Pittsburgh Pirates’ David Bednar has Mars jersey number retired
ADAMS TWP — Mars Area High School retired the first sports jersey in the history of the school Friday, Feb. 3 — the number 24 baseball jersey, belonging to 2013 graduate and Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher David Bednar.
As school administrators unveiled Bednar’s framed jersey in the high school gymnasium Friday afternoon, Bednar said he thought of the friends he made while playing baseball at the school 10 years ago, who also shared dreams of playing the sport professionally.
The Pittsburgh Pirate said he and his friends dreamed of having their jerseys retired.
“To be the first one, it's really an honor. I am incredibly proud of it, and just being from this area,” Bednar said. “To be the first one (retired), it's really special.”
Bednar, a relief pitcher, was traded from the San Diego Padres to the Pirates in 2021, having begun his major league career in 2019.
“I was a huge Pirates fan, a huge Pittsburgh sports fan, really,” Bednar said. “Now to be able to be a part of that, it's unbelievable.”
