Pittsburgh Pirates closer David Bednar was recently named NL Reliever of the Month after a resurgent June that saw the two-time MLB All-Star go 5-for-5 in save opportunities while only allowing one earned run in 10 innings pitched.
Despite some early-season struggles and a short stint pitching for Triple-A Indianapolis, Bednar has returned to form recently while regaining the trust of Pirates manager Don Kelly. The right-hander was also a guest on MLB Network recently, and former Major League pitcher Ryan Dempster asked the Pittsburgh native to name his Pittsburgh sports Mount Rushmore.
“Oh, man, that’s tough,” said Bednar. “There’s so many different ways you go with this. It’s not gonna make anybody happy. But I think I just go in my childhood, and leave (out) all the legends of the past. You know, I gotta go (Andrew McCutchen), (Jerome) Bettis, (Ben) Roethlisberger and (Sidney) Crosby.”
Asked about the responsibility that comes with being a veteran leader in the Pirates clubhouse, Bednar said his local roots help him put into perspective the importance of building a winning culture in the city where he grew up.
“I think it just shows I have so much pride in this city wearing the Pittsburgh Pirates uniform,” said Bednar. “And all the guys in the clubhouse are all pulling in the same direction, and are just taking it one day at a time.”
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Kelly recently spoke with MLB.com‘s Doug Miller about Bednar’s NL Reliever of the Month honor and his closer’s remarkable turnaround on the mound this season.
“A two-time All-Star goes down to Triple-A,” Kelly told Miller. “That’s the blue-collar Pittsburgh Yinzer in him. He’s a grinder and he just continues to compete, continues to work, and I’m super proud and happy for him.”
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