Olivia Dunne turned heads at the MLB Awards by blending humor with star power, teasing her boyfriend Paul Skenes alongside Aaron Judge and Tarik Skubal, while reminding fans that even elite athletes share lighthearted moments.
Appearing on social media after the ceremony, Dunne highlighted the relaxed side of an event usually defined by speeches and statistics, using her platform to spotlight both achievement and personality.
“Acting like they know ball or sum,” Dunne captioned the post. Skenes, Judge and Skubal will play for Team USA in the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
The image showed the three stars in tailored suits preparing for interviews, blending formality with Dunne‘s playful tone, while fans quickly reacted to her ability to humanize some of baseball’s biggest names.
Her posts continued with a photo collection featuring Skenes holding his NL Cy Young Award, celebrating a breakthrough season that placed him among the league’s elite pitchers and rising icons.
“Bet on your work,” Skenes said candidly. “Trust the process, and never let anyone else define your ceiling. I’m here right now because I don’t understand the word ‘can’t.'”
His words echoed the themes of perseverance and belief that defined the evening, connecting his journey with Judge‘s long-term excellence and Dunne‘s public celebration.
Judge collects American League MVP honors
Aaron Judge stepped into the spotlight at the 101st New York Baseball Writers’ Association of America dinner to accept his third American League MVP Award, surrounded by family, teammates, and the long-standing tradition of the New York Yankees.
With the latest honor, Judge joined Yogi Berra, Joe DiMaggio, and Mickey Mantle as the only Yankees to earn three MVP trophies, securing his place among the franchise’s most iconic figures.
His season featured a .331 batting average, 53 home runs, and 114 RBIs, while he paced the majors in on-base percentage, slugging, OPS, runs, walks, and extra-base hits.
Winning his first batting title also made him the tallest champion in league history at 6-foot-7, while placing him among a rare group to combine that feat with at least 50 homers.
Judge‘s 53 home runs represented the highest total ever by a batting champion and marked his fourth season reaching the 50-homer plateau.
The MVP race remained close until the final vote, as Judge narrowly finished ahead of Cal Raleigh in one of the tightest contests in recent memory.
Rather than highlighting numbers, former teammate Anthony Rizzo focused on Judge‘s leadership habits, detailing how his preparation, attitude, and accountability shape the team environment.
“Playing in New York is different,” Rizzo said. “The lights shine brighter, the pressure is heavier, every moment is magnified, and not everyone’s built for this stage.
“You’ve seen a lot of guys fold under these big lights. And what he does every day with his selfless leadership is something that I admire.”
The event also took on deeper meaning when Rizzo offered a moving introduction, revealing how Judge‘s influence extends far beyond statistics and into the daily culture of the clubhouse.
“Without you, Aaron is not a three-time MVP,” Rizzo said, addressing Judge‘s wife, Samantha, from the stage. “You are such a rock for him. And what you bring, your steady presence is amazing.”
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