On Monday, Paul Skenes and Griffin Jax welcomed the entire Air Force baseball team to Daikin Park in Houston to watch Team USA face Mexico in the World Baseball Classic (WBC). The invitation came as a heartfelt gesture from the two former Air Force players now competing in Major League Baseball, demonstrating their continued bond with their alma mater and support for the team.
This event was especially meaningful given the Air Force squad was already in Texas for a series against Baylor, making the timing perfect for the players to witness Skenes’s WBC debut firsthand and cheer on their fellow Eagles on the international stage.
Background of Skenes and Jax’s Air Force Connection
Paul Skenes, who made his first WBC appearance pitching for Team USA against Mexico, once pursued a career as a fighter pilot before deciding to commit to baseball. He attended the Air Force Academy for two years from 2021 to 2022 before choosing to focus on his professional baseball ambitions. Griffin Jax pitched for Air Force between 2014 and 2016, ultimately becoming the first Academy graduate to reach the major leagues.
Their shared experiences at the Academy keep them connected to the Air Force program and motivated to inspire the current players. Upon learning the Air Force baseball team was nearby, Skenes and Jax quickly coordinated with head coach Mike Kazlausky to arrange tickets and a gathering at the WBC game.
Players Motivated by Support From MLB Teammates
After the Air Force team’s loss to Baylor on Sunday, rumors of the WBC outing energized the players, who viewed the opportunity as a chance to show pride for both their country and their sport. Junior player Cam Anstey expressed the pride and excitement felt by the squad.
“We were ready to be here and ready to show our support for the country, the people who defend it and what we’re doing here,”
he said.
Jax described the coordination with the Air Force coach:
“Paul and I have been talking to the head coach there, [Kazlausky] just said how many tickets he needs. He’s got a whole traveling crew, he’s got the big Air Force here representing him. So I think he just wanted a chance for Paul and I to talk to everybody after the game, give the boys some words of encouragement.”
– Griffin Jax, Rays reliever
Anstey noted how important the players found the support from their alum teammates:
“It’s a really big deal for us, obviously. We put in so much work — not only just athletes, but also all the cadets there. And for them to support us back, it’s massive. And for us to support them tonight and show them that we’re here to support them, it’s just super awesome. It fires us up, and what we want to do is really show the world the discipline and the effort that those guys have.”
– Cam Anstey, Air Force baseball junior
Achievements and Values Shared by Skenes and Jax
Both Skenes and Jax distinguished themselves during their time at Air Force. Skenes earned the 2022 John Olerud Award, recognizing the top two-way player in college baseball, while Jax received the 2016 Mountain West Conference Co-Pitcher of the Year. Together, they are among three former Air Force players to reach the MLB level.
Although many of the current Air Force players will pursue military careers rather than professional baseball, they view learning from Skenes and Jax as invaluable. Anstey highlighted the shared sense of duty among athletes and cadets alike:
“We definitely see a lot of us in what they do with their work and their preparation. But at the end of the day, we all raise our right hand to go serve and defend this country.
And a lot of these guys behind me that you see — and the guys that have come before me — we want to go fly jets or go special warfare and make a difference. And be at the tip of the spear and do bad things to bad people.”
– Cam Anstey, Air Force baseball junior
Air Force Values Influence Jax’s Baseball Journey
Reflecting on his experience, Griffin Jax emphasized how the lessons learned at the Academy continue to guide him on the baseball field and in life. He shared:
“I definitely learned a lot at the Air Force Academy and even in my Air Force career. There’s a saying that we always talked about while we were there, it was, ‘Embrace the suck.’ And it’s very true — not just in baseball, but in life. You got to be adaptable, you got to be able to handle the ebbs and flows of life in this baseball world. It’s carried me into how I’ve gotten here today, and I still look to it as inspiration.”
– Griffin Jax, Rays reliever
On the day of the game, Jax was optimistic about sharing a memorable experience with the Air Force players:
“Hopefully they can show up and make some noise.”
– Griffin Jax, Rays reliever
Significance of the Occasion
The invitation extended by Griffin Jax and Paul Skenes to the Air Force baseball team at the WBC not only strengthened the bond between current players and their prestigious alumni but also highlighted the inspirational role that sports and military values coexist to cultivate. This event provided a break from intense training for the cadets and a moment to connect with two successful figures who embody dedication both on the mound and in service.
The experience is likely to motivate the Air Force players as they pursue their diverse goals, whether in military careers or professional athletics, reinforcing a culture of discipline, resilience, and pride in representing their country and academy at the highest levels.
