Paul Skenes Named Starting Pitcher In All-Star Game Live On Dan Patrick Show

Live radio is apparently alive and kicking.

National radio talk show host Dan Patrick, whose daily show airs on hundreds of radio stations across the country including FOX Sports Networks, had a surprise for guest Paul Skenes on Friday.

National League All-Star game manager Torey Lovullo was a surprise caller to the show and broke the news to Skenes, the rookie sensation pitcher of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Skenes will start Tuesday night's Major League Baseball's All-Star game (8 p.m., FOX) at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas - the first rookie starter since the Dodgers' Hideo Nomo in 1995. Skenes will also be the first MLB pitcher in history to start the All-Star game the year after being the first pick of the previous MLB Draft.

"Hey, what's up?," Patrick said to Lovullo, the manager of the Arizona Diamondbacks who led them to the World Series last season.

"What's up Dan? How you doing this morning?," Lovullo said.

"Conducting an interview here. What's going on?," Patrick said.

"Look, I thought it was my time to just butt in on a really special moment," Lovullo said. "Paul, I just wanted to congratulate you. I've chosen you to be the starter for the National League in the 2024 All-Star game. I'm really excited for you. Unbelievable honor. And one that is so well deserved."

Patrick and his crew then applauded. Patrick had arranged the call with MLB.

"Thank you," Skenes said. "That's unbelievable. That's awesome."

SUMMER OF SKENES: Paul Skenes Shined In Final Start Of First Half

Skenes improved to 6-0 on the season with a 1.90 ERA Thursday with his second partial no-hitter of the season in a seven-inning, 11-strikeout, 1-0 victory at Milwaukee. In that game, he became only the second pitcher in modern Major League history (since 1901) to strike out 11 or more and allow no hits in two starts in one season. Nolan Ryan is the only other pitcher to do it in 1973 for the California Angels. And Skenes has been a Major League for only two months.

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"You represent so many great things that this game craves," Lovullo said. "It's such a great story - the way you came on the scene, the way you've done it with such humbleness. It's noticeable. I'll be honored to be your manager, and I'll be honored to watch you throw your first pitch."

Patrick asked Skenes if he accepts.

"Hell, absolutely," he said.

At 22, Skenes will be the sixth youngest pitcher to start the MLB All-Star game in history.

Skenes was at a loss for words.

"That's cool," he said. "That's really cool. I think my parents are watching the show right now, but I'll give them a call after. Yeah, that's cool. I'll probably get more excited leading up to the game."

Then he didn't know what to do with himself. His segment was over, but he stayed on the set with Patrick.

"You can go now, Paul, thanks," Patrick said.