Bard is back! (on the Rockies, not the Red Sox)

donutogre

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Jul 20, 2005
3,193
Philadelphia
7.2 ip 9h 3r 3er 0hb 0bb 9k, 3.52era 1.17whip
Most remarkable thing about this by far is the zero walks (and zero HBP).

I was about to start quibbling that a 3.52ERA isn't all that good or something, but the dude hasn't pitched in the bigs since 2013. I am now gonna shut the fuck up and continue cheering for Mr. Bard.
 

Pitt the Elder

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Sep 7, 2013
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Most remarkable thing about this by far is the zero walks (and zero HBP).

I was about to start quibbling that a 3.52ERA isn't all that good or something, but the dude hasn't pitched in the bigs since 2013. I am now gonna shut the fuck up and continue cheering for Mr. Bard.
Hi pitched again last night, 1h 0bb 2k. Season line is now 8.2 ip 10h 3r 3er 0hb 0bb 11k, 3.12era 1.12whip. For what it's worth, his FIP is 0.49, xFIP is 1.98, and xERA is 3.33. Four-seamer is averaging 96.6, his SwSt% is 10.5% (exactly his career average), and his Whiff % is 21.9% (MLB average is 24.4%). Objectively, this is the best stretch of games he's pitched in the MLB (or any level?) since August 2011.
 

DeadlySplitter

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Oct 20, 2015
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Bard got a one-batter save after the Rockies pen nearly imploded a 6 run lead (which they just built in the bottom of the 8th) in one inning.
 

Pitt the Elder

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Pretty incredible - the D-Backs scored 5 runs in the top of the 9th to cut the Rockies lead to 8-7 when Bard was called in with 2 outs and runners on first and third. He struck out Stephen Vogt with a slider that was absolute paint. Only the 6th save of his career.

Edit:. With that one batter, Bard's line on the year is a round 9 ip 10h 3r 3er 0hb 0bb 12k, 3.00era 1.11whip
 

Pitt the Elder

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Bard got a one-batter save after the Rockies pen nearly imploded a 6 run lead (which they just built in the bottom of the 8th) in one inning.
Ha, looks like we both tuned in for that one. Bard's story is officially the only thing I'm really excited about this season.
 

jon abbey

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Jul 15, 2005
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That whole AB was sick, the only two balls were sliders that were pretty much in the same place as the one the ump finally called for a strike to end the game, and he was sitting 98 in between.
 

santadevil

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I assume Bard will win Comeback Player of the Year, right?

Not sure who else would be in the running, as I didn't follow to closely until the playoffs
 

Red(s)HawksFan

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section15

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Mar 23, 2007
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Bradford, MA and section 15
Spring training, 2007. In Fort Myers, we had Daniel Bard and Justin Masterson as guests at the BoSox Club barbecue at the training facility.

Glenn Geffner tried, and fumbled in an interview with the two pitchers, and in essence, Masterson took over the interview by just conversing with Dan, relaxing him and discussing the Cape league and wooden bats. Goose Gregson then came up and accurately described the not-too-distant future for the two guys. It was a fun night and at those get-togethers, you learn a lot about the future, AND, you see their personalities. Bard was shy, almost afraid, while Masterson was the epitome of confidence and ease.

A couple years before that, at the same annual ritual, Dustin Pedroia was unveiled to the Red Sox fandom there. He seemed to be scared, and Jerry Trupiano - a GREAT interviewer - drew him out of his shell. When his interview was finished, he walked up the aisle and asked me in a whisper "how'd I do?" I said "Great! Welcome to Boston!"
 

Flynn4ever

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This Speier tweet includes a great video of Bard's comeback. Worth a watch for everyone on this board:

View: https://twitter.com/alexspeier/status/1319670042456444930?s=20


On a personal note, I'd like to say that, as I put a few more years behind me, I'm finding myself cheering more for individual players and less for the laundry. Bard is one of those guys and I'm super thrilled to see him make this comeback.
I feel similarly. I still root for the laundry, but I feel I have a soft spot for every non-asshole who ever wore the laundry. How could I have been happy that the Dodgers won the series? Mookie and JoKe. I applauded Manny's home run in his return to Fenway with the Dodgers (from the bleachers, that was lonely,) and turned my back on Papelbon when he choked Bryce Harper. It's like they're my children now (and I am old enough to be a father to current players.)