Daniel Bard, once lost to the yips, officially retires after an inspiring comeback with the Rockies. Here’s a look at his rare return from baseball’s toughest mental hurdle.
Daniel Bard Didn’t Just Beat the Odds—He Flat-Out Rewrote the Script
If you’re a fan of baseball’s untold battles—the ones that happen between the ears—Daniel Bard’s story hits different. On Sunday, the 39-year-old righty officially called it a career, closing the book on one of the most improbable comebacks in modern baseball.
The ending may have come quietly—he last pitched in Triple-A Tacoma—but the journey? Absolutely unforgettable.
From Red Sox Star to Baseball Vanishing Act
Bard was a flamethrowing phenom when he debuted with the Red Sox back in 2009. For three seasons, he was a reliable bullpen weapon, touching triple digits and looking like Boston’s future closer.
Then came 2012.
In a move that’s now viewed as a cautionary tale, the Red Sox tried converting Bard into a starter. It backfired—hard. He walked 43 batters in just under 60 innings, posted a 6.22 ERA, and looked like a completely different pitcher.
By 2013, Bard was out of the majors.
Then it got even worse.
The Yips: Baseball’s Silent Monster
Baseball fans throw around the word “yips” like it’s a quirky slump. But for players like Bard, it was more like a full-blown career crisis. He literally couldn’t throw strikes.
In 2014, pitching in Single-A, Bard walked nine batters and hit seven… in one outing. In later years with minor league clubs from St. Louis and the Mets, he couldn’t string together anything close to usable innings. He wasn’t just ineffective—he was unpitchable.
By 2018, Bard had retired. It looked like that was it.
Then Came the Comeback No One Saw Coming
In February 2020—after two years out of the game—Bard threw for scouts, almost on a whim. The Rockies liked what they saw and gave him a minor league deal. What followed was pure baseball magic.
On July 25, 2020, Bard returned to the big leagues. He tossed 1.1 scoreless innings. Just getting back to the mound would’ve been enough. But Bard didn’t stop there.
Over the next four seasons with Colorado, Bard pitched to a 3.83 ERA, racked up 61 saves, and struck out more than a batter per inning. At Coors Field, no less.
Talk about turning the yips into a punchline.
The Final Chapter in Tacoma
Bard’s last few appearances came this season with the Mariners’ Triple-A team in Tacoma, where he gave up just two runs across 5.2 innings. But after all he’d been through—and achieved—it felt like the right time to walk away.
And he did, on his own terms.
A Legacy Bigger Than Stats
Let’s be real—baseball is full of guys who bounce between the majors and minors. But Bard’s comeback wasn’t just about velocity or command. It was about mental strength, persistence, and refusing to let failure define him.
Most pitchers who lose it like Bard did? They don’t come back. Period.
That he did—and pitched at a high level again—is borderline legendary.
Daniel Bard’s Career Snapshot:
- MLB Debut: 2009 with Boston
- Major Setback: The yips derailed his career by 2013
- Retirement #1: 2018
- Comeback: Returned with Rockies in 2020 after 7-year MLB absence
- Career ERA with Colorado: 3.83
- Saves: 61
- Retirement #2: July 2025
Final Word
Daniel Bard’s career is a reminder that baseball isn’t just about stats. It’s about battles—internal and external—and having the guts to keep showing up.
He didn’t just survive the yips. He owned them.
So here’s to Bard, one of the grittiest comeback stories the game’s ever seen.
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