Sidney Crosby's absence was felt as Team Canada took a tough hit in the gold medal game against Team USA at the 2026 Winter Olympics. Crosby, sidelined by a lower-body injury, watched from afar as his team fell 2-1 in an electrifying overtime showdown.
Meanwhile, Pittsburgh Pirates' ace Paul Skenes was glued to the action from the clubhouse at LECOM Park. The NL Cy Young award winner, set to pitch for Team USA in the upcoming World Baseball Classic, shared his thoughts on the Olympic victory.
“It’s pretty cool,” Skenes remarked, capturing the excitement of the moment. “It’s what we’re walking into.”
Skenes and his teammates are gearing up to kick off their WBC campaign on March 6 in Houston, where they’ll face Brazil. Reflecting on past experiences, Skenes mentioned, “I watched the movie ‘Miracle,’ and I’ve watched the Olympics and the 2017 WBC when Team USA won.
I’ve also had the chance to play for Team USA a couple of times. We haven’t won the gold yet, and it’s not a good feeling to go to another country and lose.
We’re looking to change that.”
Wearing the red, white, and blue is a significant honor for Skenes, who described it as “bigger than all of us.”
While the Pirates are set to open their 2026 season against the New York Mets on March 26, Skenes’ focus is already shifting. He’ll leave Pittsburgh’s Spring Training on March 1, heading to Arizona for final preparations with Team USA, just days before their WBC opener.
As the excitement builds, Skenes and his teammates are ready to make their mark on the international stage, driven by the passion and pride of representing their country.