It only makes sense.

The Pittsburgh Pirates recently announced that Mars graduate David Bednar has been selected as the club’s candidate for the annual Roberto Clemente Award.

That award is designed to recognize a player who represents baseball through extraordinary character, community involvement and positive contributions on and off the field.

Since returning to his hometown via a trade prior to the 2021 season, Bednar has been all of that and more.

Last Thanksgiving, he helped load cars of fellow community members with everything needed to provide a Thanksgiving dinner for their families.

Last winter, he and younger brother Will, a pitcher in the San Francisco Giants system, took part in a baseball carnival in the Mars Area High School gymnasium. They signed autographs and talked to kids as part of a fund-raiser for the Mars baseball program.

Last April, he helped to spearhead a donation of equipment to his elementary school in Mars, making a personal appearance at the school and putting on a baseball clinic for the kids in the process.

In July, Bednar was one of five Pirates to participate in a Miracle League Fantasy Camp at Graham Park in Cranberry Township. He posed for photos, signed the kids’ jerseys and stayed late to make sure all who wanted to interact with him had the chance.

The following day, Bednar assisted Pirates Charities in hosting a local 3-year-old who loves baseball and is fighting leukemia. Bednar showed the boy around the Pirates clubhouse and allowed him to hang out at his locker.

Finally, just last month, Bednar donated a basket of items, including autographed game-worn apparel, to be auctioned off as part of the Pirates Favorite Things Basket Auction, designed to raise money for Pirates Charities.

Simply put, this man cares.

He appreciates what he has in his life and why he has it.

He is grateful to the Mars community, his alma mater and his family. His own father coached him in high school.

It was this area that helped develop Bednar’s grit and determination, traits needed to overcome the low odds of a late-round draft pick making it to the major leagues.

Bednar is more than a success story, his 17 saves easily leading the Pirates despite him being sidelined for a month on the injured list.

Forget the Pirates’ won-loss record. David Bednar is proud to wear the team’s uniform and represent the city, just as Roberto Clemente was.

No doubt, other major leaguers are also deserving of this award, which will be announced and presented during the postseason.

Seeing David Bednar receive it would be fitting.

And very deserving.

John Enrietto is sports editor of the Butler Eagle