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Former MLB reliever Duane Ward, known for helping the Toronto Blue Jays win the World Series in the 1990s, has died. He was 62 years old.
The Blue Jays announced Ward's death Sunday, saying he died of natural causes while in Toronto.
Ward was in Toronto to unveil a statue outside the Blue Jays home Rogers Center to commemorate the World Series championships from 1992 and 1993, which he was a part of.
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Duane Ward of the Toronto Blue Jays winds up to play against the Oakland Athletics during a game in Oakland, California. (Getty Images)
The launch was to take place on Saturday, when more than a dozen players, coaches and managers were there to witness it for the first time.
“Duane will be greatly missed by our fans, and our condolences go out to his family,” the Blue Jays said in a statement. “Duane will always be a valued part of the Blue Jays family, and we will always be grateful for his contributions to our organization and to Canadian baseball.”
BOBBY COX, ATLANTA BRAVES MANAGER AND 1995 WORLD SERIES COACH, CAME 84.
The Blue Jays also honored Ward before Sunday's home opener against the Chicago White Sox, holding a moment of silence for him after the plays played on the video board in center field.
Ward was the top draft pick of the Atlanta Braves out of Farmington High School in New Mexico during the 1982 MLB Draft, but while he made his major league debut with the club, he didn't last long.
Ward was traded to the Blue Jays during the 1986 season, and indeed found a home north of the border.
He spent parts of nine years with the ballclub, becoming a key player to rely on as the Blue Jays proved they had what it took to reach, and win, the World Series in the early 1990s.
A moment before the game for former Blue Jays player Duane Ward, who died, as the Toronto Blue Jays played the Chicago White Sox at Rogers Center in Toronto, Ontario, on July 19, 2026. (Richard Lautens / Toronto Star)
Ward's best season came during the 1993 World Series run, leading the league with 70 shutouts and 45 saves, while carrying a 2.13 ERA in 71.2 innings (71 games).
Ward also had a career-best 1.95 ERA in the 1992 season, earning 12 saves, and 103 strikeouts in 101.1 innings pitched.
In the postseason, Ward was exceptional, owning a 1.13 ERA and two saves during his World Series appearance. And while Game 6 of the 1993 World Series will always be remembered for Joe Carter's home run against the Philadelphia Phillies, it was Ward who earned the victory as the pitcher who closed the door on allowing that to happen.
“Whether it's pitching in the eighth inning or closing out a win, he will be remembered for the role he played in some of the biggest moments in Blue Jays history,” the team's statement continued.
Former MLB player Duane Ward throws out the ceremonial first pitch before Game 3 of the American League Division Series between the Texas Rangers and the Toronto Blue Jays at the Rogers Center in Toronto, Canada. (Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
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After an arm injury forced Ward to miss the entire 1994 season, he played just four games in 1995 before seeing the big league mound for the last time.
In 462 games, Ward has a career 3.28 ERA with 679 strikeouts over 666.2 innings pitched.
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