How Paul Skenes Made His Cy Young Victory About Veterans, Not Himself

2025 Cy Young Award winner and two-time MLB All-Star Paul Skenes traded the mound for the Drive-Thru in West Palm Beach on Thursday morning, stepping behind the counter at Raising Cane's to serve those who've served our nation. The Pittsburgh Pirates' pitching phenom spent the day handing out Box Combos to veterans before accepting a $500,000 donation to the Gary Sinise Foundation on their behalf. The milestone moment capped off a whirlwind 24 hours for the 23-year-old, who celebrated his unanimous Cy Young victory by giving back rather than partying. Skenes recently teamed up with Raising Cane's for its Veterans Day campaign, helping to raise funds for the nonprofit founded by actor and humanitarian Gary Sinise. The organization supports veterans, first responders, and their families through housing, relief programs, and community outreach.

During a press conference before clocking in, Skenes told media, including The Blast, that partnering with Raising Cane's and the Gary Sinise Foundation felt deeply meaningful. "This partnership is special. Cane's is a household name, so for them to be willing to partner with the Gary Sinise Foundation is very selfless," Skenes said. He added that baseball struggles "aren't adversity" compared to the challenges faced by America's service members, noting that supporting them "really puts things in perspective."

According to Skenes, the $500,000 donation will be used "very directly to help veterans, from building houses to putting on events for veterans and their kids, fallen soldiers and airmen."

Skenes' deep connection to the military began long before his MLB days. As a former Air Force cadet, his years in the academy shaped both his character and discipline.

"The Air Force Academy and the military as a whole is built around a few key concepts… one of them is 'how you do everything is how you do anything,'" Skenes said, explaining that the environment taught him to approach every part of life with purpose. "The two years I spent there, I got better as a person and as a baseball player."

That ethos, he says, is why giving back to veterans is non-negotiable.

Fresh off his Cy Young win, Skenes isn't easing up. "I'm celebrating the Cy Young Award by getting back to work!" he said. "I know I'm not a finished product… I'm just figuring out ways to get better."

Skenes explained that this off-season will focus on identifying what the Pirates need and refining the "how," the day-to-day discipline that leads to winning baseball. "We're always talking, texting, and shooting ideas back and forth," he said of his teammates. "The work has got to get done."

Paul Skenes and Raising Cane's share deep Louisiana roots. The chain's first-ever restaurant opened across from LSU's North Gates, the same campus where Skenes led the Tigers to the 2023 College World Series title. After that historic win, Skenes and coach Jay Johnson worked a celebratory "shift" at Cane's flagship location, kicking off a years-long relationship.

His girlfriend, Livvy Dunne, an LSU legend in her own right, Sports Illustrated Swimsuit model, and the most-followed college athlete in the country, also partnered with the brand this year for her first-ever non-NIL and only QSR deal. Together, Skenes and Dunne have formed a close friendship with Raising Cane's owner and founder, Todd Graves, one that goes far beyond campaigns.

"It was great having my good friend Paul out to Cane's today," Graves said. "Paul and I both share a passion for giving back and supporting our nation's veterans… Paul is a great guy both on and off the field and had a great season. I've loved following his journey from winning the College World Series to now unanimously winning the coveted Cy Young Award."

During the press conference, Paul Skenes also opened up about a few lighter viral moments, including his now-famous Cy Young Awards reaction. Fans joked that his animated celebration was a big departure from last year's more subdued rookie-year moment, and Skenes took the internet chatter in stride. "People are having fun with it," he said. "I'm not a reaction-heavy person… but it was fun."

He also addressed the widely circulated rumor that he eats 5,000 calories a day to maintain peak performance. "It's up there," Skenes admitted with a smile. "I eat a lot, but it's closer to 3,000 or 3,500, not 5,000."

And when it comes to Raising Cane's, the Cy Young winner didn't hesitate to name his go-to order: the Caniac Combo. "Just give me the most food possible," he joked.

Paul Skenes may have just secured one of baseball's biggest honors, but Thursday's event showed where his heart truly lies, and that is honoring those who serve.

From his Air Force roots to his booming MLB career and his long-standing bond with Raising Cane's, Skenes continues to use his platform for purpose.

And in West Palm Beach, the Cy Young champ proved that the best victories extend far beyond the diamond.