Bednar hoping current ride lasts a while
PITTSBURGH — Back home, back to work ... back to reality.
Pirates closer and Mars graduate David Bednar picked up his 17th save of the season Saturday night against Miami at PNC Park, four days after tossing a scoreless ninth inning in the All-Star Game at Dodger Stadium. He took a tough 6-5 loss in 10 innings to the Marlins on Sunday.
It’s all part of life in the big leagues — which for Bednar included the 2022 All-Star Game.
“An experience I’ll never forget, no doubt about that,” Bednar said of the All-Star Game. “The red carpet, being on the field during the Home Run Derby, just everything ... That whole experience was hard to believe.”
Yet, the hard-throwing right-hander believed he belonged there.
“I felt like I earned it,” he said. “But there’s a lot more work to do.”
Prior to the Pirates’ first game after the break — a home game against Miami Friday night — Bednar and his teammates had to deal with the news of popular teammate Daniel Vogelbach being traded to the New York Mets. One of Bednar’s catchers in Pittsburgh, Michael Perez, was dealt to the Mets the following day.
“It really stinks,” Bednar said of the Vogelbach trade Saturday morning. “I’m happy for him and the opportunity he’ll get in New York, but he was a great teammate and a great friend. I’m going to miss him, for sure.
“Like I said, it stinks, but it’s part of the business. We all have to accept it.”
While the Vogelbach trade news was tough to hear, the circumstances leading up to Bednar’s appearance in the All-Star Game were uplifting. Mets closer Edwin Diaz — scheduled to pitch the ninth inning for the National League — lobbied Atlanta Braves manager Brian Snitker and bullpen coach Drew French to give the inning to Bednar.
The reasoning was that any first-time All-Star should get a chance to play in the game. Bednar had warmed up briefly during the fourth inning, but was sat back down — presumably for the rest of the game.
“Yeah, I thought my night was done,” Bednar admitted. “I mean, my arm felt fine and I was still good to go. Of course I wanted to pitch, but it wasn’t my place to say anything. I just wanted to stay ready if needed.
“That was a great gesture by those pitchers down there (in the NL bullpen). Hopefully, I’ll have a chance to pay it forward some year.”
Pirates manager Derek Shelton publicly thanked Diaz and the Braves coaching contingent for their gesture during one of his press gatherings over the weekend, calling it “a pro move.”
Bednar will turn 28 in October. In 39 games this season, he is 3-4 with a 2.82 earned run average, 61 strikeouts and 14 walks in 45.2 innings. Opponents are hitting just .206 against him.
While lined up along the base-line during pre-game introductions at the All-Star Game, Bednar doffed his cap while his name was announced, pointing toward the 13 family members in the stands who made the trip to Los Angeles for the game.
“I had to acknowledge my family there,” Bednar said. “Their support has been tremendous.”
As had Bednar’s performance since coming to the Pirates in the trade with San Diego in January of 2021.
“I love what’s going on with this (Pirate) organization right now,” he said. “You can see the young talent here right now and what they’re building. I’m grateful and excited to be a part of it.
“This has been a crazy ride, so much fun. I don’t want it to end anytime soon.”
