Pirates closer David Bednar: Push for him to pitch made All-Star Game 'even more special'

David Bednar couldn’t stop smiling about the Hollywood treatment he got at the All-Star Game, from walking the red carpet to watching the Home Run Derby on the field at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.

But the Pittsburgh Pirates closer was most impressed by a move made out of the spotlight, when New York Mets closer Edwin Diaz lobbied National League manager Brian Snitker and bullpen coach Drew French of the Atlanta Braves to have Bednar pitch in the ninth inning of Tuesday’s Midsummer Classic.

“It’s even more special because I didn’t really realize it at the time that they were actively pushing for me to have an opportunity to throw,” Bednar said Friday before the Pirates played the Miami Marlins at PNC Park. “I think they all understood how special it is to be at an All-Star Game and also to throw in your first one. I’m just very thankful that they were able to do that, and I was able to get in that game because it definitely made it that much more memorable.”

Pirates closer David Bednar talks about how much it meant that Edwin Diaz lobbied National League manager Brian Snitker and bullpen coach Drew French to have Bednar pitch in his place in the ninth inning of the All-Star Game. pic.twitter.com/QVXtxnpcMP

— Kevin Gorman (@KevinGormanPGH) July 22, 2022

Derek Shelton had just learned about the behind-the-scenes negotiating Diaz did to have Bednar pitch in his place in his first All-Star appearance by reading Ken Rosenthal’s story in The Athletic, so the Pirates manager started his pregame news conference Friday by publicly thanking Diaz, Snitker and French.

“I did not know that. That’s really cool, the fact that veteran players lobbied for young kid to get in,” Shelton said. “That’s sick, man. I’d like to thank those guys, especially Diaz. That’s a real pro move. It’s what the All-Star Game should be about.”

After warming up in the middle of the All-Star Game and sitting back down, David Bednar thought his moment had passed.

And it would have, if not for Edwin Díaz.

The story behind Bednar's first ASG appearance: ⤵️https://t.co/kufzLHOhgt pic.twitter.com/jqSLxzGBwo

— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) July 21, 2022

Bednar laughed about the rarity of getting three groundouts — by Corey Seager, Jose Trevino and J.D. Martinez (Santiago Espinal drew a full-count walk) — but took pride in throwing a scoreless ninth inning. Shelton is hoping that Bednar’s confidence is contagious for the Pirates.

“You do carry yourself different because, you know, you walk in that room and it’s the best players in the game,” Shelton said of the All-Star Game. “You need to step back and be like, ‘I deserve to be here.’ ”

Pirates closer David Bednar on how he’s carrying himself with more confidence after his first All-Star Game experience. pic.twitter.com/65UQNkE0Ys

— Kevin Gorman (@KevinGormanPGH) July 22, 2022

The only sign of Bednar’s new All-Star status was the blue-and-white duffle bag in front of his locker in the Pirates’ clubhouse. But Bednar believes his experience will be beneficial.

“For sure, I think you have a little bit more confidence in yourself,” Bednar said. “It’s more kind of a humbling experience to be in that conversation of people and in that locker room and on that field. The whole experience is unbelievable.”