The thought of one day switching roles from a reliever to starter, however, is something Bard would welcome, according to WEEI.com.
"I kind of would like to try it," Bard told WEEI's Rob Bradford in Fort Myers, Fla., on Thursday. "It's something I would like to do. … Just as a personal challenge, [starting] would be cool."
Despite his excitment about such an opportunity, the 25-year-old fireballer doesn't foresee such a need arising any time soon.
"Sometime down the road, if we're in need of a starter, it might come into play, and I would definitely be open to it, but right now it's not even an issue," Bard told WEEI.
Bard, of course, has been successful at the game's highest level as a reliever, posting a 1.113 WHIP and striking out 139 batters in 124 innings for the Red Sox. He also appears to be the heir apparent for the Sox' closer position, with Jonathan Papelbon entering free agency at the conclusion of the 2011 season.
He did create a legend as a starter though while at the University of North Carolina, when he allowed just one run in 7 2/3 innings in Omaha at the College World Series.
Whether he'll end up starting in another World Series remains to be seen, but it's a challenge from which Bard won't be backing down.
