‘He’s a Yinzer’
For Pirates’ David Bednar, lending a hand in the community is a never-ending goal
Pirates pitcher David Bednar was late for a group photo with the Pirate Parrot, franchise legend Steve Blass and bench coach Don Kelly on Tuesday when he was whisked away from an interview, handed a pie and told where to stand and smile.
“Oh, I’m the pie guy!” Mr. Bednar exclaimed. “I’m good with that.”
At this point in Mr. Bednar’s major league career, it might be easier to make a list of things he’s not rather than what he has become.
He’s not a jerk, his humility reinforced by his Pittsburgh roots. Mr. Bednar is also not interested in taking his role as Pirates team representative lightly, the Mt. Lebanon-born and Mars-raised pitcher making it his mission to dive deep into community relations efforts.
On a sun-splashed afternoon on the Mazeroski Way cul-de-sac at PNC Park, Mr. Bednar and other
members of the Pirates joined the Penguins and Steelers for the annual #BurghProud Thanksgiving meal distribution event.
And while Steelers such as Mitch Trubisky, Karl Joseph and Akhello Witherspoon, or Penguins Brian Dumoulin, Bryan Rust, Jake Guentzel and Chad Ruhwedel, did a terrific job filling cars with food and spreading holiday cheer, none of them are actually from here.
For Mr. Bednar, 28, that’s no small thing.
“I’m so fortunate to be in the spot that I’m in and have a chance to play for the team that I grew up watching,” Mr. Bednar said. “Any time you have the opportunity to give back and be around the community, it really hits home.
“Anything I can do ... I’m more than willing. I genuinely look forward to it.”
Mr. Bednar’s 2022 has been like a “Where’s Waldo” book:
Appearances at his alma mater for a baseball camp, a Pirates Charities Miracle League fantasy camp and a baseball equipment drive to benefit his old elementary school. So far this offseason, an event at Chartiers Valley touting the Chill Mobile RV, plus delivering nonperishable food items to Light of Life Rescue Mission and another event in December called Mars Planet Fest, where Mr. Bednar and his younger brother, Will, will raise money for Mars baseball.
Mr. Bednar has somehow mixed in a couple random appearances at Steelers and Penguins games, plus wedding planning with his fiancee, Casey.
“She been doing a really good job of it,” Mr. Bednar said. “I’ve been giving my two cents when asked. I’ve been trying my best.”
The run of activity is exactly what the Pirates need. In addition to blossoming into an All-Star closer, Mr. Bednar — the Pirates’ 2022
Roberto Clemente Award nominee — has embraced his offseason the same way he pitches — with full intensity all the time and doing his best to generate positive publicity around the team.
“He leads by example,” Mr. Kelly said. “He’s one of the hardest-working guys we have. He goes out there, competes, and we’ve gotten to see what he’s capable of doing.
“We see how he carries himself during the season, but I think the community is starting to see how much he truly cares about the Pirates and Pittsburgh. He’s willing to give back any way he can.”
The asks on Mr. Bednar’s time can be a lot. He’s the only Pirates player who lives here during the offseason, he’s actually a recognizable name, and the organization — spearheaded by Pirates Charities — does a lot in the community.
Which generally means that Mr. Bednar spends a lot of time with the Pirate Parrot and/or Mr. Blass, recognizable parts of the organization and goodwill ambassadors when it comes to charity events.
Jacque Skowvron, the executive director of Pirates Charities and community outreach for the organization, is often charged with lining up Mr. Bednar for appearances at events and doesn’t want to overload anyone, especially during the offseason.
At the same time, Mr. Bednar understands his role and embraces it.
“Of course you worry about that, especially since he’s one of the few actually here in the area,” Ms. Skowvron said. “But he does it with a smile over and over again. We tell him, ‘If it’s too much, let us know.’ He has never once said that. He’s fantastic. He really is.”
The event Tuesday was just the latest example. Once 1:30 p.m. rolled around, six cars at a time entered the distribution station. Each team handled two vehicles. Into the trunk or back seat went a turkey, a box of dry goods, an apple pie and a $15 gift card donated by Giant Eagle.
Participating teams also worked together to produce goodie baskets for everyone who came through.
“It’s like a NASCAR pit stop,” Ms. Skowvron joked, calling the event “a pride project” for the Pirates and describing how the organization takes immense pride in having this run smoothly since it happens within shouting distance of the ballpark.
“It’s fun, especially around the holidays, to be able to give back to people and put some smiles on peoples’ faces,” Mr. Rust said. “It’s also fun to team up with the Steelers and Pirates, something we don’t usually get an opportunity to do.”
“We have a lot to be thankful for,” added Mr. Trubisky, the Steelers quarterback. “We’re trying to spread some holiday cheer, have a good time and make sure these families have food for the holidays.”
Three-hundred families will benefit, said Brian Gulish, the vice president of marketing and communications for the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank and also a diehard Pittsburgh sports fan.
As Mr. Gulish spoke, players wished everyone a happy Thanksgiving and chatted with drivers while they waited to leave the area, asking how they were doing and exchanging pleasantries about ongoing seasons at Acrisure Stadium and inside PPG Paints Arena.
“Our saying is that it takes a community to feed a community,” Mr. Gulish said. “These three teams are community champions.”
At the center of that, of course, is Mr. Bednar, the most visible of our local athletes and the next in a prideful line of service-minded Pirates, from Roberto Clemente to Andrew McCutchen to Jacob Stallings only a couple years ago.
After Mr. Bednar finished posing for the group photo, he looked over his shoulder and described Mr. Blass as “a good act to follow,” highlighting how seriously the Pittsburgh transplant has taken his attachment to the Pirates, something that has had him see the best of times and also endure struggles.
Mr.Bednar is still in the early stages of his major league career, but he certainly doesn’t have any plans to limit his serviceminded profile. If anything, the Pirates closer wants to expand how much time he spends helping others.
“He’s such a great human being,” Mr. Kelly said. “Who he is, how he carries himself and how much he loves the city and the community ... he just gives back any chance he gets. He’s a Pittsburgher. He’s a Yinzer.”
“I’m so fortunate to be in the spot that I’m in and have a chance to play for the team that I grew up watching. Any time you have the opportunity to give back and be around the community, it really hits home.”
— David Bednar