Daniel Bard

Daniel Paul Bard (born June 25, 1985) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Colorado Rockies of Major League Baseball (MLB). He previously played for the Boston Red Sox from 2009 to 2013. In 2011, Bard set a Red Sox team record with 25 consecutive scoreless appearances. His highest velocity pitch was 102 miles per hour (164 km/h).[1] In subsequent years, Bard experienced a loss of control over his pitches, derailing his playing career. After pitching in only two major league games during 2013, he played for several minor league teams before retiring in 2017 to become a player mentor. In 2020, Bard returned as a player after regaining his control, earned a spot on the Rockies' MLB roster, and went on to win the National League Comeback Player of the Year Award.

Daniel Bard
Bard with the Boston Red Sox
Colorado Rockies – No. 52
Pitcher
Born: (1985-06-25) June 25, 1985
Houston, Texas
Bats: Right Throws: Right
MLB debut
May 13, 2009, for the Boston Red Sox
MLB statistics
(through 2020)
Win–loss record14–21
Earned run average3.67
Strikeouts279
Teams
Career highlights and awards

College career

At the midpoint of the 2004 season, Baseball America named Bard the top freshman pitcher in the U.S., and gave him Freshman All-America honors. For his season's work, Bard was named to the Baseball America All-Freshman second team, and was named a Freshman All-American by Collegiate Baseball. He was Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) freshman of the year, and earned first-team all-conference honors. In 16 games pitched, Bard was 8–4 with a 3.88 earned run average (ERA); his eight wins tied the North Carolina Tar Heels baseball freshman record.

For the 2005 season, Bard was named preseason first-team All-America by Baseball America and was named preseason third-team All-America by Collegiate Baseball and by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association. Bard went 7–5 with a 4.22 ERA in 16 starts. and was third in the ACC in opponents' batting average at .219. He was named to the Roger Clemens Award watch list.

Bard was a second-team summer All-American selection in the 2005 Cape Cod League after a successful summer with the Wareham Gatemen, where he led the league in innings pitched and strikeouts, while finishing third in ERA. Bard and fellow North Carolina left-hander Andrew Miller were rated the top two prospects in the Cape Cod League.[2] Bard and Miller led North Carolina to the College World Series, where they lost to Oregon State, two games to one.[3] He finished his junior year with a 9–4 record and a 3.64 ERA in 17 starts. He earned ACC pitcher of the week honors twice during the 2006 season.

Professional career

Boston Red Sox

On June 6, 2006, Bard was selected in the first round (28th overall) of the 2006 MLB draft by the Boston Red Sox. On September 4, Bard signed with the team. He admitted he had enrolled in classes at the University of North Carolina as a backup plan in case a deal with the Red Sox was not finalized in time.[4][5] Bard had been previously selected in the 20th round with the 604th overall selection out of high school by the New York Yankees in the 2003 MLB draft, but did not sign.

Minor leagues

Drafted as a starting pitcher, Bard spent the 2007 season in the same role, starting all 22 of his appearances with the Greenville Drive and Lancaster JetHawks. Unfortunately for Bard, the results were disastrous: He posted a 7.05 ERA between the two levels, and walked 78 batters in ​75 1⁄3 innings pitched. Because of the poor success starting, at the end of the 2007 season he was moved into the bullpen to pitch as a reliever.[6] While pitching out of the bullpen for the Honolulu Sharks of the Hawaii Winter Baseball league, Bard put up a 1.08 ERA in 16 appearances. His control remained an issue, but with some improvement.

Remaining in the bullpen during 2008, Bard split time between the Greenville Drive and Portland Sea Dogs. He posted a 1.51 ERA and had 107 strikeouts in ​77 2⁄3 innings of work, and was named the 2008 Minor League Pitcher of the Year by the Red Sox.

Bard began the 2009 season with the Triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox. He faced 58 batters in 16 innings, giving up six hits and striking out 29. Of those six hits, two were home runs.

2009

On May 10, 2009, Red Sox pitcher Javier López was designated for assignment, and Bard was called up from Triple-A.[7] On May 13, 2009, he made his major-league debut against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, pitching two scoreless innings in an 8–4 loss.

Bard made his debut at Fenway Park on May 20, against the Toronto Blue Jays in the 8th inning. He gave up two hits on the first two pitches thrown, eventually giving up a run. He pitched ​2⁄3 of an inning before being replaced by left-hander Hideki Okajima after the second out, leaving two runners on base. He recorded his first career save in the 13th inning of a 5–2 victory against the Philadelphia Phillies. Although he gave up a walk and hit a batter, Bard managed to strike out the side to clinch the save. Bard recorded his first major league win on August 26, against the Chicago White Sox after pitching a scoreless inning and a third in the eight and ninth followed by a walk off home run by David Ortiz.

Bard was a post-season correspondent for ESPN.[8]

2010

Bard was the primary setup man in the bullpen once again. He appeared in 73 games, posted a 1.93 ERA and 1.00 WHIP on the season, with 76 strikeouts.

