Paul Skenes’s rookie season with the Pittsburgh Pirates has been one for the storybooks. From the very first pitch to the last, he was a must-watch. A 1.96 ERA, 170 strikeouts in just 133 innings. Those numbers you can’t’ say speak—they shout! The Pirates may have been cautious about his workload, but even with the training wheels on, he ensured he made a huge mark. And he proved that maybe he is the best pitcher in the league.

But everyone knows this about Skenes. But at just 22 years old, with all the talent, did you know he is also so normal? He recently snagged the 2024 Jackie Robinson NL Rookie of the Year Award at the Baseball Writers Association of America dinner. There he delivered a heartfelt speech thanking the Pirates. One would think after such a great season, he would be living the high life or be out partying, right?

Well, in a recent interview with Foul Territory, Skenes admitted that in his free time, “I don’t have much else to do.” Wait, what? Turns out that while many 22-year-olds might be living it up, Skenes is cooking steak, training, and looking forward to the baseball season starting again.

Also, the steak bit is true; he has admitted to loving steaks. “Um, I like to cook a little bit. Steaks. Yeah, it’s—I’m a—I’m pretty much a one-trick pony. Um, okay. But I’d like to think I’m, I’d like to think I’m, you know, really good at it all,” said Paul Skenes on what he does in his free time, of course besides just growing even taller!

Listening to his answer, Foul Territory hosts were in awe. A. Pierzynski reminded Paul Skenes might be forgetting his girlfriend Olivia Dunne, “Liv’s here with you, obviously. I mean, you’re talking about how you don’t have anything to do. I mean, I can’t get married. You could be baseball’s power couple. That would be on the list—things people want to see.” Well Dunne herself is also no stranger to the limelight and is a star gymnast at Louisiana State University. But Skenes is only 22, so marriage may be far off from the cards, and hence he didn’t respond much to the statement.

But the couple sure did have a gala time. Dunne often shares about their personal life on her social handles. And she does have a huge following there. Recently she shared a quick video of her and her beau on a casual stroll in Central Park. She even posted a sneak peek before the big event, where she was adjusting Skenes’s collar while she looked beautiful in a gown.

Paul Skenes rookie card finder rejects Olivia Dunne’s offer

One of the most talked-about topics isn’t just Paul Skenes’s Rookie of the Year accolade. But rather, the rare card of his which has been found. Yes, Topps had released a 1/1 Paul Skenes rookie patch card with an autograph. A rather rare card. And then a nationwide hunt for this card went on. Pittsburgh Pirates had already offered big things for anyone who found it. Season tickets for three decades, a massive prize package for anyone who got it. And well, someone did find it—an 11-year-old from Los Angeles.

Even the fact that an LA resident found it is making fans yawn right now. Anyhow, Olivia Dunne had sweetened the pot by saying that she would offer the finder an opportunity to watch the Pirates game with her from her suite at PNC Park. However, the 11-year-old has nothing to benefit from both the offers and he rejected the offers from both. But it’s not surprising, right? But what’s surprising is what the 11-year-old, decided to do with the card.

In a route no one saw coming—he is sending that Paul Skenes rare card to auction. And all the proceeds from that are going to go to the wildfire relief efforts in Los Angeles. Several people have been affected by the massive fires there, and these proceeds will help the entire community, front-line workers, and even displaced animals.

Truly the entire community is coming together for LA. Even an 11-year-old! What do you think about Paul Skenes, though? Let us know!