Every MLB team will have at least one All-Star Game representative, according to the league rules.
This Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher, however, would be deserving of a spot even if the league wasn’t forced to include a player of the 36-50 team.
Relief pitcher David Bednar, who came over to the Pirates in the Joe Musgrove trade before the 2021 campaign, was selected to the Midsummer Classic.
The Pirates gave him a pretty nice gift as recognition for his achievement.
“The biggest yinzer we know is headed to the All-Star Game!” the Pirates Twitter account wrote, with a video.
The biggest yinzer we know is headed to the All-Star Game! pic.twitter.com/RxtDbFBvq0
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) July 10, 2022
Bednar, a Pittsburgh native, was presented with some local brews.
The organization joked that they would give him some champagne, but he wouldn’t drink that: instead, they gave some local beers to the “yinzer”, a term used among people who identify themselves with the city of Pittsburgh and its traditions.
An Incredible Year By All Standards
Teammates cheered and applauded the talented pitcher, one of the best players on the roster at the moment.
To say Bednar is having a fantastic year would be an understatement.
In 34 games, he owns a rock-solid 2.63 ERA and has saved 15 games in 18 tries.
He has a 1.00 WHIP in 41.0 innings, allowing 29 hits and striking out 55 hitters so far.
It’s not a one-year thing, either: last year, he had a 2.23 ERA, cementing his place as one of the best relievers in the National League.
Bednar, a true representative of the city and the storied franchise, will try to keep Pittsburgh’s name in high regard during the All-Star Game, to be played in Los Angeles, at Dodger Stadium, on July 19.
He is truly deserving of the honor.
