Olivia Dunne, one of the most recognizable figures in American sports culture, became the center of online chatter during the Pittsburgh Pirates‘ final series of the 2025 MLB season. – including a jab from her sister, Julz.
The younger Dunne daughter added fuel to the moment with a lighthearted joke, highlighting the gymnast’s sense of humor off the mat when her older sibling was in Cincinnati to watch her boyfriend, Paul Skenes.
The Pirates pitcher made his last start of the year and tension was high as Skenes battled the Reds, and Dunne‘s anxious body language reflected the atmosphere.
Cameras captured her with her arms raised during a stressful inning, revealing sweat stains on her grey shirt. The clip quickly spread across social media, where comments ranged from blunt observations to unsettling offers to purchase the shirt.
One fan quipped, “We seen them armpits you ain’t slick.” Another joked, “You put the ‘pit’ in Pittsburgh.”
Dunne coolly replied, “You’d break a sweat too being a Pirates fan.”
But Julz, her sister, offered her own playful perspective with the remark, teasing her older sibling for the moment that spread like wildfire across various social media platforms.
“Don’t sweat it! Season’s over,” Julz quipped, a joke helped shift the conversation, reinforcing the Dunne family‘s ability to turn viral scrutiny into levity.
Following the incident, Dunne shared a “highlight reel” from the season on social media.
The gallery included images of her with Skenes, moments from her travels, and behind-the-scenes glimpses from ballparks. The post reframed the narrative, showing her followers that her role extended far beyond one viral clip.
On the field, Skenes delivered one final reminder of why he has become a cornerstone of the Pirates‘ future. The 23-year-old right-hander shut down Cincinnati’s lineup in his final start, keeping them scoreless before the contest eventually went to extra innings.
While he didn’t record the win, the Pirates secured victory. Ironically, it was an inverse of a campaign that established Skenes as one of the league’s premier pitchers as he finished his second pro campaign with a 1.97 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, 216 strikeouts, and a 7.6 WAR across 187.2 innings pitched.
Those figures make him a leading candidate for the National League Cy Young Award, placing him among the elite pitchers in Major League Baseball despite the Pirates’ struggles as a team.
Yankees reject Paul Skenes trade because of one key reasons
The scale of Skenes‘ emergence has already shaped trade discussions. According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the New York Yankees have received repeated inquiries about their top prospect, outfielder Spencer Jones.
However, the Yankees have reportedly made clear that they would only part with him in a package for Paul Skenes.
“Teams with good/great pieces consistently ask the Yankees about top OF prospect Spencer Jones,” Heyman wrote on X.com, formerly Twitter. “The Yankees are consistent on this too.
“They will only trade Jones (and others in package) for Paul Skenes, who’s not available and not going anywhere.”
At 6-foot-7 with considerable raw power, Jones has generated buzz since being drafted in 2022, but his ranking at No. 93 on Baseball America’s midseason top-100 prospect list underscores that his current value is far below that of Skenes.
Insiders believe the comparison reflects more on the Yankees‘ public messaging than any realistic scenario. Whilst for the Pirates, keeping Skenes is central to their long-term plans – assuming they can find some form on the field to keep him happy.
His dominance on the mound offers the organization a rare foundation piece as they attempt to return to postseason relevance. His ability to overpower hitters while maintaining control makes him not just the face of the Pirates, but a pitcher many consider untouchable in today’s trade market.
As the season closes, Dunne and Skenes remain a focal point both on and off the field. For Dunne, viral moments and playful family banter only add to her visibility as a cultural figure.
For Skenes, statistical dominance and Cy Young contention confirm his place as one of baseball’s brightest young stars.
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