NEW YORK -- David Bednar’s locker at Yankee Stadium came with a little taste of home on Monday, and the setup fit the moment. Before the Pirates arrived in New York, Bednar had half-jokingly asked Pittsburgh assistant clubhouse manager Nik Cook and head of Major League video Kevin Roach to bring him some IC Light. They showed up with 24 of them.
“I’m glad they followed through,” Bednar joked before the Pirates opened a three-game series with the Yankees. “It’s a little tough to get IC Light out here.”
The beer was a funny touch, but the bigger story was Bednar talking openly about what Pittsburgh meant to him. The right-hander, who became a two-time All-Star with the Pirates from 2021-25, said the organization gave him the chance to become a big leaguer and helped shape his career.
After coming over in the Joe Musgrove trade, Bednar made the Major League roster out of Spring Training in 2021 and quickly climbed into the back end of the bullpen. He reached the All-Star Game in 2022 and ’23, and his best season came in that second All-Star year, when he posted a 2.00 ERA with 39 saves, 21 walks and 80 strikeouts in 67 1/3 innings.
Not bad for a 35th-round pick of Lafayette in 2016.
“From growing up there and rooting for them when I was younger, all of that aside, I was able to establish myself as a big leaguer there,” the Mars product said. “They gave me the runway to have some success.
I had some success, had some failures, had a little bit of everything. It really shaped me into who I am today.
I couldn’t be more appreciative of my time there. A lot of good memories.”
Bednar’s impact in Pittsburgh went well beyond the mound. He was a constant presence in the community, and his charity work made him a three-time Roberto Clemente Award nominee. Even on Monday, he was back engaging with fans and trying to brighten kids’ days.
Youth camps, Thanksgiving events, community-outreach programs - Bednar showed up for all of it. At the same time, his production turned him into a clubhouse voice. From 2022-23, only six players had more saves than Bednar’s 58.
“It’s tough facing him from the other side,” Pirates manager Don Kelly said. “He’s meant so much to the Pirates.
Did a great job for us. Weird seeing him in a Yankees uniform.”
Bednar also knows the rough stretches that come with the job. In 2024, he rushed back from lat soreness and never really got rolling, finishing with a 5.77 ERA in 62 appearances and seven blown saves. The next season, he was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis, a move that helped him reset before Pittsburgh traded him to the Yankees on July 31 for Rafael Flores Jr., Edgleen Perez and Brian Sanchez.
Even after the trade, Bednar has kept close tabs on the Pirates, and he expects a challenge when he faces them.
“They certainly hit,” Bednar said. “Will have to make pitches.
It’s cool to see. They’re doing well.”
He said he was looking forward to seeing former teammates over the three-game set, even though the roster has changed a lot in a short span. He still has a strong connection with Mitch Keller, Bryan Reynolds and especially Kelly, with the two spending plenty of time together over the winter.
More than anything, Bednar sounded genuinely happy about where the Pirates are right now.
“It’s cool to watch from afar and the success these guys are having this year,” Bednar said. “The city of Pittsburgh deserves that.
They deserve winning baseball. It’s such an unbelievable sports town.
It’s been cool to watch from afar, check in with my guys and see they’re all doing well.”
The conversation eventually turned to the Steelers, as it usually does with Bednar. He was disappointed to see Mike Tomlin go, but he likes what he has seen from Mike McCarthy so far.
“I’m pumped up,” Bednar said. “Tough to see [Tomlin] go.
The success he had and for how long, it’s so impressive. But McCarthy being a yinzer, are you kidding me?
“If you weren’t excited after that press conference, you have to check your pulse. That got me going.
All the reports seem like vibes are great. I’m looking forward to this year.”
Once baseball season is over, Bednar figures he’ll be back at Acrisure Stadium with a few IC Lights in hand.
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