2011

Bard set the club record with 25 consecutive scoreless appearances, running from May 27 to July 31. The previous record was held by Ugueth Urbina.[9]

Bard's season, like that of his team, came to a crushing end. After dazzling for most of 2011, Bard had a terrible last month of the year: He finished September 0–4 with a 10.64 ERA, issuing more walks (nine) than he had in the previous three months combined (eight). Based on win probability added, the player most responsible for Boston's collapse was Bard."[10]

2012

The Red Sox made Bard a starting pitcher for 2012. He started the season 5–6 with a 5.24 ERA, striking out 34 while walking 37 and hitting eight batters. On June 5, 2012, Bard was optioned to AAA Pawtucket. In his last start prior to his demotion, he lasted 1.2 innings against the Toronto Blue Jays, giving up five runs, six walks, and hitting two batters.[11] Bard continued to struggle in AAA, surrendering 15 walks and posting a 7.08 ERA in ​20 1⁄3 innings through the end of July.[12] Bard was recalled on August 30 when Zach Stewart was optioned out.[13]

2013

Bard started the 2013 season in the team's Double-A affiliate in Portland. He was recalled on April 23 and made two appearances, allowing one earned run in a total of one inning pitched; this would be his final major league appearances for Boston. On April 28, he was optioned back to Portland to make room for returning reliever Joel Hanrahan.[14] He was designated for assignment on September 1.[15]

Chicago Cubs

On September 4, 2013, Bard was claimed off waivers by the Chicago Cubs from the Red Sox.[16] He became a free agent on December 2, 2013, after being non-tendered by the Cubs.

Texas Rangers

On January 31, 2014, Bard signed with the Texas Rangers.[17] He inexplicably lost command of his pitches, walking nine and hitting seven batters while recording two outs in a stint for the Rangers' Single-A club.[18] On June 19, 2014, Bard was released by the Rangers.[19]

Second stint with Cubs

The Chicago Cubs signed Bard to a minor-league deal on January 18, 2015. He did not appear in any games during the 2015 season. Bard became a free agent after the 2015 season.

St. Louis Cardinals

On January 11, 2016, Bard signed a minor league deal with the Pittsburgh Pirates. After failing to make a minor league appearance, Bard was released on May 14, 2016.[20] On June 6, 2016, Bard signed a minor league deal with the St. Louis Cardinals.[21] He made eight minor league appearances for the Palm Beach Cardinals during the 2016 season, allowing eight earned runs in three innings pitched. He then made 10 appearances for the Springfield Cardinals in 2017, allowing 10 earned runs in ​8 2⁄3 innings. He was released on May 18, 2017.[22]

New York Mets

On June 11, 2017, Bard signed a minor league deal with the New York Mets.[23] He made a single appearance with the GCL Mets, allowing four earned runs in two-thirds of an inning.

Bard retired on October 3, 2017.[24] He was hired by the Arizona Diamondbacks on February 1, 2018, to serve as a franchise player mentor.[25]

Colorado Rockies

In February 2020, Bard threw for scouts, and announced he was going to attempt a comeback. On February 22, 2020, Bard signed a minor league deal with the Colorado Rockies, and was subsequently assigned to their Triple-A team, the Albuquerque Isotopes.[26] On July 17, 2020, it was announced that Bard would have his contract selected to the 40-man roster by the Rockies in advance of Opening Day.[27] His contract was selected the following day. On July 25, 2020, Bard played in his first MLB game since 2013, pitching ​1 1⁄3 scoreless innings in relief. He was credited with the win, his first since May 29, 2012.[28] On August 11, 2020, he was credited with the save, his first since 2011.[29] Bard had his best pitching output since 2011, as he recorded 6 saves in ​24 2⁄3 innings. He also struck out 27 with just 10 walks as he bettered his control. He was named the NL Comeback Player of the Year[30] and received the Tony Conigliaro Award.[31]

Pitching style

As of 2012, Bard threw four pitches. About half of his pitches thrown were four-seam fastballs in the range of 92–96 mph. He also featured a two-seam fastball at 93–97 miles per hour (150–156 km/h), slider at 79–83 miles per hour (127–134 km/h), and changeup at 86–89 miles per hour (138–143 km/h). He could touch and break 100 miles per hour (160 km/h) with the two-seamer. Bard's changeup was used almost exclusively against left-handed hitters. He used the slider against lefties as well, but much more so against right-handers.[32] Bard's velocity on all of his pitch types dipped several miles per hour in 2012, presumably as a result of his conversion from a relief pitcher to a starter. Bard said he was mildly surprised, but not alarmed by the drop: "I knew there’d be somewhat of a drop-off, velocity-wise, when I went to starting. I didn’t think it would be quite this big ... When I’m 93, 94, they’re just as late as they were on that 97. I think it’s the way I’ve been able to set it up. If I can just establish strike one a little more consistently, the velocity can be whatever it wants to be."[33]

Personal life

His brother, Luke, played college baseball at Georgia Tech and was drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the first round of the 2012 Major League Baseball Draft.[34][35][36] Luke Bard made his major league debut for the Los Angeles Angels on March 31, 2018.[37]

