Duane Ward Passes Away
MLB Trade Rumors • • sports
Key Points:
- Duane Ward, longtime Toronto Blue Jays reliever and key contributor to their 1992-93 World Series championships, passed away in Toronto over the weekend.
- Ward was drafted ninth overall by the Atlanta Braves in 1982, debuted in 1986, and was traded midseason to the Blue Jays, where he became a dominant bullpen presence as both a set-up man and closer.
- From 1988 to 1993, Ward led all pitchers in appearances with 434 games and played a crucial role alongside closer Tom Henke, earning a ninth-place finish in AL Cy Young voting in 1991.
- In 1993, Ward led the American League with 45 saves, setting a Blue Jays single-season record, earned his only All-Star selection, and finished fifth in Cy Young voting, before injuries and the 1994 strike prematurely ended his career.
- Ward finished with a 3.28 ERA, 121 saves, and 679 strikeouts over 462 games, and is remembered for his effectiveness in limiting home runs, allowing only 32 in his career; MLB Trade Rumors extends condolences to his family and fans.
