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First Take star slams controversial Paul Skenes decision and says ‘this is why MLB won’t ever be on scale of NBA or NFL’
Baseball fans are desperate to see Skenes start in the upcoming All-Star Game
ESPN analyst Harry Douglas has called out the Pittsburgh Pirates for denying Paul Skenes the chance to pitch a historic no-hitter.
The MLB rookie, 22, was pulled from Thursday's game against the Milwaukee Brewers after pitching seven perfect innings.
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Skenes threw 99 pitches in just his 11th major league start, sending down 65 strikes.
He was on course for potential history before Colin Holderman was called from the bullpen, surrendering a lead-off single in the 8th.
Douglas appeared on Friday's First Take alongside fellow analyst Courtney Cronin and host Molly Qerim to discuss the decision.
The former NFL star admitted he wanted Skenes to stay in the game for "selfish reasons."
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"This is another reason why the MLB won't ever be on the same scale as the NBA or the NFL," Douglas said.
"There are so many fans that wanted to see that greatness from Paul Skenes."
Cronin asked Douglas whether he was advocating to "eliminate pitch counts."
"These coaches need to start training these pitchers to go the distance," he explained.
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"I'm [saying this] selfishly, being a baseball fan, I'd have loved this man who just turned 22 to pitch a no-hitter and finish the game."
"Give the people what they want," chipped in Qerim.
Inside Olivia Dunne’s boyfriend Paul Skenes’ incredible diet after burning 5,000 calories each game ahead of MLB debut
The last Pirates' no-hitter came in July 1997, per ESPN.
Skenes was the No.1 overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft and has now struck out 89 batters in 66 innings.
Despite appearing in just 11 games, fans are already clamoring for the rookie to be the NL's starting pitcher at the upcoming All-Star Game.
"So Paul Skenes throws a no hitter thru 7 innings and gets PULLED just before 100 pitches? Poverty franchise @Pirates … could have witnessed history," wrote one fan on X.
"The only correct answer to who should start the All-Star Game for the National League is Paul Skenes," said another.
DUNNE AND SKENES' SUMMER OF LOVE
Olivia Dunne and Paul Skenes managed to keep their relationship a secret before finally going public last summer.
The pair met at LSU, but it's not clear when they started dating.
Rumors of a romance began when Dunne watched LSU win the College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska last summer.
And Dunne then posted selfies from Fort Myers in Florida, where Skenes was playing.
He was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates and began his pro career by playing in minor leagues in the Sunshine State.
The final clue came when Dunne posed in a Pirates cap before the pair finally went public.
"The worst thing about modern-day baseball is the fixation of taking out pitchers to “protect” them. Paul Skenes dealing making history and he gets pulled in the 8th inning. This stuff needs to stop," added a third.
"@HDouglas83 looking good of first take. Knowledge of all 3 sports that matter. Enjoying your takes," commented a fourth.
First Take returned to our screens on Thursday following a three-day absence.
Qerim hosted the show for the first time since June 27 after taking a two-week vacation.
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Lead analysts Stephen A. Smith and Shannon Sharpe remain absent as they enjoy a well-earned summer break.
They are both expected to be back on Monday as First Take moves from ESPN 2 to its usual channel on ESPN.