All-Star closer David Bednar named Pirates nominee for Roberto Clemente Award

Pittsburgh Pirates All-Star closer David Bednar, a Mars alum, was named the team’s 2022 nominee for the Roberto Clemente Award, one of MLB’s most prestigious individual honors.

The Roberto Clemente Award recognizes a major league player who best represents the game “through extraordinary character, community involvement, philanthropy and positive contributions, both on and off the field.” Each team nominates one player to be considered for the award in tribute to the Pirates Hall of Fame right fielder’s achievements and character.

“It is incredibly humbling to be nominated for this award,” Bednar said in a statement. “Growing up in Pittsburgh, I was fortunate to have a greater understanding of who Roberto was as a player and, more importantly, as an incredible human being. It truly is an honor to be nominated for this award. I hope to continue in honoring the Clemente name with the Pirates by helping others in need and spreading the love of the game throughout the community.”

Bednar, 27, is 3-4 with a 2.70 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and a team-best 17 saves in 46 2/3 innings over 40 appearances this season but has been on the injured list since Aug. 3 with lower back tightness. The 6-foot-1, 250-pound right-hander was named the NL Reliever of the Month for May, when he was 2-1 with a 1.65 ERA and 0.74 WHIP and seven saves with 21 strikeouts and two walks in 16 1/3 innings over 12 appearances, including an eight-inning scoreless streak from May 11-28.

Bednar became the first WPIAL product to represent the Pirates in the All-Star Game since shortstop Dick Groat of Swissvale in 1962 and pitched a scoreless ninth inning in the 3-2 loss on July 19 at Dodger Stadium.

Since being acquired from San Diego in January 2021 in a three-team trade that sent pitcher Joe Musgrove to the Padres, Bednar has helped make an impact to support Western Pennsylvania, where he was raised.

Last November, Bednar joined the Pirates community team for a mass Thanksgiving dinner distribution event outside PNC Park, where he helped load the cars with food and supplies for Thanksgiving meals.

In April, Bednar helped spearhead a donation of baseball equipment to his elementary school in Mars to ensure students would have a chance to have baseball be part of their physical education curriculum.

Over the summer, Bednar worked with his father, Andy Bednar, to host baseball camps for more than 100 kids in his hometown, with all funds raised donated to the Mars High School baseball team.

In July, Bednar was one of five Pirates players who participated in the Pirates Charities Miracle League Fantasy Camp, hosted in partnership with the Miracle League of Southwestern PA. Bednar led the pitching station of the fantasy camp, posed for many photos and signed all of the kids’ jerseys, staying past the time he was committed to ensure everyone who wanted to interact with him had the chance.

The next day, Bednar helped Pirates Charities host 3-year-old Kayden, who is battling leukemia, at PNC Park. Bednar made him feel like a Pirate for the day, showing him around the clubhouse, allowing him to hang out at his locker and giving him the VIP treatment on the field during pregame.

In August, Bednar participated in the Pirates Favorite Things Basket Auction, donating a basket of his favorite things and autographed game-worn items to be auctioned off and raise funds for the work Pirates Charities does in the community.

“David being named our Clemente Award nominee has extra special meaning,” Pirates chairman Bob Nutting said in a statement. “Since the day we acquired David in 2021, he expressed a true desire to partner with Pirates Charities to help make a real impact in his hometown. I am very proud of David and how he represents our commitment to make a difference in the lives of others in our community. It is a deep part of who we are as an organization and what Pirates Charities is all about.”

MLB will celebrate Roberto Clemente Day on Sept. 15, honoring Clemente’s legacy as a humanitarian and to formally acknowledge club nominees of the Roberto Clemente Award. As part of the league-wide celebration, the Roberto Clemente Day logo will appear on the bases and official dugout lineup cards and a special tribute video will be played in ballparks. Additionally, a customized tribute video to both Roberto and his wife, Vera, in English and Spanish will be shown in all MLB ballparks on Roberto Clemente Day as well as on MLB Network, MLB.com, Club sites and MLB Social Media Platforms.