2006 Topps, Josh Bard

#UH54 Josh Bard

Here is another card in the long line of Padrographs sent to me by Rod. This one features back-up catcher Josh Bard.

Josh was drafted by the Rockies in the third round of the 1999 draft out of Texas Tech. He played in the Rox organization for only one season before being dealt to Cleveland in 2001. With the Indians organization, he rose up the ranks quickly and made his Major League debut with the Tribe late in the 2002 season. That year, he played in 24 games and hit .222 with 3 home runs. He would bounce back and forth between the minors and the big league club over the next couple of seasons before solidifying himself as the Indians back-up catcher in 2005.

That job was short-lived, however, as the Tribe traded Bard to the Red Sox after the season in the Coco Crisp/Andy Marte trade. Josh's tenure in Boston was extremely short as they then traded him to San Diego after only appearing in seven games with the Sox. He saw much more action with the Padres, though, as he had career highs in games played and at-bats with the Friars in 2007. He even hit a robust .338 in his first season with the club, which is about eighty points higher than his career average.

Josh spent 2009 with the Nationals and then split the last two seasons between Seattle and their AAA team in Tacoma. He signed a minor league deal with the Dodgers before this season started, but his Major League Baseball page lists him as released. The Dodgers AAA team's website still lists him as an active member of their club, so I am not really sure what is going on there.

Josh's signature is much better than yesterday's Padrograph of Russell Branyan. But, it really is no more than a "J" and a "B" with a little line to make up what I am assuming is part of the last letter in his name.