His cousin John Andreoli is also a professional baseball player;[38] he made his major league debut for the Seattle Mariners on May 23, 2018.[39]

References
  1. "Player Card: Danial Bard".
  2. "Former Wareham Fire-Baller Daniel Bard Prepares For Red Sox Starting Rotation". capecodbaseball.org. Retrieved September 25, 2019.
  3. ESPN: Underdog Oregon State wins College World Series
  4. The Official Site of The Boston Red Sox: Official Info: Red Sox sign right-hander Daniel Bard, team's second overall pick in 2006 First-Year Player Draft
  5. The Official Site of The Boston Red Sox: News: First-round pick Bard signs with Sox
  6. Benjamin, Amalie (May 9, 2008). "Bard pens a comeback story". The Boston Globe.
  7. The Official Site of The Boston Red Sox: Official Info: Red Sox select right-handed pitcher Daniel Bard to active roster
  8. Red Sox reliever Daniel Bard chronicles his playoff preparations - ESPN Boston
  9. Speier, Alex (July 20, 2011). "Miller, Ellsbury help Sox cook O's". WEEI. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved May 23, 2012.
  10. Lundblad, Jeremy (September 29, 2011). "Boston Red Sox ugly September shows by the numbers". ESPN.com. Retrieved May 23, 2012.
  11. Boston Red Sox Send Daniel Bard to Minor Leagues
  12. "Daniel Bard Minor League Statistics & History - Baseball-Reference.com". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved July 25, 2012.
  13. "Red Sox Roster & Staff – Transactions". MLB.com. August 2012. Retrieved March 6, 2020.
  14. Bradford, Rob (April 28, 2013). "Daniel Bard headed back to minors to make room for Joel Hanrahan". WEEI-FM. Retrieved April 28, 2013.
  15. "Red Sox Roster & Staff – Transactions". MLB.com. September 2013. Retrieved March 6, 2020.
  16. "Daniel Bard claimed off waivers by Chicago Cubs". ESPN. September 6, 2013. Retrieved November 6, 2013.
  17. Durrett, Richard (January 31, 2014). "Rangers near deal with Daniel Bard". ESPN.com. Retrieved January 31, 2014.
  18. Speier, Alex (March 14, 2016). "After losing control, Daniel Bard regains it". The Boston Globe. Retrieved June 7, 2016.
  19. Fraley, Gerry (June 19, 2014). "Texas Rangers release Daniel Bard". The Dallas Morning News. Archived from the original on June 21, 2014.
  20. http://www.todaysknuckleball.com/knuckleball-news/daniel-bard-pirates/
  21. MCaffrey, Jen (June 6, 2016). "St. Louis Cardinals sign former Red Sox pitcher Daniel Bard to minor-league deal". MassLive.com. Retrieved June 7, 2016.
  22. http://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/minor-league-transactions-may-13-19/#4bfa0Z1ZFAm0bOlx.97
  23. "Mets Roster & Staff – Transactions". MLB.com. June 2017.
  24. "Daniel Bard – Stats, Highlights, Bio". MiLB.com. Retrieved March 6, 2020.
  25. Daniel Bard, ex-Boston Red Sox RHP, joins Diamondbacks as player mentor; Jonny Gomes to be rookie ball hitting coach. Retrieved April 2, 2018.
  26. "Daniel Bard Stats, Fantasy & News". MLB.com. Retrieved March 6, 2020.
  27. Jeff Todd (July 17, 2020). "Rockies To Select Contracts Of Daniel Bard, Matt Kemp, Chris Owings". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved July 18, 2020.
  28. Harding, Thomas (July 25, 2020). "Out 7 years with yips, pitcher wins MLB return". MLB.com. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
  29. Thomas Harding (August 11, 2020). "Rox hold off D-backs after late outburst". MLB.com. Retrieved August 12, 2020.
  30. https://www.mlb.com/news/comeback-player-of-the-year-mlb-2020
  31. Green, Dave (December 21, 2020). "Rockies reliever Daniel Bard wins Tony Conigliaro Award". NBC Sports. Retrieved December 23, 2020.
  32. "Brooks Baseball · Home of the PitchFX Tool - Player Card: Daniel Bard". Brooks Baseball. Retrieved May 23, 2012.
  33. Lauber, Scott (May 19, 2012). "Where has Danny Bard's fastball gone? — plus, links". Boston Herald. Retrieved May 23, 2012.
  34. Athlete of the week: Bard siblings are all taking their turn at the plate
  35. Georgia Tech's Bard selected 42nd overall
  36. "Luke Bard Minor League Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference.com. 2017. Retrieved January 5, 2018.
  37. "Luke Bard". Retrosheet. Retrieved July 18, 2020.
  38. "Shrewsbury's Andreoli hot at the plate and on the bases for the Daytona Cubs". The Boston Globe. July 11, 2012. Retrieved January 30, 2017.
  39. "John Andreoli". Retrosheet. Retrieved July 18, 2020.

Further reading
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