On Sports: MLB deems Pirates' rivals as Phillies, Tigers; Paul Skenes' signing bonus record surpassed

In announcing its 2025 schedule Thursday, Major League Baseball tacitly expressed belief that fans have demanded more of the Pittsburgh Pirates-Detroit Tigers annual matchup.

But not so much so that it will formally recognize it during a weekend specifically deigned to showcase so-called “rivalries.”

Two aspects of next year’s schedule that are new for 2025 involve the addition of two annual games between teams MLB has decided are “prime interleague rivals.” For the Pirates, that for many years has been the Tigers.

Guess what, fans who couldn’t get enough of Pirates-Tigers in 2024 (a combined 20,015 showed up for two meetings in Detroit this season) — you get 50% more Pirates-Tigers in 2025.

Of course, the entire vehicle for “prime interleague rivals” (and, a cynic would argue, for interleague play overall) is to get Mets-Yankees inventory for ESPN and Fox. Maybe throw in Cubs-White Sox. But even Giants-A’s has lost its luster now that the latter is moving out of Oakland and will no longer be a Bay rival of San Francisco’s.

To be generous, let’s say there are half dozen “prime” interleague matchups that create buzz for baseball fans. That leaves 18 other teams MLB needs to play matchmaker for. And while many in Pittsburgh (and probably, most in Cleveland) would settle on Pirates-Guardians, the powers that be in the sport instead opted for an Ohio rivalry of Guardians-Reds.

I respectfully disagree, but I also see where they’re coming from and don’t view it as an egregious mistake. However, the consequence is that the Pirates have no obvious “natural” interleague rival. So, MLB has tried to fit the square peg that is Pirates-Tigers into the round hole of an anticipated rivalry.

Didn’t they try forcing this Pennsylvania-Michigan thing before? With poor results?

Maybe it’s an ode to the back-to-back Stanley Cup Finals in 2008 and 2009.

The silliest part of decreeing Pirates-Tigers as a rivalry worthy of more exposure is that MLB isn’t even choosing to feature it at a time it specifically set aside for promoting rivalries.

May 16-18 has been designated “Rivalry Weekend” in 2025, and will feature matchups of teams that are allegedly rivals. Eleven of the 15 series will be interleague — but the Pirates are part of one of four that are not. They will play in Philadelphia against the Phillies.

The cities have a strong rivalry in hockey, and those old enough to remember the 1970s (or even up to divisional realignment in 1994) know Pirates-Phillies at one point packed intrigue. But little lingers for that in the mid-2020s.

It does moreso, though, than Pirates-Tigers.

Surpassed

In the 53 weeks since being drafted, Paul Skenes has already done some unprecedented things. He’ll likely break more than a few records over a major-league career that is just beginning.

But one record Skenes set last year has already been surpassed — an off-the-field record.

For a year at least, Skenes held the record for biggest signing bonus given to a drafted player. Former Wake Forest pitcher Chase Burns beat that Thursday when he signed with the Cincinnati Reds for $9.25 million.

Burns, a righthander, was the second overall pick in the draft earlier this week.

Skenes, who went No. 1 overall in 2023, got $9.2 million to sign.

Burns’ claim to the record might last a lot less long than even Skenes. No. 1 pick Travis Bazzana of the Guardians and No. 3 Charlie Condon of the Colorado Rockies could each be in line to surpass Burns’ bonus.

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Jumpin’ Jacob Flash

Skenes’ contemporaries from the 2023 draft class continue to trickle into the big leagues. And the latest has strong ties to the Pirates.

Oakland reportedly will recall No. 1 prospect Jacob Wilson to the majors. Wilson is the son of Jack Wilson, the popular Pirates shortstop from two decades ago. The 22-year-old Jacob Wilson is also a shortstop and was taken No. 6 overall last year. He is regarded as Oakland’s top prospect.

Jack Wilson played nine seasons for the Pirates (2001-09) and lasted 12 years in the majors. He represented the Pirates at the 2004 All-Star game.

Jacob Wilson will be the fifth 2023 first-round pick to make the majors in 2024.

• Jeff Capel's 'family-type' culture helped attract transfers Damian Dunn, Cam Corhen to Pitt

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No one tell Ovechkin

In a story that on face value evokes how Ohio State trademarked the word “the,” apparently both Troy Aikman and Lamar Jackson have staked legal claim to the No. 8.

According to ESPN, both NFL figures have applied for and/or received trademarks relating to the digit. But ESPN, citing federal records, reports that Jackson’s team is challenging Aikman’s use of their shared No. 8 in a U.S. Patent and Trademark Office complaint.

Aikman is in the Pro Football Hall of Fame and won three Super Bowl rings as quarterback of the Dallas Cowboys in the 1990s. Jackson is coming off his second MVP award as quarterback of the Baltimore Ravens. Each has or is wearing No. 8 both in the NFL and for his respective college team (Aikman went to UCLA and Jackson to Louisville).

From the story:

Jackson, who owns or has applied for several trademarks using the number in various phrases, says Aikman’s attempt to use “EIGHT” on apparel and bags would be “likely to cause confusion, or cause mistake, or to deceive” the purchasing public as to whether they’re buying products from Jackson or Aikman’s company, Jackson’s attorney said in July 9 filings.

Jackson “has expended considerable time, effort, and expense in promoting, advertising, and popularizing the number 8 in connection with his personality and fame” and “is well-known by this number due to his notoriety and fame, along with his promotion of this number in his trademarks and in media coverage,” according to the appeals.

As ESPN points out, other Hall of Fame-caliber athletes from major American sports include Steve Young, Cal Ripken Jr., Yogi Berra, Carl Yastrzemski, Kobe Bryant, Walt Bellamy and Alex Ovechkin.

No word on if Penguins winger Michael Bunting has reached out to his lawyers.

Kenny Pickett’s forced trade to the Philadelphia Eagles compelled a change from No. 8 to No. 7. That probably leaves Tommy Maddox as the Steelers’ most prominent-ever No. 8.

With all apologies to hockey Hall of Famer Mark Recchi, the Pirates own Pittsburgh’s most prominent No. 8: the retired jersey of Willie Stargell.