Who was Duane Ward?
Duane Ward was an American relief pitcher who played in Major League Baseball from 1986 to 1995 with the Atlanta Braves and Toronto Blue Jays. Drafted ninth overall by the Braves in 1982, he was traded to Toronto during his rookie season and developed into one of baseball's premier late-inning relievers. After several standout years as setup man to Tom Henke, Ward became the Blue Jays' closer in 1993, leading the American League with a franchise-record 45 saves while earning his lone All-Star selection and finishing fifth in Cy Young Award voting. He played a key role in Toronto's back-to-back World Series championships in 1992 and 1993, finishing his career with a 3.28 ERA, 121 saves, and 679 strikeouts.
Ward made 452 appearances for the Blue Jays, a franchise record until 2011, and remains one of the organization's greatest relief pitchers. Following his playing career, he stayed active with the club as an alumni ambassador, instructor at Blue Jays baseball camps, and occasional radio broadcaster. He was inducted into the New Mexico Sports Hall of Fame in 2009 and the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame in 2020. Ward died of natural causes in Toronto on July 18, 2026, at age 62 while in the city to participate in ceremonies honoring the Blue Jays' 1992 and 1993 championship teams. His death came just before the unveiling of a commemorative statue celebrating those clubs, underscoring his lasting legacy as one of the most beloved players in franchise history.