While many enjoyed the action on Opening Day of the MLB season, Colorado Rockies closer Daniel Bard bravely decided to take a break from the game for his mental health.
On Thursday, the Rockies announced that Bard would begin the season on the 15-day injured list while he deals with anxiety.
Bard told Danielle Allentuck of the Denver Gazette that the decision didn’t come easy.
“It’s a hard thing to admit. But I’ve been through this before,” Bard said. “I have enough going on outside the game to realize what’s important. I’m extremely grateful to be in an organization that understands these things and is accepting.”
A nine-year MLB veteran, Bard has walked away from baseball before. After spending the first five seasons of his career with the Boston Red Sox, Bard was out of the majors from 2014 to 2020, suffering from the yips.
While he pitched sparingly in the minors and independent leagues, Bard didn’t return to MLB until the 2020 season after joining the Rockies.
The 37-year-old had a standout 2022, finishing 6-4 with 34 saves and a 1.78 ERA in 57 games.
Professional athletes end up on the injured list for various reasons, but perhaps not enough for mental health reasons. Bard’s choice should be applauded and used as a positive example for players in every sport to dispel mental health stigma. Bard shows that even professional athletes need help, and no one should be afraid to ask for it.
