Duane Ward, Blue Jays World Series bullpen stalwart, dies at 62
The Toronto Blue Jays said Duane Ward, a key reliever on their 1992 and 1993 championship teams, died of natural causes in Toronto.
By Georgia Hale · Staff Writer
3 min read
Duane Ward, the hard-throwing right-hander who became a late-inning fixture for the Toronto Blue Jays during their back-to-back World Series run, has died at 62, the club announced Sunday.
The Blue Jays said Ward died of natural causes in Toronto. ESPN reported that Ward had arrived in the city Friday, but was not at Rogers Centre on Saturday for a celebration that brought together more than two dozen players, coaches and executives from the franchise’s 1992 and 1993 championship teams.
That gathering included the unveiling of a statue honoring those title-winning clubs. Ward’s absence came one day before the team announced his death.
In a statement, the Blue Jays offered condolences to Ward’s family and said he remained a cherished figure in franchise history. The club credited him for his role in baseball in Canada and in some of the organization’s biggest moments.
A bullpen arm for Toronto’s biggest stage
Ward reached the majors with the Atlanta Braves in April 1986, then was traded to Toronto later that year. According to ESPN, he stayed with the Blue Jays for the rest of his career.
His place in the club record book is still a large one. Ward ranks second in Blue Jays history with 452 pitching appearances and second with 121 saves, according to the ESPN report.
Ward’s rise hit full speed in 1991. That season, he recorded a 2.77 ERA with 23 saves and led the majors with 81 appearances, establishing himself among baseball’s top relievers.
In 1992, Ward worked as Toronto’s primary setup man and posted a 1.95 ERA as the Blue Jays won the first World Series championship in franchise history. A year later, he moved into the closer’s role, became an All-Star and led the American League with 45 saves while finishing with a 2.13 ERA.
Postseason poise
Ward pitched in 19 postseason games during his career. ESPN reported that he went 3-0 with a 1.13 ERA and two saves across eight World Series appearances.
One of those October moments came in Game 6 of the 1993 World Series against the Philadelphia Phillies. Ward was the winning pitcher that night, when Joe Carter’s walk-off home run gave Toronto the championship.
The Blue Jays said Ward would be remembered for his work both setting up games in the eighth inning and closing them out, roles that put him on the mound during a golden stretch for the franchise.
Ward’s career was cut short by arm trouble. He missed the entire 1994 season with an arm injury, then appeared in only four games in 1995 before retiring that year.
Across 462 major league games with Toronto and Atlanta, Ward finished 32-37 with a 3.28 ERA, according to ESPN.
This story draws on original reporting from ESPN.com.