Duane Ward, Blue Jays championship reliever, dies at 62
Duane Ward, the star reliever who helped the Toronto Blue Jays win back-to-back World Series titles in 1992 and 1993, has died at 62. The team said he died of natural causes in Toronto after arriving for a championship reunion ceremony he did not attend.
The Blue Jays announced Ward's death on Sunday, extending condolences to his family and calling him a cherished part of the organization. His passing comes as the club marked the era he helped define. For more celebrity and sports-world news, follow Celebrity Breaking News on BlasterPost.
Key Takeaways
- Duane Ward died at 62 of natural causes in Toronto, the Blue Jays said.
- He was a key reliever on Toronto's 1992 and 1993 World Series championship teams.
- Ward ranks second in franchise history with 121 saves and 452 pitching appearances.
- He was inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame in 2020.
- He arrived Friday for a championship reunion but missed Saturday's statue ceremony.
How did Duane Ward die?
According to the Toronto Blue Jays, Ward died of natural causes in Toronto. He was 62.
Ward had traveled to the city on Friday with teammates from the 1992 and 1993 World Series teams. He was not present Saturday at Rogers Centre, when players, coaches and executives gathered for the unveiling of a statue commemorating those titles, ESPN reported.
Who was Duane Ward in Blue Jays history?
Ward broke into the majors with the Atlanta Braves in April 1986 before a midseason trade to Toronto, where he spent the rest of his career through 1995. The hard-throwing right-hander ranks second in Blue Jays history in pitching appearances (452) and saves (121).
He emerged among baseball's top relievers in 1991, posting a 2.77 ERA and 23 saves while leading the majors with 81 appearances. In 1992, as Toronto's top setup man, he posted a 1.95 ERA as the Blue Jays won their first World Series. The next year he thrived as an All-Star closer, finishing with a 2.13 ERA and leading the American League with 45 saves.
Ward appeared in 19 postseason games and went 3-0 with a 1.13 ERA and two saves in eight World Series appearances. He was the winning pitcher in Game 6 of the 1993 World Series, when Joe Carter's walk-off home run lifted Toronto over the Philadelphia Phillies.
What did the Blue Jays say about Duane Ward?
"Duane will be deeply missed by our fans, and we extend our heartfelt condolences to his family," the team said in a statement. "Duane will always be a cherished part of the Blue Jays family, and we will be forever grateful for his contributions to our organization and to baseball in Canada."
The club also said that whether setting up in the eighth inning or closing out wins, Ward will be remembered for his role in some of the greatest moments in franchise history. He was inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame in 2020.
Ward missed the entire 1994 season because of an arm injury and appeared in just four games in 1995 before retiring. Career-wide, he went 32-37 with a 3.28 ERA in 462 games with Toronto and Atlanta.