Enrietto: Bednar story ongoing
So where does he go from here?
David Bednar’s hometown success story continues.The Mars graduate and Pittsburgh Pirates closer saved his 34th game Wednesday night, pitching himself out of a bases-loaded, one-out jam while clinging to a one-run lead in the ninth inning against Washington.
He was one pitch away from walking home the tying run with still only one out before recording that save.
Bednar has a few saves of that ilk this season. He can pitch himself into trouble, he can pitch himself out. He never loses composure on the mound and, averaging more than a strikeout an inning, always believes he can get a critical punch-out when needed.
He’s also had numerous saves in which he’s retired the side in order in the ninth, such as in Thursday’s win over Washington. He’s also had saves where he entered the game before the ninth inning.
Bednar’s 34th save came in the Pirates’ 68th win of the season. For a closer to save half the wins for a sub-.500 team is impressive. He’s got 35 saves with an outside shot at 40 this year.
But his kudos don’t stop there.
He’s a two-time National League All-Star. He’s also the Pirates' nominee for the Roberto Clemente Award for the second successive year. That honor goes to the major leaguer who exhibits high character and is a positive influence on and off the field.
Bednar continues to give of his time to the Mars community and the Pittsburgh area in general. He represents his hometown well.
How cool would it be to see Bednar receive the Roberto Clemente Award during the World Series? Don’t rule anything out with this guy.
The only question now is how his story’s going to wind up.
Local kid gets traded to his hometown major league team — his name hardly known around baseball at the time — and develops into one of the top closers in the major leagues. He makes the All Star Game in the process.
Wouldn’t it be something if Bednar remains the Pirates closer as the team turns the corner over the next couple of years and becomes a playoff contender?
Be skeptical if you wish, but stranger things have happened.
And if someone would have told you David Bednar would be pitching like he is for the Pittsburgh Pirates five years ago, would you have believed it?
John Enrietto is sports editor of the Butler Eagle
