It feels so long ago at this point, given what has transpired in the last week and a half. But allow me to take you back to April 9th.
The Pirates were up 3-1 over the Detroit Tigers in the top of the ninth inning, and with a chance to seal the game, Pittsburgh called upon the hometown kid to finish the game on the mound.
David Bednar, the team’s back to back All Star closer, had struggled to start the year. He had already blown a few save opportunities and was clearly a little shaky at the moment. Nevertheless, manager Derek Shelton sent him out there to close the game, and with a multi-run lead in hand, Shelton was confident Bednar could pull through.
He didn’t.
Bednar blew the game, allowing 4 runs to the Tigers before being pulled, and the Pirates couldn’t mount the comeback, losing 5-3. Fans booed Bednar as he struggled with command and the strike zone.
After the game, with the local press surrounding Bednar, teammate Rowdy Tellez stepped in to say a few words before any member of the media could say anything.
Tellez came to the defense of his teammate Bednar, but the general message of his was that he did not appreciate fanbase booing Bednar after his third blown save of the season.
“We don’t do that out here,” became the standout quote from his statement, and this became something incredibly divisive to Pirates fans.
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