While taking a look at the MLB transactions a couple of days ago, I noticed Daniel Bard was selected to the roster of the Boston Red Sox. I’m sure this wasn’t a move that drew a while lot of attention outside of New England – but it did remind me of an amusing “discussion” I had with Justin Speier a few years ago.
It was shortly after the 2006 Amateur Draft and I was on the road with the Jays in Atlanta. Bard had just been selected by the Red Sox in the 1st round (28th overall) but was still participating in the College World Series for North Carolina. UNC had Bard starting vs. Cal State Fullerton and the game was on in the clubhouse primarily because Reed Johnson is an alumnus of Cal State and religiously followed his former school. As I was watching the game, I heard Speier yell from the other side of the room, “Hey Bart, how come we didn’t draft this guy Bard? He throws a 100 and we didn’t like him? Who’d we draft?”
Now you have to understand Justin Speier is a great guy – but he loves to try and embarrass people by challenging them to debates and using sheer volume as his offence. The only way to deal with a guy like this is head on – therefore I yelled back across the room ‘We drafted a high school outfielder who’s going to be a stud. Don’t you worry about the draft.”
“I thought we were a Moneyball team – we’re not supposed to draft high school players.” was his somewhat clever retort.
To which I responded “This high schooler is going to make you forget about Bard.” As most of you already know, the high school outfielder I was referring to is current Blue Jay – Travis Snider. Now, I can’t say at that moment I was certain Snider would make Speier forget about Bard – I’m not even sure Speier will remember the conversation. The truth is, I had to return the verbal volley and after watching Snider’s pre-draft workout and hearing our Scouting Department rave about him, I felt he was a good enough to stake my “reputation” on.
Who knows who will have the better career – Travis Snider or Daniel Bard? I do know which horse I’m backing.