Boston sports talk

Bruins goalie Tim Thomas has decided to take the 2012-2013 season off to spend more time with his family, friends, and faith. And as a result, everyone is talking about it. Up until now, I haven't really had enough of a say either way to talk about it, but after watching Felger & Mazz on Comcast SportsNet, I know what I think. If Thomas really does want to spend time with his family, then hell, who are we to stop him? Sure, he's under contract to play next season, but if this really is where Tim Thomas is coming from, I think you have to give him the benefit of the doubt. He's 38, won multiple Vezina Trophies, a Stanley Cup, a Conn Smythe Trophy...he has the accolades to be regarded as an outstanding goaltender. Of course, a lot of the fire at Thomas is that it's a contract year. There has been some speculation about Thomas foregoing the season to force a trade, or put a different onus on the Bruins. But I don't think this is the reason. Thomas has been nothing but good to the Bruins, and brought us back to the upper echelon of the NHL. At this time in the Bruins organization, it's time for Tuukka Rask to step in and take the goalie role from here on. Tuukka is ready, young, and can quickly become a face of the franchise, and I don't think the Bruins should get in the way of that at all.

Which might also be what the Red Sox should do with Daniel Bard. Bard has been sent down to AAA (Pawtucket) because of his recent struggles at the major league level. With a 5.24 ERA and a 1.62 WHIP, Bard has struggled in his role as a starter this year. After two seasons with a sub-1.00 WHIP and 30-plus holds, Bard was converted as a starter, which was apparently much to his chagrin. I don't have an exact quote, but I remember him saying something along the lines of wishing the Red Sox had let him be the pitcher he was in the bullpen, in the starting role. Meaning he would go out every fifth day, start the game in the first inning, and pitch like it was the 8th. For six or seven more innings. Every fifth day. The problem with this is that YOU CAN'T DO THAT! You can't throw 97 mph seventy percent of the time and expect major league hitters to not catch up by the second or third time through the lineup. So naturally, he threw his fastball less. He went from throwing his changeup 7.1% of the time in 2011 to 19% of the time this year. He tried doing things to make him a better pitcher. But he didn't do any of them in reality. Daniel Bard is a thrower. And he's not even doing that anymore. His fastball velocity is down 4 mph from last year, has been very ineffective, and generally, he's not a good pitcher. Bard needs to learn how to use his head on the mound, instead of his fastball. He could afford to do that in the bullpen, but has no such luxury as a starter. And hopefully he'll work on this in Pawtucket, if the organization chooses to have him remain in the rotation. Personally, I think he should go back to the bullpen, because there are zero guys in there who can intimidate any batter. Sure, the bullpen has gotten better. But if Bard is going to go out every five days and suck, I'd rather have him in the bullpen, not suck, and have someone else try and do better as the fifth starter.