Mars’ Bednar named NL All-Star
MILWAUKEE — Mars graduate David Bednar surrendered a two-run homer to Milwaukee’s Andrew McCutchen in the ninth inning Sunday afternoon.
His day went pretty well regardless.
The Pirates still defeated the Brewers, 8-6. And Bednar was named the Bucs’ representative in Major League Baseball’s All-Star Game July 19 in Los Angeles.
In only his second full major league season, Bednar has a 2.63 earned run average and 15 saves as the Pirates’ closer. He is 3-2 with 55 strikeouts and 12 walks in 41 innings pitched, covering 34 games.
“He’s pitched himself into that position,” Pirates manager Derek Shelton said of Bednar assuming the team’s closer role this season.
Bednar picked up his 15th save in Saturday’s 4-3 Pirates win in Milwaukee. He added a pair of strikeouts in his outing on Sunday.
“He found out about the All-Star Game an hour and a half before the (Sunday) game,” said Andy Bednar, David’s father. “He sent me a text with three stars on it and said he’d be calling us in a little bit.
“I’m glad he clued us in before the game. It gives me time to make plane reservations for Los Angeles. It’s been a pretty crazy year, hasn’t it?”
Bednar did not become the Pirates closer until more than a month into the season. His 15 saves occurred in 18 opportunities and he recently went through a rough stretch, dealing with a lower back strain.
Andy Bednar thought his son may wind up on the injured list rather than on the National League’s all-star roster.
“Yeah, that thought crossed my mind,” he admitted. “David’s never going to say no when they want to give him the ball. He’s going to take it every time. He’s had one-inning, two inning, two innings-plus outings. He threw 50 pitches in an outing twice and that’s a lot for him. But he just wants to help his team win games.
“David would never say this, but I will. He was probably over-used a little bit and that soreness developed. But Shelton gave him a few days to rest and that seemed to help.”
Bednar was a late-round draft choice out of Lafayette and practically willed his way to the major leagues.
“It’s not like he went to a Power 5 school or anything,” Mars baseball coach Jason Thompson said. “He scratched and clawed his way up the ladder. It was a grind for him the whole way.
“To see where he’s at now ... just getting to the major leagues is huge, but now he’s one of the best pitchers in the world. Those are the guys who make the All-Star Game.”
Andy Bednar refers to his son’s rise in pitching status over the past two years as “storybook.”
“I’ve been over-using the word surreal a lot, but that’s exactly what this is,” he said.
Thompson taught Bednar in eighth grade and coached him when Bednar was a freshman. He believes Bednar’s story will benefit and motivate youths in Mars for years to come.
“He’s become a local dream come true,” the coach said. “Kids in our community know he’s from their neighborhood, sat in the same classrooms they’re sitting in, had the same teachers they have.
“David dreamed big and got there. He’s shown what drive and determination can do. When kids see that happen to someone they know, it makes a difference.”
