PITTSBURGH — Livvy Dunne, the well-known gymnast, and Paul Skenes, the Pittsburgh Pirates right-handed starting pitcher, have been dating for several years, drawing considerable interest from the public and baseball enthusiasts alike. Dunne recently shared a humorous Instagram reel highlighting the growing excitement among fans who frequently mention Skenes in her comment sections and share GIFs and photos of him everywhere.
The reel features footage of a fan showing a picture of Skenes at an event, accompanied by the audio:
Every night, at dinner, I’ll be there. Every birthday party, I’ll be there. Every Christmas, I’ll be there.
—Livvy Dunne, Athlete
Highlights from Dunne and Skenes’ Personal and Professional Lives
Since their relationship began, Dunne and Skenes have remained inseparable and have appeared together in notable media, including a GQ magazine feature earlier this year where they posed in designer attire during a rare Baton Rouge snowstorm. Dunne is recognized as the most followed NCAA athlete, boasting 5.3 million Instagram followers and eight million TikTok followers.
She recently completed her fifth season with LSU gymnastics, where the team achieved third place at the National Championships. In the 2023-24 season, Dunne played a key role in helping LSU secure their first National Title, setting a personal best score of 9.900 on floor exercise twice. Her gymnastics career concluded after the season, having also been part of the U.S. National Team in 2017.
Meanwhile, Skenes stood out at LSU in 2023 after transferring from the Air Force Academy. He finished with an impressive 13-2 record, a 1.69 ERA over 122.2 innings pitched, striking out 209 batters while only issuing 20 walks. His outstanding performance helped LSU win a national championship that year.
Paul Skenes’ Transition to Professional Baseball and Early MLB Success
Skenes was selected first overall in the 2023 MLB Draft by the Pittsburgh Pirates and signed a record-breaking $9.2 million signing bonus, the largest ever given to a player at that time. Since debuting in the major leagues on May 11, 2024, with Pittsburgh, his impact has been profound, quickly becoming one of MLB’s top pitchers.
In his rookie season, Skenes recorded an 11-3 win-loss record over 23 starts, pitched 133 innings with a 1.96 ERA, and tallied 170 strikeouts against just 32 walks. He held opposing batters to a .198 average and maintained a 0.95 WHIP with an 11.50 strikeout-per-nine-innings ratio.
He was awarded the National League Rookie of the Year, earning 23 of 30 first-place votes, and became the first Pirates player since Jason Bay in 2004 to win the honor. Additionally, Skenes was the first rookie pitcher to start an All-Star Game since 1995, representing the National League. His accolades include a spot on the All-MLB First Team and finishing third in the NL Cy Young Award voting.
Continued Excellence in 2025 and Unique Achievements
Paul Skenes has maintained his elite form into the 2025 season, placing among the best pitchers in the MLB. His statistics rank him with the lowest ERA at 2.13, tied for the third lowest opposing batting average at .197, and tied for the fourth most innings pitched at 148.0. He also ranks sixth in strikeouts with 166 and seventh lowest in WHIP at 0.96.
Notably, Skenes became the first pitcher ever to start in consecutive All-Star Games during his first two MLB seasons, solidifying his status as a rising star in baseball.
The Couple’s Strong Relationship Amidst Rising Fame
Despite the pressures of professional sports and increasing fame, Dunne and Skenes have maintained a close relationship, often seen enjoying date nights, golfing outings, and vacations together, including trips to the Hamptons. Their presence at the All-Star Game runway impressed fans and highlighted their support for each other both on and off the field.
What This Means for Fans and Pittsburgh Sports
As Paul Skenes continues to make history with the Pittsburgh Pirates, and Livvy Dunne remains a popular figure in sports and social media, their relationship brings added excitement to fans who follow Pittsburgh sports. Skenes’ exceptional pitching promises to play a key role in the Pirates’ future successes, while Dunne’s influence reaches beyond gymnastics into the broader sports community.
The couple’s visibility and achievements serve to energize the local fan base and contribute to the ongoing passion for Pittsburgh’s sports teams.