Josh Bard

From BR Bullpen

Joshua David Bard

Bats Both, Throws Right
Height 6' 3", Weight 215 lb.
High School Cherry Creek High School
School Texas Tech University
Debut August 23, 2002
Born March 30, 1978 in Ithaca, NY USA

[edit] Biographical Information

Acquired by the Boston Red Sox in 2006, Josh Bard failed as a catcher for knuckleball pitcher Tim Wakefield, having 10 passed balls in 5 games. He was traded away in return for Doug Mirabelli, Wakefield's previous personal catcher. Bard was the top US hitter in the 1996 World Junior Championship, batting .462 and slugging .846 while splitting time with Dane Sardinha. He edged Yosvani Peraza as the tourney's All-Star catcher. Bard had hit .333/.357/.519 as the catcher for the USA national team in the 1998 Baseball World Cup. After being part of the last amateur Team USA in the World Cup, he was then a member of the first professional Team USA in a World Cup. He batted .308/.400/.308 in the 2001 Cup, catching when starter Ken Huckaby moved to first base.