Tagged: Josh Bard

A Pink Slip One Day A New Job The Other

 Congrats to Jordan for guessing that Yogi Berra, Bob Feller, Hank Greenberg, Pee Wee Reese, Stan Musial, Ted Williams, Warren Span, and Phil Rizzuto all left the MLB for World War II. The only other player that I know that left for the war was Dick Adams. Also have you guys stopped reading my blog or am I just overreacting. I only got four comments on my last  blog! Do some of you guys still think I am on vacation? Please help me not go crazy guys!

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Josh Bard 

The Red Sox today released catcher...

On March 18 Josh Bard got released by the Red Sox. Three days later he signed with the Washington Nationals. This move did not really surprise me believe it or not. When I first heard the news I thought the Red Sox had just signed Bard so he could show people that he could catch Tim Wakefield and so he would not have seven games hanging over his head his whole life. I really did not think Bard would get the backup catcher’s job at all. George  Kottaras is younger and Boston already had him. The job was Bard’s to lose though but Bard did not lose it. George Kottaras stole it from him. That is a hard thing to do, stealing a guys job who almost has it set in stone. Bard did a better job then 2006  but not good enough. Kottaras has caught Charlie Zink, a knuckleballer, the past few seasons in AAA unlike Bard who has only caught a knuckle baller thirteen times in his life. In two games with the Nationals this spring Bard has yet to make an error but has yet to get on base in five at bats. I see Bard as being the Nationals backup catcher behind Jesus Flores meaning Bard will get that $600,000 that his minor league contract promised him. What I do not get is that it took Bard three days to find a new team. Why has Pedro not signed yet? Pedro is a thousand times better then Bard today, yesterday, and in the future. Pedro just go sign with the Astros. I mean they need pitching and they already are the oldest team in baseball. I am getting of subject though.


Joshua David Bard was born on March 30, 1978 in Ithaca, New York. He attended Cherry Creek High School in Englewood, Colorado and attended Texas Tech for college. At Texas Tech he was a two time all-american playing for the Red Raiders. In 1999 he was drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the third round. Bard made his major league debut on August 23, 2002 playing for the Cleveland Indians. His major league debut was one of his best games ever, as he hit a walk off home run. In 2004 he was on the disabled list and then spent most of the season in the minors. In 2005 he was back with the Indians though as backup catcher to Victor Martinez. In January 2006 Bard was traded to Boston along with Coco Crisp and David Riske for Guillermo Mota, Andy Marte, and Kelly Shoppach. He became the backup catcher after John Flaherty retired. Then came “the” seven games. Bard’s job was to catcher knuckleballer, Tim Wakefield. In his first try he gave up three passed balls. Bard ended up having ten balls go by him in his first seven games. A few days latter Bard was traded to the San Diego Padres along with Cla Meredith for Mark Loretta and Doug Mirabelli. Boston was facing the Yankees that day with Tim Wakefield to start so Doug took a jet from San Diego to Boston and then had a police escort get him to Fenway in time. After joining the Padres Bard became one of the best hitters in the Nation League. That season he hit .338 with nine home runs, forty RBI’s, and 78 hits in 93 games. The only problem was he was still a backup this time to baseball legend Mike Piazza. On August 4, 2007 Bard was behind the plate when Barry Bonds stepped into the box. Cla Hensley pitched the ball and Bonds hit his 755th home run of his carer tying Hank Aaron for the all time home run king. In 2008 Bard looking like his old self with his bat. He hit .202 with one home run and 16 RBI’s. However Bard lost playing time due to the Padres trade for Michael Barrett and Bard was hurt towards the end of the season. In October 2008 Bard left the Padres and became a free agent. Which leads us back to where we are today. Bard signed with the Red Sox then got released then got picked up by Washington D.C. Bard really is a true example of a dedicated player through the highs and the lows.

Photo Credits

1- bostonherald.com

2- syracuse.com

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Today’s question is, “Zip Zabel holds the record for most innings by a relief pitcher in one game. How many innings did he pitch when he set that record on June 17, 1915?

