On the TunneySide of Sports Aug 17, 2020 #809 Up next… True Grit!
After further review… Our current pandemic can certainly cause a myriad of psychological as well as physical problems – sometimes called yips! The yips has often been described as a psychological problem. But what is it anyway? Professional golfer Tommy Armour III is said to have coined the expression describing yips as a “sudden and inexplicable loss of the ability to putt correctly.” If you have played golf, you know exactly what the yips can do to your game. This term has been broadened to apply to any unexplained loss of skill of athletes in any sport.
Just ask Daniel Bard, now a 35-year old pitcher with the Colorado Rockies of the National League (MLB) in the West Division who play their home games in Coors Field, when they can, in this 2020 Pandemic season. Bard can tell you, in great detail, all about the yips.
Bard was 8 and 4 with an earned run average (ERA) as a freshman pitcher for the North Carolina Tar Heels which earned him All-American Freshman honors in 2004. Along with pitcher Andrew Miller, Bard, in his junior year, led the Tar Heels to the College World Series losing to Oregon State 2 -1. He finished his year with a 9-4 record and an ERA of 3.64. In 2006 he was drafted 28th in the first round by the Boston Red Sox yet continued his education at North Carolina.
His debut in 2007 with the Greenville Drive was disastrous! His 22 starts had a 7.05 ERA as well as walking 78 batters in 75 innings. His ball control had the yips. Later it improved, but only to the point of bullpen and minor league assignments. He made his major league debut with the Red Sox at Fenway Park in 2009 pitching two scoreless innings in an 8-4 loss to the Angels.
A variety of misfortunes happened. He inexplicably lost command of his pitches. As he bounced around minor league teams and in and out of “The Dance” – a euphemism often used to describe the major leagues. As examples of his loss of command: In 2013, he had 23 walks in 6 1/3 innings; in 2014, 9 walks, 7 HBP in 2/3 inning; 2015, no appearances with the Chicago Cubs; in 2016, 13 walks, 5 HBP in 3 innings with the St. Louis Cardinals; 2017 24 walks, 4 HBP in 9 innings with the Cardinals and New York Mets.
Was Bard done in MLB? Not on your life! After taking a coaching job with the Arizona Diamondbacks, he resumed his pitching and now, with the Rockies, is throwing strikes and his fastball is as blistering as it once was. His first comeback victory was a 3-2 win over the Texas Rangers on July 25, 2020 — due to a “Never Give Up” philosophy!
Will you learn from Bard’s example to never give up no matter what conditions you face?
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
To contact Jim, go to www.jimtunney.com or email jim@jimtunney.com.
Jim’s Bobblehead and books are available at Jim Tunney Youth Foundation (501c3).
