Daniel Bard’s journey through baseball has had more than its fair share of twists and turns.
A promising young reliever with a blazing fastball, Bard was a key cog in the Red Sox bullpen in 2010 and 2011. But severe control issues derailed his career, prompting Boston to designate him for assignment in 2013.
Bard bounced around with a number of organizations before opting to retire in 2017. After two years as a mental skills instructor with the Diamondbacks, Bard orchestrated a late-career renaissance with the Rockies in 2020.
The 2020 Comeback Player of the Year has checked off a number of milestones during this second chapter of his up-and-down career, including returning to the mound this season after landing on the IL due to anxiety.