MLB Star Paul Skenes Goes Viral for Incident With Controversial Umpire

Pittsburgh Pirates rookie phenom Paul Skenes picked up his ninth win of the season on Monday, September 3 after five innings of scoreless ball.

In the latest achievement of his dazzling debut season, the 22-year-old flamethrower also tied the franchise record for strikeouts by a rookie pitcher (142), which was set in 1900.

However, it was a first inning dust-up with home plate umpire Doug Eddings that had fans talking the most.

After Skenes hopped toward the Pirates dugout following a 100 mph fastball off the plate, suggesting a potential strike three call was on the way to end the inning, Eddings made a scene.

One video of the incident, posted by the popular X account @PitchingNinja, has gone viral with over 1 million views.

Microphones picked up the momentary heated exchange between Eddings, Skenes and Pirates fifth-year manager Derek Shelton.

Eddings to Skenes : "That's outside," as Skenes looked back and nodded.

Eddings then gesturing to Shelton : "He's not going to walk off the mound like he thinks that's a strike. You talk to him. You talk to him."

Shelton responds to Eddings : "I'll talk to you ."

"Good old fashioned ump show. They think we’re there to see them," one fan commented on X .

"Talk about a power trip by this ump," said another fan.

"Umpire ego is way too big," another added .

While Eddings got the call correct, he has a shaky track record. In 2024, Ump Scorecards grades the 55-year-old in the 6th percentile for consistency and 18th percentile for accuracy.

Eddings also made headlines in June 2022 after missing nearly 30 calls in a single game between the White Sox and Blue Jays.

Related: Livvy Dunne's Reaction to Pirates' 11-Run Blown Lead Says It All