Bow Out or Bard Out?

by the red head on Apr 21, 2006 10:33 AM EDT

I know I have been quite vocal about the trade that let Doug M go out to San Diego, so it is only fair that I continue that trend.

I know the lack of quality playing by Wily Mo in right is hampering some of the action that is recorded behind Wakefield, but come on, Bard is not a knuckleball catcher. Everyone keeps stating "he'll come around." When? When will he come around?

Yes, the team looks fantastic. Yes, they're winning games, but realistically, if you know you're going to have trouble every fifth day...

Maybe it's time to see what someone else can do. My two cents.

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Compare Bard's learning curve to Belli's

Full credit to SoSH for the following numbers about passed balls (PB). Bard isn't so terrible when compared to Doug Mirabelli when he started:

In 2001, Mirabelli caught Wakefield three times. There were three PB over these appearances.

In 2002, Wake was in the rotation for 13 games. Belli allowed 12 PB. In one game, he allowed 5.

So far this year, Josh Bard has caught Wake four times, with six PB.

I may be alone in this, but I think Bard is a smart young catcher, who will - ha ha - catch on soon enough. Besides, with reasonable run support, which you would expect once Crisp returns (and Nixon's in against a RHP), Wake would have won two more games.

by britsoxfan on Apr 21, 2006 10:49 AM EDT reply actions

Yes, but what happened...

in 2003, 2004, 2005? I'm sure we can all say that over the next three or four seasons Bard will come around, but are you willing to take a chance at not winning the pennant because of him.

And as for Wily Mo... how about Wily No Mo! Can we please find a blind guy off the street that can play right better than he?

I'm Sorry, yes, I'm cynical. But, I'm also a realist. In September when everyone is screaming "we need to win these three to get to the playoffs" one should remember, we could have won two back in April and not be in the position they will be in September.

Dennis

The Red Head

by the red head on Apr 21, 2006 3:51 PM EDT reply actions

I absolutely understand what you're saying:

about whether we can wait for Bard to learn the knuckleball. I don't know, but I think the Red Sox have larger problems that they need to address first, notably the disintegration of Wells and the light hitting in the lower order.

Re your question about the 03, 04 and 05 seasons: apologies for going back to passed balls, but Mirabelli allowed 14, 15 and 6 PBs (and I'm fairly sure that Belli didn't catch Wakefield every appearance). So - not terrible, but not infallible.

I'm not going to labour the point, because it's not clear cut, but I'm not so certain that Mirabelli was such a stud. I do believe that the balance of Mirabelli and Graffanino & Bellhorn vs Bard and Loretta marginally favours the 2006 rotation.

by britsoxfan on Apr 21, 2006 5:03 PM EDT reply actions

Hmmm, with four more passed balls last night

I think it's time I admit I might be wrong to lobby for keeping Bard in the lineup.

I still like Bard, but the Red Sox won't be able to tolerate this much longer.

by britsoxfan on Apr 27, 2006 4:23 AM EDT reply actions

It's true, time is running out for Bard

If Bard can limit passed balls to one or two per game, that may be tolerable for the Sox. Four or more is unacceptable on a regular basis.

I'm pulling for Bard. I'm sure he's working hard at it.

"You know you're having a bad day when the fifth inning rolls around and they drag the warning track." - Mike Flanagan, Baltimore Orioles pitcher, 1992.

by SoxDevil on Apr 27, 2006 8:46 AM EDT reply actions