Beloved Blue Jays Pitcher Duane Ward Has Passed Away at 62

What Happened?

Duane Ward, who was one of the most successful and well-loved relief pitchers in Toronto Blue Jays history, has died at the age of 62. The Blue Jays team shared this sad news on Sunday.

• He passed away from natural causes in the city of Toronto.
• The team said his death was due to natural causes, meaning it was not from an accident or illness caused by outside factors.

A Sad Absence at a Team Reunion

Duane Ward had traveled to Toronto on Friday with his old teammates from the 1992 and 1993 World Series championship teams.

• These were special reunions because those teams won the biggest prize in baseball two years in a row.
• However, Ward was not at the Saturday pre-game ceremony where the team showed off its newest statue.
• The statue event was to honor the franchise’s history, and his teammates were there, but he was missing.

Ward’s Time with the Blue Jays

Ward played for the Toronto Blue Jays for 10 seasons, from 1986 to 1995.

• He played in 452 games, which is a lot for a reliever (a pitcher who comes in later in the game to help protect a lead).
• He became known as one of the most reliable late-inning relievers in the team’s history.
• A "reliever" is a pitcher who takes over from the starting pitcher.
• A "save" is when a pitcher finishes a game without losing a lead, helping the team win.
• Ward finished his Blue Jays career with 121 saves, which puts him among the team’s all-time leaders.
• He was both a setup man (a pitcher who gets the game ready for the final pitcher) and a closer (the last pitcher who finishes the game).

Important Point: Ward was a key part of one of the most successful periods in Blue Jays history, helping the team win championships.

Helping the Team Win Big

The right-handed pitcher (meaning he threw with his right hand) was very important in helping the Blue Jays win back-to-back World Series titles in 1992 and 1993.

• His best year was 1993.
• In 1993, he was chosen as an American League All-Star (a special honor for the best players).
• That same year, he led the league with 45 saves, which was the most of anyone.

Honored for His Work

Ward’s help to baseball did not go unnoticed.

• In 2020, he was added to the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame.
• This is a place that remembers the best people in Canadian baseball history.

Summary

Duane Ward, a fan-favorite Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher, died at 62 from natural causes in Toronto. He was in town with his 1992 and 1993 championship teammates but missed the statue ceremony. Over 10 seasons (1986–1995), he played 452 games, earned 121 saves, and helped the team win two World Series. His best year was 1993 with 45 saves and an All-Star pick. He joined the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame in 2020.

FAQ

Who was Duane Ward?
He was a relief pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays from 1986 to 1995 and one of the most loved players in team history.

How did Duane Ward die?
He died of natural causes in Toronto at age 62, according to the team.

What did Ward do in 1993?
He was an All-Star and led the American League with 45 saves, helping the Blue Jays win the World Series.

What is the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame?
It is a hall that honors the greatest contributors to baseball in Canada. Ward was inducted in 2020.