The Renegade is going to Hollywood.
Pittsburgh Pirates closer David Bednar, a Mars alum, was selected to represent his hometown team at the 92nd All-Star Game on July 19 at Dodger Stadium.
“Unbelievable,” Bednar said. “Pittsburgh holds a special place in my heart. It’s home. It’s unbelievable. To represent Pittsburgh and the Pirates and this team in L.A. is going to be really special, really cool.”
Bednar is the first Pirates player from the WPIAL to be selected to the All-Star Game since shortstop Dick Groat of Swissvale in 1962.
“That’s really cool, when you get a guy that deserves it,” Pirates manager Derek Shelton said. “To be able to represent his hometown team, that’s pretty sick.”
Shelton delivered the news inside the clubhouse after the Pirates’ 8-6 win over the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field, gifting Bednar a bottle of champagne and a 30-pack of I.C. Light.
“He knows the key to my heart, I guess,” Bednar said, with a laugh, about the beer. “Everybody in the room was pumped up. It was a really cool way to find out.”
It marks the first All-Star appearance for Bednar, who was acquired from the San Diego Padres in the Joe Musgrove trade in January 2021. Bednar is 3-2 with a 2.63 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 15 saves in 41 innings over 34 appearances. He has made 10 multi-inning appearances and recorded an NL-leading five multi-inning saves this season.
