mt. Lebanon, Mars and Bethel Park.

“We got the job done,” Miller said.

“I think it comes down to unbelievably fastball velocity,” DeRosa added, talking specifically about Miller. “Facing some pretty big hitters, 101 or 102 [mph] is special stuff. But he can land the breaking ball as well. He has ice water in his veins.

“You were noticing that the entire night. The moment’s not too big for these guys.”

That may be true. But Skenes had a different way of looking at the Pittsburgh pitching performance.

“It’s what we do as Yinzers,” he said. “I guess I’m an honorary Yinzer. Yinzers are gritty. They do what it takes. [David Bednar] and Mason [Miller] have been doing what it takes. It’s been awesome."

‘Baseball won’

At its core, this was a hugely entertaining baseball game, filled with momentum swings and a few extremely impressive defensive plays.

Aaron Judge dove to caught a line drive and fired a strike to nail Tatis at third. Julio Rodriguez made an absurd catch at the center-field wall to rob Judge. Brice Turang had a neat diving stop. Bobby Witt Jr. turned a 6-3 double play to get Soto and end the fifth. Dominican pitchers struck out 15 against just one walk.

Coupled with solo homers for Gunnar Henderson and Roman Anthony and Team USA’s bullpen flexing its collective muscles, this game delivered on every ounce of the hype it received.

It’s why the WBC should happen every single possible year.

Baseball has unquestionably found its answer to hockey’s 4 Nations Faceoff.

“The WBC has this magnetic way of just growing the game of baseball,” DeRosa said. “I go back to last time when Ohtani struck out Mike Trout. Baseball won that night. Whether we won or didn’t win. Baseball won. I think baseball won again tonight.

“That was high-level baseball at its finest. A game we’ll remember forever, right?”

The leadup

Walking the concourse before the game, the excitement was palpable. Multiple marching bands passed through. Fans lined five and six deep to watch Skenes’ elaborate routine. During the game, the noise at times became deafening.

Torrey Poholsky even skipped out on a visit with his parents to see it.

The 39-year-old was visiting his folks in Accident, Md., when this semifinal was set. He refers to Skenes starts as “Skenes-mis” and explained that he left for the holidays.

“This is sick,” Poholsky said, looking around a packed concourse. “Regardless of whether Skenes is pitching, as a baseball fan, I’d have to be here, feel it out, see what it’s all about.

“But when I saw USA won, I was like, ‘Sorry. I’m coming back in April, I promise. But we have business to tend to.’ ”

Which Poholsky — whose dad grew up in Kittanning and whose sister lives in Murrsyville — did while wearing pants and a tie made to look like the American flag, plus a Stars and Stripes polo covered by his Paul Skenes jersey. Poholsky was also waving a couple Terrible Towels. Definitely a vibe.

Joe Bankovich was another Pittsburgh transplant who made the trip. He recently sold his McMurray home and lives full-time in Pompono Beach. Bankovich and his friend, Paul Proia, travel to a bunch of Skenes starts and happily paid $225 for their tickets.

Their affinity and respect for Skenes is not small.

“I was at the ’79 World Series, and I’ve loved the Pirates all my life,” Bankovich said. “But I don’t think I’ve seen anyone who can pitch like that. It definitely makes me excited about their chances this season.”