Daniel Bard is a former professional baseball player who spent several years in the major leagues. He was born on June 25, 1985, in Charlotte, North Carolina, and attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he played college baseball for the Tar Heels.
Bard was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the first round of the 2006 MLB draft and made his major league debut with the team in 2009. He quickly established himself as a reliable relief pitcher, known for his fastball that regularly reached speeds of over 100 miles per hour.
Over the course of his career, Bard played for several teams, including the Red Sox, the Chicago Cubs, and the Colorado Rockies. He was primarily used as a relief pitcher, although he did make a few starts early in his career.
Despite his early success, Bard struggled with control issues later in his career. In 2012, he was demoted to the minor leagues after posting a 5.30 ERA and walking 43 batters in just 55 innings. He continued to struggle with his command in subsequent seasons, and was eventually released by the Red Sox in 2014.
After a brief stint with the Texas Rangers, Bard took a hiatus from baseball to deal with personal issues. He returned to the game in 2017, signing a minor league contract with the St. Louis Cardinals. However, he struggled to regain his form and was released by the team after just one season.
In 2019, Bard signed with the Rockies and began working with a new pitching coach, Steve Merriman. Under Merriman's guidance, Bard made significant improvements to his mechanics and was able to regain his velocity and control. He made his return to the major leagues in 2020, pitching in 23 games for the Rockies and posting a 3.65 ERA.
Bard's comeback story was one of the feel-good stories of the 2020 season, and he was named the National League Comeback Player of the Year. He continued to pitch for the Rockies in 2021, although he struggled with his control at times and was eventually released by the team in August.
Overall, Bard's career was marked by both success and struggle. He was a dominant relief pitcher early in his career, but his control issues ultimately derailed his progress. However, his perseverance and determination to overcome his struggles and make a comeback in 2020 were a testament to his resilience and love for the game.
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