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CHICAGO -- For the kid from Mars, Pa., the reality that he’d soon be taking the field on opening day for his hometown team still hasn’t set in.
“I know I was just thrilled and can't even put it into words,” David Bednar said.
A full month’s work was already complete for Bednar as he trotted from the bullpen for the final out of the third inning in the penultimate Grapefruit League game. By that point, Bednar was already informed that he’d burst the bubble on which he floated to Bradenton and knew his week would end at Wrigley Field.
But he also had a perfect ERA to maintain.
“Honestly, all that other stuff wasn't really a factor in that. Just wanted to finish on a good note,” Bednar said. “Once you start thinking about that you just kind of lose focus. I was just -- this whole spring, I've just been taking it one day at a time. And truly just, that's the only thing on my mind. That hitter, that time, that pitch.”
This simplistic approach did wonders for Bednar in the spring. He’d strikeout his lone opponent, Mitch Garver, in that game against the Twins and finish with 18 punchouts over 8.2 innings.
It was no sure thing that Bednar would make the opening day roster when camp opened. But by the time the club made the trip north, manager Derek Shelton couldn’t help but laugh at the obvious rationale behind the decision to bring Bednar along.
“He came in and he performed,” Shelton said after a chuckle. “I think that’s the most important thing.”
At this point, Bednar has not been provided a specific role within the bullpen. That should come as no surprise as, on the eve of the opener, the Pirates won’t even name a starting center fielder.
Shelton admitted that there’s no new information left to review for lineup and roster decisions. But the second-year skipper at least led on that anyone in the bullpen could have their feet held to the fire in a high-leverage situation.
This plan doesn’t lack clarity for Bednar, who’s found success by adopting the same approach to every outing.
“Before every series you always try to go over the hitters and have some sort of plan with how to go about attacking them,” Bednar said. “Whenever I get called in there, I’m just going to go out and compete, try and get guys out.”
That focus began when he entered spring without merely an outside shot at the opening day roster. But there was a particularly large amount of noise to block out. What with nearly 30 pitchers vying for 14 spots, he’d have to pitch his way onto his hometown club.
“It's one thing to say but it's one thing to do it. I think this year, I put an extra focus on just worrying about myself and not worrying about other guys,” Bednar said. “Just trying to be a good teammate and truly controlling what I can control. I put that into practice more this year and just really went out and competed, and that's about all I thought about.”
Although he absolutely should, there’s no guarantee that Bednar will get into a game this weekend. But even if his Pirates debut comes in Cincinnati or in front of the hometown after that, the 26-year-old still gets to line up along the foul lines and hear his name get called on opening day.
