Olivia Dunne gave Paul Skenes the meme treatment over his stoic reaction to being named the 2024 NL Rookie of the Year.
After the Pirates ace went viral for his somewhat emotionless demeanor during Monday’s announcement on MLB Network, Dunne posted a since-deleted meme that featured Skenes.
“Paul Skenes happy,” read the post, which included the same somber snapshot of Skenes repeated six times. “Paul Skenes sad. Paul Skenes angry. Paul Skenes surprised. Paul Skenes frustrated. Paul Skenes winning ROTY.”
It’s unclear why exactly the post was removed from Dunne’s Instagram Story. The meme initially appeared on the MLB on Fox Instagram page.
Taking to TikTok, the LSU gymnast posted a video of her and Skenes reacting to his ROTY win while sitting on a leather couch together.
“But why is this such an awkward exchange? Lol,” one person wrote in the comments.
“I was nervous like AHHHH,” Dunne responded.
“ROTY slay,” she captioned her post.
Some thought Dunne and Skenes’ interaction was slightly awkward because she reacted enthusiastically, clapping and smiling, while the MLB All-Star appeared subdued.
In a video posted by MLB, Dunne was seen shaking Skenes’ shoulder when he appeared somber.
Dunne also shared a snapshot of a smiling Skenes holding a cookie cake that read, “Rookie and a Cookie Congrats ROTY”
The Sports Illustrated Swimsuit model, 22, looked stunning in a red mini dress.
Skenes, also 22, looked dapper in a gray suit jacket and beige pants.
His big night came a few days after the Pirates made a public offer to one lucky person who finds a one-of-one Paul Skenes MLB Debut Patch trading card.
The National League franchise made an offer worth millions Friday on social media, including seats behind home plate for 30 years — and then Dunne upped the stakes by adding the opportunity for that collector to sit with her in a suite for a game.
Skenes and Dunne met in college at LSU, where they both won national championships in their respective sports.
Skenes helped the Tigers win a title in 2023 before the Pirates selected him with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft.
The righty went 11-3 with a 2.96 ERA spanning 23 starts.
Dunne and the Lady Tigers took home the gymnastics program’s first-ever NCAA title in April.
