Boston Red Sox: Daniel Bard finally calls it a career

Years after making his last major league appearance with the Boston Red Sox, Daniel Bard has called it a career, ending a tragic baseball story.

There was a time when Daniel Bard looked to be a future closer for the Boston Red Sox. Armed with a high octane fastball, Bard was a strikeout machine, seemingly poised to be the heir to Jonathan Papelbon in the Boston bullpen. Through 2011, he had posted a 2.88 ERA and a 1.056 WHiP, striking out 213 batters with 76 walks in 197 innings.

Not content to leave a good thing alone, the Red Sox made the ill fated decision to put Bard in the rotation for the 2012 campaign. In one of the few things that Bobby Valentine was correct about that year, he attempted to dissuade the front office from such a move, but was overruled. Bard was a disaster, losing his confidence and command as he posted a 6.22 ERA and a 1.736 WHiP in his 5.91 innings. He struck out only 38 batters, but issued 43 walks, as his command disappeared.

Bard would pitch only one more major league inning after that year, Sent back to the minors to try to work through his issues, those command problems got worse. Bard eventually became a minor league vagabond, with five different teams all looking to bring him back to the player he once was. Alas, that was not to be, as Bard has decided to hang up his cleats, retiring at 32 years old.

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His final outing as a professional was about as far from his days of success on the Red Sox. He toiled away in the Gulf Coast League for the New York Mets, facing players that were literally half his age. Even in that setting, Bard was lost; he allowed four runs while recording two outs. While both outs were via the strikeout, Bard also walked five batter, hit two others, and threw three wild pitches. Those two strikeouts may have been out of fear, like John Kruk facing Randy Johnson in the All Star Game.

In a way, that Bard was still willing to go to the GCL to work his way back speaks volumes. He was determined to overcome those control issues, going to the lowest levels to find his way. However, it just was not meant to be.

It is unfortunate that this will be the image that is burned into the memory of baseball fans when they look back at Bard. Much like how Steve Blass and Rick Ankiel are remembered for baseballs sailing everywhere but to home plate, Bard will be remembered for what he became. Before that, when everything was right, he appeared ready to be the next great closer, a player who would dominate for years to come.

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Daniel Bard was supposed to be in his prime right now, established as the Boston Red Sox closer. Instead, he lost his ability to throw strikes, leading to his early retirement.