Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal won consecutive AL Cy Young Awards, a feat not seen since Pedro Martinez in 1999 and 2000. The 28-year-old was surrounded by family and friends as the room erupted following the announcement on Wednesday. Skubal’s wife, Jessica, shared a heartwarming moment with son Klay and Kasen as she congratulated the 2x Cy Young winner. Skubal thanked his family for being there for him, and appreciated “the sacrifices they made” for him.“It’s everything," Skubal said. "There’s a lot of people that are here and some that are missing, but you know, they are the why to what I do. They are the reason why I work so hard, and why I go out there and compete. And you know they care for me and they’ve been with me through everything - my whole life, my entire career, and it means a lot.”Skubal encouraged the young players looking forward to making their debut in the big league. One of his key advice was to “take your career day by day” to see where they can be.He gave his example, saying how he got only one offer from high school, but now he’s is one of the best pitchers in the MLB. He added, “It doesn’t matter where you come from” but how hard you work.Skubal thanked his team, staff and family for being by his side. The Tigers fell short of postseason glory and are looking to bounce back with the two-time Cy Young winner next season.Tarik Skubal and Paul Skenes recall their journey from high school to MLBPaul Skenes and Tarik Skubal [Credit: Imagn]Detroit Tigers’ Tarik Skubal and Pittsburgh Pirates’ Paul Skenes were named the 2025 Cy Young Award winners on Wednesday. During an interview with Fox Sports, Skubal asked Skenes how many offers he had out of high school, with the Pirates ace replying two.Skenes got an offer from the Air Force and Navy, and Skubal got one Division 1 scholarship offer. Skenes admitted that it was during that time that he got to know himself better, even though it had nothing to do with baseball.“That’s why our sport is so special and unique. It’s like everyone develops at different times, and nowadays kids think they have to be good at 11, and I’m like, I wasn’t any good till 26. It took me a while,” Tarik Skubal said.Following their historic seasons, Skenes and Skubal have become major names in trade rumors in the offseason. Skenes will become a free agent after 2029 and has voiced his desire to secure a team spot before that.On the other hand, the Tigers have Skubal tied to a contract till the end of 2026. The LA Dodgers, Red Sox and Yankees are some of the teams that are considered potential suitors for the Detroit ace.