'Beyond all of my wildest dreams': Bednar added to All-Star roster

LOS ANGELES -- Derek Shelton had the brews prepared.

Ahead of Selection Sunday, the Pirates' manager purchased a case of I.C. Light, a Pittsburgh staple, to, once again, gift to David Bednar should he earn his second consecutive All-Star selection. When Bednar was left off the initial roster, Shelton told clubhouse manager Scott “Bones” Bonnett to bring the case on the team’s trip to Los Angeles. Just in case. I.C. Light, after all, is a regional beer that Shelton wouldn't be able to buy last minute in L.A.

“I told Bones, ‘I still think he’s got a chance, he’s so close,’” Shelton recalled. “So, it was packed and ready to go.”

Shelton’s planning wasn’t in vain.

Bednar has been named an All-Star for the second time in his career, slated to take the place of Dodgers lefty Clayton Kershaw, who went on the injured list on Monday.

“This is beyond all of my wildest dreams,” Bednar said. “I’m so blessed to have this opportunity. I’ve just been putting my head down and grinding. Whenever things like this come up, it’s really special and it takes you back for a second.”

• MLB All-Star Game presented by Mastercard: July 11 on FOX

Bednar will join Shelton and right-hander Mitch Keller in Seattle, both of whom will be experiencing the first All-Star Games of their career. With Tuesday's news, Bednar became the sixth reliever in Pirates history to be named to multiple All-Star Games, joining Roy Face, Mike Williams, Joel Hanrahan, Mark Melancon and Felipe Vasquez.

After earning his first All-Star selection last season, Bednar has been even better for Pittsburgh in 2023.

Across 31 1/3 innings, Bednar owns a 1.44 ERA and 1.73 FIP, having converted 16 of 17 save attempts. Entering Tuesday, Bednar's 1.5 fWAR was tied with Baltimore’s Yennier Cano for the third-highest mark in baseball, trailing only Félix Bautista of the O’s (1.8) and Alexis Díaz of the Reds (1.7). Last season, by contrast, Bednar had a 2.89 ERA and 2.65 FIP across 43 2/3 innings with 16 saves on 20 attempts before the break, his numbers taking a bit of a hit in June and July due to a heavy workload.

There was a possibility that Bednar would have to watch the 94th Midsummer Classic from home, initially left off the National League’s roster despite being at the top of the leaderboards in several statistical categories.

When asked about being overlooked, Bednar had commented "it is what it is" and quickly shifted his attention to Keller, who was named a first-time All-Star during the initial roster release.

“I just took it in stride,” Bednar said. “You never know what can happen, but at the end of the day, all I care about is us winning some games. Obviously, this stuff is a really cool honor, but it wasn’t the end of the world. On the flip side, this is a really cool and awesome honor. I’m pumped up.”

Added Keller, “He deserves it more than anyone. I was kind of sad the day I found out he wasn't going. I was expecting [Shelton] to say his name as well. When he told me that he wasn't selected at first, I was like, 'That's kind of B.S.' So happy for him. He deserves it. He's awesome. It's great."

With Bednar’s selection falling on the Fourth of July, Bednar said that the case of I.C. Light doesn’t stand a chance of making it through the night. Instead of keeping all the I.C. Lights for himself, Bednar gifted Kershaw a cooler with several cans, as well as a note that reads, “Mr. Kershaw, Pittsburgh’s finest beer! Enjoy!”

Prior to Monday's 5-2 loss to the Dodgers, Shelton expressed his surprise that Bednar was not selected, but hypothesized that Bednar would take Kershaw's spot on the roster.

"I thought he definitely should have got some consideration and I thought Cutch should have got some consideration," Shelton said. "So, yeah, I was definitely a little surprised. I mean, you never know. We just saw Kershaw went on the [injured list] today, so someone's going to be added in his spot. And there's always pitchers that are added. So, hopefully he would be one of those guys."

In last year's All-Star Game, Bednar pitched a scoreless top of the ninth inning after Edwin Díaz lobbied for Bednar to pitch in his place.

If Bednar finds himself in a similar situation, he’d be more than willing to pay it forward to a fellow pitcher who hasn’t had the opportunity to pitch in the exhibition.

“The first time pitching in an All-Star Game is a super special experience,” Bednar said. “Not that I’m in the same spot as [Díaz], but if I’m in any spot to extend that, that’s what it’s all about.”