Mark Madden: With 2nd near no-hitter, Paul Skenes has burst onto scene like few others

Paul Skenes has been pulled twice while pitching a no-hitter: Once after six innings May 17 at Chicago, then Thursday after seven innings at Milwaukee.

That speaks as loudly to baseball losing its romance as it does to Skenes’ dominance.

A no-hitter used to be a pitcher’s pinnacle. That’s been lost in a cesspool of pitch count and tap-dancing around Tommy John surgery.

I couldn’t get mad at Pittsburgh Pirates manager Derek Shelton for yanking Skenes. Sure, Skenes appeared unhittable and a good bet to complete his no-no. But Shelton did what every other MLB manager would have. It’s managing by rote.

Of the last 10 MLB no-hitters, half were shared by multiple pitchers.

Skenes sure looked untouchable: The only near-hits were two ground balls that required above-average plays by Oneil Cruz and Nick Gonzales. Nothing dramatic.

Good contact was minimal. Heck, any contact was minimal: Skenes fanned 11, tying his season high set in the previous aborted no-hitter.

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• Tim Benz: If pulling Paul Skenes was as easy as Derek Shelton says, it's even easier to critique his decision
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Skenes has burst onto the Pittsburgh sports scene in a way rivaled by few.

Mario Lemieux of the Penguins did first shift, first shot, first goal and went around all-time great defenseman Ray Bourque to boot. (First in a series.) Forty-three goals and 100 points as a rookie.

Tony Dorsett exploded at Pitt as a freshman: 1,586 yards rushing.

Sidney Crosby got 102 points in his rookie season. But he’s been a phenomenon of consistency who dabbles in the spectacular.

Skenes is in the conversation with that trio: Hall of Fame-level performances right from the start.

Skenes has a 1.90 ERA, which would lead MLB if he had enough innings. He’s got 89 strikeouts in 66 1/3 innings. He’s allowed just 48 hits.

Skenes’ stuff is overwhelming, his command mesmerizing. He invented a new pitch, for heck’s sake.

MLB did itself a great service Friday when National League manager Torey Lovullo named Skenes to be his team’s starting pitcher in the MLB All-Star Game. It takes place Tuesday at Arlington, Texas.

The starting pitchers traditionally aren’t announced till the day before. But jumping the gun gives MLB and broadcast partner FOX more time to hype Skenes’ start and the matchups produced: Skenes vs. the New York Yankees’ Aaron Judge, etc.

Skenes vs. Judge will be classic, like Skenes’ face-off with Shohei Ohtani on June 5. Big on big. Strikeout, then a homer. Epic. Memorable. MLB needs more of that.

Skenes is an obvious choice to start, his performance Thursday a cherry on top of his qualifications to date.

It’s what everybody wants. TV ratings will elevate.

Forget “pay your dues,” veteran respect, all that horse flop. Nobody cares about Ranger Suarez or Chris Sale, the debated alternatives.

This is particularly big for Pittsburgh, obviously.

When is the last time Pirates fans were this excited about an All-Star Game? When is the last time Pirates fans were this excited, period?

Skenes is the Pirates. He personifies.

I’m definitely excited. I bet Skenes whiffs Judge.

If Skenes pitches a hitless inning Tuesday, then a hitless inning at the beginning of his next start for the Pirates, does he get credit for a no-hitter? It might be the only way he gets one.