Pittsburgh Pirates phenom pitcher Paul Skenes has made it to the National League All-Star team, and with the selection comes new MLB history. 

Skenes became the first player in league history to be taken No. 1 overall in the MLB Draft and then named the following year to an All-Star team, according to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale. 

Skenes debuted only two months ago, but the hype has been very real for the LSU product. 

The 22-year-old made his long-awaited debut on May 11 against the Chicago Cubs, where he mowed down seven hitters, while allowing one homer, six hits and two walks over his innings of work. 

Since then, Skenes has earned himself a 2.12 ERA over 10 starts, striking out 78 hitters with just 12 walks. Additionally, the Pirates are 7-3 in games he starts. 

PIRATES ROOKIE PHENOM PAUL SKENES MAKES MLB HISTORY WITH ANOTHER DOMINANT OUTING

“You definitely can’t expect it,” Skenes said of his All-Star Game bid, per the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. “I think it’s just a product of being present and doing the work that it takes, that kind of thing. The expectation was definitely to win the national championship when we were there. That was the only thing that we wanted to do. 

“But in terms of getting drafted first overall, getting called up whenever I was called up, and now the All-Star game, there were no expectations for me. It’s kind of just about doing as much as I can and allowing others to make the decision for me.”

Paul Skenes, #30 of the Pittsburgh Pirates, throws a pitch against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on May 17, 2024 in Chicago. (Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images)

Sporting a triple-digit fastball on the radar gun with some other nasty breaking pitches, Skenes has proven to be the young ace the Pirates hoped he would be one day. They are certainly not complaining that he is already making an impact in the bigs after needing just 12 minor league starts before his debut. 

“I think the thing we’re seeing with him is No. 1, he has really elite stuff,” manager Derek Shelton said of Skenes. “The things that we’re seeing on him is his ability to grow within starts. I think even the last two starts, the first couple innings he’s been out of sorts a bit with his mechanics, and we’ve seen him make adjustments and not let games get away from him. That’s a really rare thing for a young pitcher.”

There were several other firsts for National League pitchers alongside Skenes in this year’s All-Star Game, including Miami Marlins reliever Tanner Scott, Philadelphia Phillies reliever Matt Strahm and San Diego Padres reliever Robert Suarez, among others. 

Paul Skenes, #30 of the Pittsburgh Pirates, throws a pitch against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on May 17, 2024 in Chicago. (Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images)

In fact, each pitcher is either a first- or second-time All-Star except for Atlanta Braves starter Chris Sale, who will be pitching in his eighth All-Star Game. 

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Speaking to the media for the first time since his postseason was cut short in the first round of the playoffs, Clippers star Kawhi Leonard said his injured knee was feeling good, allowing him to participate with Team USA in the upcoming Olympics.

Though the knee issues that caused him to miss the final three games of the Clippers’ series with the Mavericks were concerning enough that Leonard feared he could miss another Olympics, his return to the court over the last month have him reassured.

“I took the time,” he said Sunday. “I was able to turn [it] around over the last two weeks. I’m out here now and I’m having a good time.”

Leonard declined to comment about Paul George’s decision to leave the Clippers in free agency, initially saying he wanted to just answer questions about Team USA. Leonard later clarified that he didn’t have problems with George or his decision to sign elsewhere.

As far as his decision to play this summer in Paris, Leonard said the Clippers were supportive in allowing him to pursue something that he’s passionate about that he hadn’t been able to do previously when asked.

“I’m just able to play right now. So I’m happy to go out there … with these talented players and be able to learn something from them. … I’ve always wanted to play against other talent overseas and just other basketball styles and plays. It’s one of the reason why I love the game. We could all teach each other how to shoot a basketball, but all our jump shots are going to look different.”

Leonard, who has struggled with injuries throughout the second half of his career, said he’s disappointed he hasn’t been healthier, particularly last season when he tried “to play as much as possible.”

“[I] felt great and you know at a certain period of time I couldn’t go,” he said. “I tried the best that I could, but it’s just my journey. You know I don’t want to be in the situation that I [am] in, but I gotta take it for what it is. And you know a lot of people are watching. Supporters or doubters. But I motivate a lot of people.

“So I gotta keep doing what I’m doing.”

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce was spotted in a seemingly emotional state during girlfriend Taylor Swift’s recent Eras Tour stop.

Videos have popped up on social media showing Kelce in a suite alongside his quarterback, Patrick Mahomes, and his wife, Brittany Mahomes, among others, where he appears to be wiping away tears during Swift’s performance in Amsterdam. 

Swift was performing a mashup of songs on the piano at the time, which fans believe were dedicated to Kelce, hence the emotion. 

At one point, Brittany Mahomes was seen talking to Kelce, perhaps trying to give the 34-year-old some love as Swift continued to sing onstage.

After the show, Kelce was seen with Swift walking out of the Amsterdam stadium, and he was hyping up the crowd to cheer for his girlfriend after another successful performance. 

The songs that Swift was apparently singing during that emotional moment for Kelce was “Mary’s Song,” in which she sang the lyrics, “You’ll be 87, I’ll be 89. I’ll still look at you like the stars that shine. In the sky, oh my my my.” The No. 87 is in reference to Kelce’s jersey number, while No. 89 is the year Swift was born: 1989.

TAYLOR SWIFT’S SAFETY WAS TRAVIS KELCE’S TOP PRIORITY DURING ERAS TOUR PERFORMANCE: ‘DO NOT DROP THE BABY

There was also the song “So High School” off Swift’s latest album, “The Tortured Poets Department,” which many fans believe is about Kelce. She also sang “Everything Has Changed” in the mashup.

The Mahomes have been present with Kelce this year at a Swift concert, as Brittany and Swift got very close this past season during Chiefs games all over the country.

Kelce has also taken this offseason to join Swift on the Eras Tour stage, surprising fans at a stop in London in late June, supporting her alongside dancers dressed in tuxedos. 

“On night 3, something magical happened,” Jason Kelce, Travis’s older brother, said on their “New Heights” podcast during its season 2 finale. “Somehow, you made your way on the stage.”

Taylor Swift was joined by her beau, Travis Kelce, during the “Tortured Poets Department” set of her Eras Tour concert in London. (Gareth Cattermole/TAS24/Getty Images for TAS Rights Management)

“It’s very unlike me,” Travis replied with a smile. “I don’t love going on stages.

“I initially mentioned it to Tay. I was like, ‘How funny would it be if I just rolled out on one of the bikes during the ’1989′ era?’” he explained to Jason. “She started laughing, and she was like, ‘Would you seriously be up for doing something like that?’ And I was just like, ‘Are you – what? I would love to do that. Are you kidding me?’ I’ve seen the show enough. Might as well put me to work here.’

“She found the perfect, perfect part of the show for me to come in. There was no bike, in case I, like, ran into somebody else or hit one of the dancers or anything. It was like the safest option.”

Swift was seen at one point in Kelce’s arms as he carried her away during the show.

Taylor Swift took her Eras Tour to Australia last month, and her boyfriend, Travis Kelce, made a quick visit to see one of her shows in Sydney. (Getty Images)

It’s truly been a summer of love for these two, though Kelce will head back to work in the coming weeks with Chiefs training camp set to get underway.

Fox News’ Caroline Thayer contributed to this report.

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