David Bednar Feels Different Buzz in Hometown This Year (+)
A Major League Baseball home opener is always special. There’s an extra buzz in the air and in the stadium that can be felt by players, coaches and fans alike.
For Pittsburgh Pirates reliever David Bednar, a home opener is even more special. After all, Bednar’s home opener comes in the city he has always called home.
The Pirates acquired Bednar from the San Diego Padres in a three-team trade prior to the start of the 2021 season. This will now be Bednar’s third home opener in the black and gold, but this one feels a little bit different than the others.
“Driving down 279 today was just a little different buzz this year than the last two. Seeing the skyline (of Pittsburgh) – there was a little extra excitement today. I’m so lucky to have this be where I have the opportunity to play. I feel like I’ve got to pinch myself every single day.”
There are a few different reasons as to why there’s a little bit of extra buzz in Pittsburgh this April. For starters, Andrew McCutchen will make his long-awaited return in Friday’s opener.
“It definitely feels different than the last two Opening Days I’ve been a part of. It definitely special because (McCutchen) is back. I think everybody kind of feels that energy and I think the whole city is really getting behind it.”
McCutchen will take the field in a Pirates’ uniform at PNC Park for the first time since 2017. The five-time All-Star and 2013 National League MVP has long been a fan favorite.
The now 36-year-old was instrumental in snapping the Pirates’ 20-year losing streak and getting the Pirates back to the playoffs in 2013, but he’s not the only member of that team making a return to Pittsburgh.
A.J. Burnett will be throwing out the first pitch prior to the start of the game and Russell Martin will be behind home plate to receive it.
Long before Bednar called himself a Pirate, he was able to call himself a Pirates’ fan, and the nostalgia of the return of Burnett and Martin adds even more to the strong vibe surrounding the day.
“I remember watching (the 2013 Wild Card game) on TV, blown away. As a Pittsburgh sports fan, it’s really one of the more memorable moments and now to have some of those guys back and have that energy going forward, hopefully we can get that going again.”
While the nostalgia factor in play from several key players from the 2013 team — now 10 years ago — the team’s early performance has only enhanced the feelings of Pirates’ fans.
The Pirates currently sit with a record of 4-2 and are coming off a three-game sweep of the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park earlier in the week.
It’s early, very early, but maybe the Pirates are starting to show signs of turning a corner after back-to-back 100-loss seasons.
“We had really good vibes and really good atmosphere at spring training and (we) just wanted to start the season off strong and get that confidence rolling. Having a good first road trip is a great way to kind of keep that momentum rolling forward through this series and especially on a day like this.”
The Pirates have a mixture of younger players and veterans and the team has been able to mesh together to help deliver an impressive on-field product in the early stages.
Whether it’s Dauri Moreta walking off the mound flashing money signs with his hands, or Mitch Keller getting visibly amped after picking up a big strikeout to end a threat, the team is confident.
“It’s that confidence. All the guys that got their feet wet last year and then adding some veterans here today – it’s that confidence … Having success builds confidence and they snowball off each other. As the season goes, I think you’re going to see more and more growth, guys coming into their own. It’s still early…but the more opportunities guys have, and proving that they do have it, is a recipe for success.”
Only six games into a 162-game season, it is still hard to predict what the future may hold this year. But Bednar is right to this point, this one just feels different.