For Pirates closer David Bednar, home opener hits different than in years prior

David Bednar has made the southward drive from his home in Mars to Pittsburgh’s North Shore countless times.

Now in Year 3 with the Pirates, showing up to work at PNC Park is nothing new for the 28-year-old closer, who, in addition to having pitched a total of 109 games with the team, made countless trips to the ballpark as a kid.

Still, Bednar’s journey into Pittsburgh on Friday morning as he and the Pirates gear up for their 2023 home opener against the Chicago White Sox was cut of a unique cloth.

“Driving down (Interstate) 279 today was just a little different buzz this year than the last two (home openers),” Bednar said. “Seeing the skyline — 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.”

In part, that can be attributed to the composition of the Pirates roster, with offseason acquisitions lending credence to the belief this year’s club can compete at a higher level than the last four, which finished last in the NL Central.

Of those additions, including left-hander Rich Hill — Friday’s starting pitcher — none created more excitement than the signing of franchise legend Andrew McCutchen to a one-year deal.

The presence of McCutchen on Friday, a primary architect of the Pirates’ string of three consecutive NL wild-card appearances from 2013-15 that ended 20 years of consecutive losing seasons, adds another level of excitement.

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“It’s definitely special because (McCutchen) is back,” Bednar said. “I think everybody kind of feels that energy, and I think the whole city is really getting behind it.”

Drawing on the 10-year anniversary of the 2013 wild-card club, the Pirates will have A.J. Burnett and Russell Martin reunite to toss the ceremonial first pitch.

Burnett, a hard-throwing 6-foot-4 right-hander, signed with the Pirates in early 2012 at age 35. Over the span of three seasons (2012-13, 2015), he revitalized a career in its closing stage.

In 2013, when the Pirates made the playoffs for the first time since 1992, Burnett went 10-11 with a 3.30 ERA over 191 innings and provided a leadership presence.

Martin played the 2013 and ’14 seasons in Pittsburgh, serving as the Pirates’ starting catcher. He enjoyed his finest moment during the 2013 NL wild-card game against the Cincinnati Reds, hitting a pair of home runs.

McCutchen was in the middle of a five-year All-Star run when the Pirates signed Burnett and Martin. In 2013, McCutchen went on to win NL MVP honors.

McCutchen now serves in the mentorship role that Burnett and Martin played and reflected on the benefit of having a veteran presence in the clubhouse for younger players to emulate.

“You need the A.J. Burnetts, Russell Martins, Francisco Lirianos and Jason Grillis, you need those guys around the clubhouse to help formulate a really good team,” McCutchen said.

Of course, the “buzz” around the Pirates that Bednar described is not all driven from the decade-old nostalgia overload created by the reunion of McCutchen, Burnett and Martin.

The Pirates are 4-2 and coming off a surprising three-game sweep of the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park.

For the Pirates, 156 games remain to be played. A final verdict on this team won’t be made for months. But within the team’s clubhouse, self-assurance is beginning to exist where it largely hasn’t for some time.

“All the guys that got their feet wet last year and then adding some veterans here today, it’s that confidence,” Bednar said. “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.”