Hint- More then 9

Pitchers, Catchers, and the Rest of the Team

Today, Friday the 13th was the first full day of pitchers and catchers camp. It came just in time although it could have been earlier. Today there are two college basketball games, seven hockey games, a golf tournament, four women’s basketball games, and the 2009 Rookie Challenge. Some could argue that today is the loneliest day in the history of sports. It would be the loneliest day in sports if the NBA Rookie Challenge wasn’t today at nine P.M. eastern. I’m getting off track though. I know that all the first few days of pitchers and catchers camp is just conditioning, stretching, and throwing the ball around. The real work doesn’t start until Monday when position players report to camp. The only problem is Kevin Youkillis and Chris Carter will not arrive at camp . . . because they are already there. I think it would be kind of boring to be the only two position players (besides catchers) to be there. Like all of the drills would be mostly related to the pitchers and catchers. I’m sure they have someone else training Youk and Carter though. Everyone seems healthy or better. It looks like Brad Penny and Jon Smoltz or doing great but Mike Lowell might need a little extra time maybe till the end of spring training but he should be able to practice Monday. Josh Beckett is also looking great. When he threw yesterday he seemed like when he had his 2007 form according to reports. Jed Lowrie who got a left wrist sprain and an unknown fracture should also be ready to compete for the starting spot at shortstop. Julio Lugo also will be after recovering from a torn right quad. David Ortiz looks healed and should have a Big Papi type season smacking 40 homers out of the yard. Mark Kotsay looks to be the only Red Sox position player not ready for spring training. He underwent back surgery and looks like he will be ready in May. Another big question for the Red Sox in spring training is will Josh Bard be able to catcher knuckleballer, Tim Wakefield? I think he will. There will be a few rough spots, most of them coming in spring training but I think he will. Sure he stunk last time he tried t catch him but he saw a guy catch a knuckleballer in San Diego with the Padres and that must count for something. Spring Training is where champions are made. Prospects get called up, players meet new teammates, and baseball starts again.

P.S.- Sorry for no pictures extra ones tomorrow.

Pettitte Stays in Pinstripes, While Varitek is do This Week

Andy Pettitte, 36, signed a one year, $5.5 million dollar deal with the Yankees. The deal could be worth up to $12 million dollars if he reaches all of his incentives. Contracts with incentives are the best contracts, you can’t overpay or underpay a player who has incentives in the contract. Pettitte was 14-14 last season with a 4.54 ERA. He also had 158 strikeouts in 33 games, 204 innings pitched. Pettitte played nine seasons with the Yankees before joining the Houston Astros from 2004-2006 and then went back to the Yankees after the 2006 season. The Yankees rotation is now set to be C.C. Sabathia, A.J. Burnett, Chein-Ming Wang, Pettitte, and then Joba Chamberlain. I think Phil Hughes should be the fifth starter and not Joba. Joba went 3-1 this season as a starter. Joba needs to stay in the bullpen so in a few years when Mariano Rivera retires Joba can become the closer, but I am getting off track. In order for Pettitte to come back on to the roster the Yankees designated Chase Wright for assignment. Wright went 10-3 this season at Double-A and Triple-A

Andy Pettitte

The Red Sox have set a Friday deadline for Jason Varitek. The deal would pay him a base salary of $5 million dollars for 2009 and a club option for 2010 worth $5 million dollars. if he doesn’t make his mind up by Friday Boston would likely trade for a younger catcher, maybe Jarrod Saltamacchia (that was a mouthful), of the Texas Rangers or Miguel Montero, of the Arizona Diamondbacks. Varitek will turn 37 in April. Last season he batted .220, with 13 home runs, and 43 RBI’s. He was backup to Joe Mauer of the Twins in the 2008 All-Star Game , his third all-star game, at Yankee Stadium and caught Jon Lester’s no-hitter.  Varitek will probably start this season and will have Josh Bard or a young catcher as his backup this season and in 2010 will mentor a young catcher. It is also possible that Boston wants a young catcher to catch knuckleballer Tim Wakefield. That is unlikely though because Wakefield is close to retirement. I hope Varitek comes back tomorrow! 


Jason Varitek gives Alex Rodriguez a face full of catcher's mitt, setting off a benches-clearing incident July 24.

I love this picture.

Also I just noticed that in past entries “Varitek” is spelt “Varitex.” Sorry.


Progress With Varitex

First- Manny and the Dodgers are still just talking.

