Former Toronto Blue Jays reliever Duane Ward, a key contributor to the franchise’s back-to-back World Series championships in the early 1990s, has died at the age of 62.
The Blue Jays confirmed Ward’s death on Sunday, announcing that he died of natural causes in Toronto. The organization did not release additional details surrounding his passing.
Ward had recently traveled to Toronto for the weekend’s celebration honoring the club’s 1992 and 1993 championship teams. Although he arrived in the city on Friday, he was unable to attend Saturday’s ceremony at Rogers Centre, where former players, coaches and executives gathered to unveil a statue commemorating the historic World Series victories.
The team remembered Ward as one of the most important pitchers in franchise history.
“Duane will be deeply missed by our fans, and we extend our heartfelt condolences to his family,” the Blue Jays said in a statement. “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.”
Before Sunday’s game against the Chicago White Sox, Toronto honored Ward with a video tribute on the stadium scoreboard followed by a moment of silence.
Ward began his Major League Baseball career with the Atlanta Braves in 1986 before being traded to Toronto later that same season. He would spend the remainder of his playing days with the Blue Jays, becoming one of the club’s most dependable bullpen arms.
Over nine seasons in Toronto, Ward appeared in 452 games, the second-most pitching appearances in franchise history. He also finished his career with 121 saves, ranking second on the club’s all-time list.
His breakout campaign came in 1991 when he posted a 2.77 ERA, recorded 23 saves and led all of Major League Baseball with 81 appearances.
Ward elevated his game even further during Toronto’s championship years. Serving as the team’s dominant setup reliever in 1992, he finished with an impressive 1.95 ERA while helping the Blue Jays capture their first World Series title.
The following season, Ward took over as Toronto’s closer and earned American League All-Star honors after posting a 2.13 ERA while recording 45 saves. That total still stands as the Blue Jays’ single-season franchise record.
Ward also delivered when the stakes were highest. Across 19 postseason appearances, he compiled a 3-0 record with a remarkable 1.13 ERA and two saves. He earned the victory in Game 6 of the 1993 World Series, the unforgettable championship-clinching game that ended with Joe Carter’s iconic walk-off home run against the Philadelphia Phillies.
Reflecting on his legacy, the Blue Jays added:
“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.”
An arm injury forced Ward to miss the entire 1994 season, and he appeared in only four games the following year before retiring from baseball. He concluded his Major League career with a 32-37 record, a 3.28 ERA and a lasting legacy as one of the greatest relievers ever to wear a Blue Jays uniform.
