Forgive me, if you will, a Ray Babbit moment:98.
97.
98.
99.
99.
99.
98.
92.
99.
99.
Another of the Sox's preternatural talents, Bard employs one of the best fastballs in the majors—even if it’s sometimes as straight as Yawkey Way—coupled with a very impressive curve ball.
Although I understand one’s temptation to assume the above series of cardinal numbers is a back-of-the-napkin calculation of the Yankees’ and Ray’s magic numbers for clinching a playoff birth, they are, upon closer inspection, the speed, measured in miles-per-hour, of Danield Bard’s last 10 fastballs. Eight of which he threw for strikes. Not. Bad.
Another of the Sox's preternatural talents, Bard employs one of the best fastballs in the majors—even if it’s sometimes as straight as Yawkey Way—coupled with a very impressive curve ball.
After the Sox drafted him 28th overall in 2006, the young flamethrower struggled through his first season in professional ball, going 3-7, with a 7.08 ERA between Class A and Class High A. He also walked 78 batters in 75 innings, while striking out a Delcarmen-esque 47. Which goes a long way in explaining why the front office decided the bullpen was probably his natural habitat. The move paid off, almost immediately. Following a much-needed intervention by team shrink Bob Tewksbury, Bard posted an ERA of 1.78 in 38 games, logged between Class A and AA, notching 89 strikeouts to go with only 23 walks in 65.2 innings.
Since making it to the show, Bard's racked up 85 strike outs in 66 scant innings, while walking 26. The kid's come a long way since Greenville. I respect that, and his talent. Also, his aw-shucks charm seems to repel every conceivable form of animus. Seriously, the kid sat for engagement photos.
Reasons to Like Him:
He lets his stuff speak for itself. If you told me he has full use of his voice box, I’d believe you, but not without hesitation.
He lets his stuff speak for itself. If you told me he has full use of his voice box, I’d believe you, but not without hesitation.
An easy, effortless delivery.
Triple-digit fastballs are sexy. As are power curves.
He's not against the occasional Tex Message.
He's not Curt Schilling.
Reasons to Hate Him:
After the Yankees drafted him out of high school in 2003, Bard opted for Tar Hell Blue over the pinstripes. Unrequited love.
After the Yankees drafted him out of high school in 2003, Bard opted for Tar Hell Blue over the pinstripes. Unrequited love.
Following Bill Simmons' lead, some Sox fans have started expressing their growing appreciation for the young pitcher through the boorish exclamation, “I've got a Bard-on.”
He looks like a front office intern, not the bullpen’s best arm. I mean, really, cheese that good ought to come with a mullet.
Overall Hate Rating:
2 out of 10. The kid’s got talent, but hasn’t yet figured out the Yankees. If and when he starts to best the Bombers, or puts one in A-Rod's back, I'll react accordingly.
2 out of 10. The kid’s got talent, but hasn’t yet figured out the Yankees. If and when he starts to best the Bombers, or puts one in A-Rod's back, I'll react accordingly.
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