Second- Carlos Zambrano has to get LASIK eye surgery on his right eye.
Third- Tom Glavine threw of the mound for the first time since shoulder and elbow surgery. Glavine, a free agent, is a low risk high reward player. I think he could come to Boston because of that and his long time teammate, Jon Smoltz signed with the Red Sox. More on that soon.
Third- After the San Diego Padres signed David Eckstein the Texas Rangers want Omar Vizquel.
Forth- Just a quick shout out to got milb? and District Boy who made my link list.
Jason Varitex wants to stay in Boston and the Red Sox want him back. Jason Varitex meet with Red Sox owner John Henry, The meeting was requested by Varitex. They spoke one on one for 90 minutes. Varitex said that the meeting was “okay” as he put it. Varitex could have been lying because maybe he didn’t want the media to know about something. Henry had no comment. They meeting was just Henry and Varitex so that means Scott Boras, Teo Epstein, or any one else. Varitex, a switch hitter, turns 37 in April. Varitex hit .220, with 13 home runs, and drove in 43. He also threw out 16 runners and caught Jon Lester’s no hitter. Varitex managed to make the all-star game last season as the back up catcher. The Red Sox signed catcher Josh Bard this month. They also let knuckle ball catcher, Kevin Cash leave. Cash then signed with the New York Yankees. Varitex has been with the Red Sox for twelve seasons. Derek Lowe, who recently signed with the Atlanta Braves, and Varitex were traded from the Seattle Mariners to the Red Sox in 1997. In 2002 Varitex caught Derek Lowe’s no hitter. Both had great seasons with the Red Sox. I hope Varitex comes back to Boston. I mean what other catcher has caught four no hitters? No one. Yes, he is getting old and he had a down year last season but he is a Red Sox legend. The city of Boston loves Varitex. Having Varitex go would be like Johnny Damon going to the Yankees. Okay, that was a little to dramatic. So Mr. Varitex if your reading this right now come back to Boston.
Clockwise from top left) Jason Varitek has been behind the plate for gems by Hideo Nomo, Derek Lowe, Clay Buchholz and now Jon Lester.


Top Left- Hideo Nomo’s no hitter in 2001.

Top Right- Derek Lowe’s no hitter in 2002.

Bottom Right- Clay Buchholz’s no hitter in 2007.

Bottom Left- Jon Lester’s no hitter in 2008.





Jason Varitek gives Alex Rodriguez a face full of catcher's mitt, setting off a benches-clearing incident July 24.

Varitex stands up for the Red Sox, I mean no glove no love.

Brad Penny & Josh Bard

First- Here is the link to the salaries that I used for the roster game. try it if you want, it is kinda fun.
It only has the salaries from the start of the season, so now Masterson or Price.
Second- My Celtics got back on track by kicking the Sacramento King‘s but.
The Boston Herald is reporting that the Red Sox have reportedly reach a deal with starter Brad Penny and catcher Josh Bard. Penny’s deal is worth a base salary of five million dollars plus bonuses. Penny is a nine year major league veteran. Penny has played all nine years in the N.L. with the Florida Marlins and Los Angeles Dodgers. He was injured most of the season last year making only 17 starts with six wins and nine losses. With the exception of 2008 Penny’s stats are better then A.J. Burnett’s who recently signed with the New York Yankees, the Red Sox rivals. In 2007 Penny had 16 wins while Burnett had ten wins and eight loses. Penny will be the fifth or forth man in the rotation. Clay Buchholz, Justin Masterson, and Michael Bowden where also in the running for the fifth man in the rotation. I think Clay, Masterson, and Bowden will still compete for the rotation in case Penny gets injured. Masterson will probably stay in the bullpen now, while Clay could start the season in the bullpen to see how he does back at the major league level. Bowden will probably stay in AAA for half the season then move to the majors in the summer.
Josh Bard played seven games for the Red Sox in 2006 trying to catch knuckle baller, Tim Wakefield, allowing ten pass balls. Bard must have learned to catch a knuckle ball because I don’t think he would be back here unless he knows how to catch Wakefield. Bard’s contract is worth 1.6 million with a non-guaranteed major league deal. Bard has played seven major league seasons with the Cleveland Indians, Boston Red Sox, and San Diego Padres. He is 30 years old, with 28 carer home runs and a .265 carer batting average. He had one home run and 36 hits, in 57 games with the Padres this year. Bard has been to the post season only once where he went one for seven.
Overall I like both moves by the Red Sox, mostly the Penny deal.