Duane Ward, Toronto Blue Jays Bullpen Hero, Has Died at 62

Who Was Duane Ward?

Duane Ward was a baseball player who helped the Toronto Blue Jays win two World Series championships in a row in the early 1990s. He was part of the team’s "bullpen" — that’s the group of pitchers who come in later in the game to help finish it.

• He played for the Blue Jays and was a key relief pitcher.
• He was 62 years old when he passed away.
• The team shared the sad news on Sunday.

How and When Did He Pass Away?

The Blue Jays said Ward died of natural causes (that means his body simply wore out, not because of an accident or illness from outside) in Toronto.

• He arrived in Toronto on Friday.
• He was not at the Rogers Centre on Saturday.
• On Saturday, over two dozen players, coaches, and executives from the 1992 and 1993 championship teams met to show off a statue celebrating those wins.

Important Point: Ward died of natural causes in Toronto at age 62, just one day after arriving and missing the championship statue event.

What the Team Said

The Blue Jays released a statement with kind words:

• "Duane will be deeply missed by our fans, and we extend our heartfelt condolences to his family."
• "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."
• "Whether setting the stage in the eighth inning or closing out wins, he will be remembered for the role he played in some of the greatest moments in Blue Jays history."

Ward’s Baseball Journey (ELI5 Style)

Here is how his career went, step by step:

1. April 1986: Ward started in the big leagues with the Atlanta Braves (another baseball team).
2. Later in 1986: He was traded to Toronto, where he stayed for the rest of his career.
3. 1991: He became one of the best relief pitchers in baseball — he played in 81 games (the most in the league) and saved 23 games.
4. 1992: He helped Toronto win its first-ever World Series as a "setup man" (the pitcher who gets the game ready for the finisher).
5. 1993: He became an All-Star "closer" (the pitcher who finishes the game) and led his league with 45 saves.
6. 1994: He missed the whole season because of an arm injury.
7. 1995: He played only 4 games, then retired.

Cool Career Stats to Know

Ward was really good at his job. Here are some numbers that show it:

• He is second in Blue Jays history for:
  • Pitching appearances: 452
  • Saves: 121
• In the postseason (extra important games), he played in 19 games.
• In 8 World Series games:
  • Won 3, lost 0
  • ERA (a score for how few runs he allowed) of 1.13
  • 2 saves
• He was the winning pitcher in Game 6 of the 1993 World Series, when Joe Carter hit a famous home run to win it all against the Philadelphia Phillies.
• Overall career (with Atlanta and Toronto): 32 wins, 37 losses, 3.28 ERA in 462 games.

Important Point: Ward was the winning pitcher in Game 6 of the 1993 World Series — the game with Joe Carter’s walk-off home run!

Summary

Duane Ward was a beloved Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher who helped the team win back-to-back World Series titles in 1992 and 1993. He died of natural causes in Toronto at age 62, shortly after returning to the city. Remembered as a clutch bullpen star and a cherished part of Blue Jays history, Ward leaves behind a legacy of big saves, a great postseason record, and unforgettable moments for Canadian baseball fans.

FAQ

Q: What does "bullpen" mean?
A: The bullpen is the group of pitchers who come into the game after the starting pitcher to help finish it. Ward was one of those guys.

Q: What is a "closer" or "setup man"?
A: A setup man pitches just before the closer to get the team ready to win. The closer is the last pitcher who tries to lock in the win. Ward did both jobs well.

Q: Why was Game 6 of the 1993 World Series so special?
A: Because Ward was the winning pitcher, and Joe Carter hit a "walk-off" home run (a hit that immediately wins the game) to beat the Phillies.

Q: How long did Ward play for the Blue Jays?
A: From 1986 (when he was traded from Atlanta) until he retired in 1995, so almost his whole career was in Toronto.