Paul Skenes delivers signed cap to World Baseball Classic legend

United States.- American pitcher Paul Skenes starred in a symbolic gesture during the Pittsburgh Pirates’ spring training by gifting an autographed cap of the United States team to former Japanese star Daisuke Matsuzaka, considered one of the most outstanding players in the history of the World Baseball Classic.

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The meeting took place at the club’s camp in Bradenton, where Skenes is preparing to compete in the international tournament for the first time. In a video released by the organization, the right-hander gave the signed cap to Matsuzaka and told him that it was the first one he had autographed with the colors of the U.S. national team. Matsuzaka is an emblematic figure of the competition. In the inaugural edition of 2006, he led Japan to the title and was chosen as the Most Valuable Player, a recognition he repeated in 2009 when his team defended the crown. In the tournament, he holds historical records that include the all-time lead in victories (6) and strikeouts (23), in addition to second place in innings pitched (27.2), with a cumulative ERA of 1.95. Skenes, the reigning National League Cy Young Award winner, will lead the rotation of the American team that will debut in Group B against Brazil on March 6, seeking to begin his own outstanding career within the international tournament.