Paul Skenes was named the 2025 National League Cy Young on Nov. 12, 2025, and celebrated the honor alongside girlfriend Olivia “Livvy” Dunne in a subdued, polished moment that played out on social media. The unanimous vote capped a season in which Skenes posted a 1.97 ERA with 216 strikeouts, 11 homers allowed and 42 walks across 32 starts. Dunne—an influencer and former LSU gymnast—shared behind-the-scenes glimpses from the celebration while the pitcher’s family and nearby guests cheered. The scene contrasted with last season’s reaction when Skenes won NL Rookie of the Year, a difference that drew attention online.
- Unanimous 2025 NL Cy Young: Paul Skenes won by unanimous vote on Nov. 12, 2025.
- Dominant season stats: Skenes posted a 1.97 ERA, 216 strikeouts, 11 home runs allowed and 42 walks in 32 starts.
- Public reaction: Olivia Dunne posted celebration photos and clips, including a party spread and a lighted “2025 CY YOUNG” sign.
- Contrast with 2024: Observers noted a calmer, more composed reaction than when Skenes claimed NL Rookie of the Year last season.
- MLB amplified the moment: MLB’s official X account highlighted the different reactions, increasing visibility across platforms.
- Personal history: Skenes and Dunne began dating in college; Skenes confirmed the relationship in August 2023 to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
Background
Paul Skenes arrived in the majors in 2024 and quickly became one of baseball’s most-followed young pitchers, blending high-velocity stuff with advanced command. His rapid ascent made him a focal point for both traditional sports coverage and social-media communities, boosting attention on personal milestones as well as on-field performance. Olivia Dunne built a large online following during and after her gymnastics career at LSU, and her posts routinely draw attention that overlaps with Skenes’s baseball coverage. That combination—an elite young athlete and a high-profile partner—has amplified routine moments like award nights into viral social-media moments.
The Cy Young Award is given annually to the top pitcher in each league; winning it unanimously is rare and signals broad recognition from voters. Skenes’s 2025 season statistics placed him among the elite starters by ERA and strikeout totals, and his run prevention figures helped the Pirates contend in the National League standings. The couple’s relationship traces back to their college years, and Skenes publicly confirmed they were an item in an August 2023 interview with the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. That personal history — combined with a high-profile awards ceremony — set the stage for the widely shared celebration earlier this week.
Main Event
The announcement came on the evening of Nov. 12, 2025; when Skenes’s name was declared, he pumped his fist and broke into a wide grin before embracing Dunne amid applause. Friends and family at the party erupted in cheers, and Dunne posted multiple items to her social channels documenting the moment and the post-ceremony gathering. Visuals from the celebration included a cake adorned with Pittsburgh Pirates logos, jersey-shaped cookies bearing Skenes’s name and a marquee-style sign spelling out “2025 CY YOUNG.”
Social platforms amplified small details: Dunne reposted the official MLB announcement and added the caption “much excitement,” and she shared photos of Skenes smiling with a champagne bottle in each hand in front of the illuminated sign. MLB’s official X account also commented, contrasting this celebration with the couple’s previously viral reaction to his Rookie of the Year recognition. Those reactions fueled broader conversation about how public figures curate celebratory moments for followers and the press.
Beyond the social-media attention, the award reflected a statistical season that was difficult for opponents. Over 32 starts Skenes allowed only 11 home runs and issued 42 walks, limiting big innings and converting strikeout ability into consistent run suppression. Voters rewarded that combination, resulting in a unanimous selection that placed Skenes atop the list of NL pitchers for 2025. The night’s subdued but joyful tone underlined both a personal milestone and a professional validation for the young ace.
Analysis & Implications
Skenes’s unanimous selection signals more than a single-season accomplishment; it changes how teams and market observers evaluate front-of-rotation pitchers entering free agency cycles and arbitration. A 1.97 ERA with 216 strikeouts over 32 starts places him in rarefied company and strengthens the Pirates’ long-term planning around retaining top pitching talent. For Pittsburgh, having a recognized ace boosts the club’s on-field credibility and its commercial profile, potentially increasing ticket demand and sponsorship interest.
The social-media component matters for revenue and brand-building. Dunne’s large following brings additional exposure to Skenes and the Pirates, and the couple’s posts generate impressions that traditional game highlights alone may not. That attention can bolster merchandise sales and extend the team’s reach to demographics that consume sports primarily via influencer channels. Teams increasingly factor this intersection of performance and personality into promotional strategies.
On the field, opposing clubs will adjust scouting and preparation to account for Skenes’s pitch mix and command. A season with low home-run totals and strong strikeout rates suggests a pitcher capable of limiting damage in high-leverage situations, increasing the Pirates’ odds in one-run games and late-inning scenarios. For the player, the Cy Young can affect future contract conversations and the expectations placed on him by coaches, media and fans.
Comparison & Data
| Statistic | 2025 |
|---|---|
| ERA | 1.97 |
| Strikeouts | 216 |
| Home runs allowed | 11 |
| Walks | 42 |
| Starts | 32 |
The table above summarizes the core metrics cited in the award announcement and social coverage. Those numbers highlight Skenes’s ability to generate swings-and-misses while minimizing the long ball and free passes. Compared with league-average starters, a sub-2.00 ERA and a K total north of 200 are outlier achievements that typically correlate with top-voted pitching awards. Clubs and analysts will use these empirical markers when projecting his future role and market value.
Reactions & Quotes
Observers on social media noted the contrast between Skenes’s composed reaction this year and the more exuberant clip that circulated after his Rookie of the Year honor. That contrast became a talking point for sports accounts and commentators, who framed it as growth and comfort in the spotlight.
“Much excitement.”
Olivia Dunne, Instagram story
Dunne’s short caption accompanied a repost of the official announcement and a series of celebration images, which fans and media quickly reshared. The clarity and brevity of her post amplified the moment without dominating the narrative.
“A different energy this year — all smiles and family.”
MLB social post, MLB/X
MLB’s official social channels highlighted the composure on display and contrasted it with prior viral moments, increasing engagement and bringing the clip to a wider audience. Team members and attendees added spontaneous applause and congratulations as Skenes posed with his family and the celebratory signage.
Unconfirmed
- Some social posts and secondary write-ups referenced a 2024 “AL Rookie of the Year” moment; that phrasing appears inconsistent with other reports noting an NL Rookie of the Year recognition last season and should be treated as unverified or a reporting error.
- While party details (cookies, cake, signage) were shared by Dunne on social platforms, external verification beyond those social posts is limited and relies on the account holders’ disclosures.
Bottom Line
Paul Skenes’s unanimous Cy Young win on Nov. 12, 2025, cements his status as the National League’s top pitcher for the season and marks a major milestone early in his career. The statistical foundation—1.97 ERA, 216 strikeouts, only 11 homers and 42 walks in 32 starts—offers a clear, measurable rationale for the award and a basis for future expectations. The public celebration with Olivia Dunne combined personal significance with broad social reach, making the night both a private milestone and a widely shared cultural moment.
For the Pirates, the accolade strengthens the franchise’s pitching narrative and provides marketing opportunities tied to a marquee player. For Skenes, the recognition will influence how teams prepare for him, how front offices assess his future contract value and how fans remember the early arc of his career. Watchpoints going forward include workload management, year-over-year performance stability and how Skenes and the organization leverage this moment commercially and competitively.
Sources
- New York Post — (news outlet; primary coverage of the celebration)
- MLB (X account) — (official league social media post)
- Olivia Dunne Instagram — (personal social posts and stories)
- Pittsburgh Post-Gazette — (local newspaper; source for 2023 relationship confirmation)