Hometown kid Bednar earns first All-Star nod (and some IC Lights!)

MILWAUKEE -- With Major League Baseball's official announcement of the pitchers and reserves for the 2022 All-Star Game, David Bednar will represent the third-place Pirates next week in Los Angeles.

"It's unbelievable," Bednar said Sunday at American Family Field. "Honestly, it still hasn't really sunk in yet. But it's humbling and just really cool."

Bednar, born and raised in Mars, Butler County, has emerged as one of the sport's best relievers after enjoying a successful 2021 campaign where he finished eighth in National League Rookie of the Year voting and faring even better this summer. Despite the two-run home run he allowed to Andrew McCutchen in the ninth inning of the 8-6 victory over the Brewers here Sunday, Bednar owns a 2.63 ERA, a 1.00 WHIP, 55 strikeouts and 12 walks in 41 innings, and he ranks sixth in the league with 15 saves.

Prior to a couple recent rough outings after dealing with a minor back issue, Bednar was on a collision course for a trip to the Midsummer Classic. Through April and May, Bednar had a 1.38 ERA and 0.81 WHIP while striking out 35 batters in 26 innings. Bednar earned NL Reliever of the Month in May after claiming the closer's role, notching seven saves in eight opportunities.

What makes Bednar stand out among the game's best relievers is his ability to pitch multiple high-leverage innings late in games. It's given Derek Shelton a valuable weapon out of the bullpen. In turn, Bednar leads Major League Baseball with four multi-inning saves. Now, Shelton has given him the keys to the ninth inning as the undoubted closer on this team.

"The one thing that stands out is he's pretty calm in all situations," Shelton said Sunday. "He's himself into this. He pitched last year in some mid-leverage roles, then leverage late. Earlier in the year we just kind of utilized him whatever leverage we want. He's earned and deserves to pitch the ninth inning and because of it, he's an All-Star."

Bednar found out he was earning his first All-Star nod about an 90 minutes prior to Sunday's first pitch. Shelton and the team made sure this moment was one Bednar would never forget.

"Shelty said there's usually a bottle of champagne but there was a case if IC Lights for me," Bednar laughed. "He knew the way to my heart."

Evidence of this scene:

"I was sure Bednar would never drink that bottle of champagne unless his fiancée tells him they're going to," Shelton said. "So I had the 30-rack waiting for him."

Being a native of Pittsburgh, Bednar watched closers such as Joel Hanrahan, Jason Grilli and Mark Melancon earn trips to the All-Star Game representing the Pirates. That makes this selection even more special for him and the team.

"I don't event think I have words for it," Bednar said. "It's just unbelievable. It takes me to some of the guys who have done it before. Some of the guys I grew up watching. ... Being a part of that, you never think you're going to be in that caliber, so to have that kind of honor puts you in a good space."

Fortunately for Bednar, he didn't have any plans that needed cancelling to make room for the trip to L.A., where he'll be on the big stage with the game's biggest and brightest stars. Though he might have the chance to face the likes of Mike Trout or Shohei Ohtani, just being there is enough for Bednar.

"Just soaking in the moment as a whole," Bednar said. "I'm fired up. It's still so fresh. Right now, it's just unbelievable."

All-Star festivities begin July 16 at Dodger Stadium with the Futures Game. The first round of the MLB Draft will take place on the evening of July 17, the Home Run Derby will be on July 18 and the All-Star Game will be played on July 19.

Four former Pirates were also among the All-Star selections: Gerrit Cole and Clay Holmes of the Yankees, Joe Musgrove of the Padres, and Starling Marte of the Mets.