David Bednar embraces Yankees role after trade, citing a simple ‘wow’ moment in pinstripes

David Bednar said a brief, stark moment — stepping into the Yankees clubhouse and seeing the pinstripes in his locker — helped crystallize the opportunity that came with his trade to New York, and the right-hander has embraced the closer’s role as the club pushes through the pennant race.

The 30-year-old reliever described the instant as a “wow” and said pitching in Yankee Stadium “feels like they’re in it with you on every pitch,” adding that he approaches the ninth inning with an attack mindset and “100 percent convicted in each pitch.” The comments came in a wide-ranging Q&A with New York Post columnist Steve Serby after Bednar, a former Pittsburgh closer, joined the Yankees.

Bednar, nicknamed “The Renegade,” said the closer’s role requires a competitive, one-on-one mentality. “It’s you versus that hitter, and in any given day, it’s who comes out on top,” he said. Asked why he does not fear failure, Bednar replied: “You can’t. If you fear failure I think you’re pitching scared. You always have to be on the attack.”

The former Pirates reliever, who was a 35th-round pick by the Padres in 2016 and converted from a college starter to a professional reliever, said his success comes from throwing all three of his pitches for strikes and attacking hitters regardless of count. He pointed to a streak of 18 consecutive saves in 2023 as an example of the consistency he strives for and emphasized the day-to-day demands of the role. “You can’t get caught up on yesterday good or bad ’cause you have to show up today with the mindset of, ‘Today’s a new day,’” he said.

Bednar acknowledged adversity earlier this season when he was optioned to the minors. He described swallowing his pride, continuing to work and view the demotion as an opportunity to reset. “Keep going, keep grinding. I knew what I was capable of,” he said. The ability to rebound has been central to his path from late-round draftee to major-league closer.

Bednar cited Mariano Rivera and Trevor Hoffman among the closers he admires and said he would relish an anachronistic matchup against Barry Bonds, even if he expected to “go down swinging.” He also reflected on pitching for Team USA in the 2023 World Baseball Classic as an honor and said representing his country “felt that different energy.”

Family and community are recurring themes in Bednar’s remarks. He credited his father for coaching him from tee-ball through high school and called being a three-time Roberto Clemente Award nominee “incredibly proud.” Bednar described his work with Lending Hearts, an organization that brings children and families facing pediatric cancer to the ballpark for a day of activities, as especially meaningful.

Bednar’s Pittsburgh roots remain on display. His walkout song is an ode to the Steelers and his nickname stems from that connection. He discussed favorite Pens, Steelers and Pirates memories, and joked about introducing teammates to local items like Primanti Bros. sandwiches and Iron City beer. He also said fatherhood has been “so rewarding,” noting his son was 10 months old at the time of the interview.

Since arriving in New York, Bednar has spoken of the Yankees’ tradition and the expectation to win. He recalled the moment he first saw pinstripes in his locker and called it “really cool.” Asked whether the Yankees can win a World Series, he said, “Absolutely, there’s no doubt in my mind,” adding that the club shares the same aspirations and talent to do so.

Bednar’s message to fans was straightforward: he will attack hitters and give everything on the mound. Personal goals remain simple and ambitious: a World Series ring. The Yankees signed Bednar to bolster their late-inning repertoire as they press through September, and his mixture of experience, competitiveness and community involvement has given the club a closer who says he is embracing both the pressure and the platform of New York baseball.

As the postseason push continues, Bednar’s focus, he said, will be to take things “one day at a time” and to bring the same conviction to each outing that has defined his climb from a late-round draft pick to a major-league closer.