By Sarah Roebuck
Editorial Staff
PITTSBURGH — A rookie pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates and an ESPN sports analyst are donating to a foundation that supports first responders and their families.
Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes is donating $100 per strikeout to the Gary Sinise Foundation, On3 reported. The foundation’s mission is to “serve our nation by honoring our defenders, veterans, first responders, their families and those in need.”
Skenes has already donated $700 to the foundation this season.
While Skenes was a guest on Pat McAfee’s show on May 14, McAfee agreed to match the $100 per strikeout donation. McAfee also stated that if Skenes breaks the Major League Baseball record for 20 strikeouts in a nine-inning game, he will donate $1 million to the foundation.
Skenes recorded seven strikeouts in just four innings during his opening start, according to On3. Although breaking the strikeouts record will be challenging, Skenes and McAfee are expected to donate a substantial amount of money to the Gary Sinise Foundation regardless of the strikeout outcome.