Duane Ward

Roy Duane Ward(born May 28, 1964) is an American formerMajor League Baseballrelief pitcherwho played with theAtlanta BravesandToronto Blue Jays.

Duane Ward
Pitcher
Born:(1964-05-28)May 28, 1964 Park View, New Mexico,U.S.
Batted:Right Threw:Right
MLB debut
April 12, 1986, for the Atlanta Braves
Last MLB appearance
June 22, 1995, for the Toronto Blue Jays
MLB statistics
Win–loss record	32–37
Earned run average	3.28
Strikeouts	679
Saves	121
StatsatBaseball Reference
Teams
Atlanta Braves(1986) Toronto Blue Jays(1986–1995)
Career highlights and awards
All-Star(1993) 2×World Serieschampion (1992,1993) AL saves leader(1993)
Member of the Canadian
Baseball Hall of Fame
Induction	2020

Ward went to school and made his early athletic mark in Farmington, New Mexico, a small oil and gas city, and one known for its amateur baseball programs. Ward thrived in the American Amateur Baseball Congress-sponsored baseball leagues and graduated from Farmington High School, home of the Scorpions. He was drafted out of high school in 1982. Ward also starred in theConnie Mack World Series,a baseball tournament for 18-and-under players that has been hosted in Farmington since 1965.

Since 1988, Ward has lived inLas Vegas, Nevada.

Early career

A hard-throwingpitcher,Ward was drafted with the ninth pick in the 1st round of the1982 amateur draftby theAtlanta Braves.He is tied withJim Kremmel(1971) for the second-highest draft pick of players hailing from New Mexico, behind shortstopAlex Bregman,who was selected with the second pick in the first round of the2015 MLB draft.He made his major league debut on April 12, 1986, but after limited success was traded to theToronto Blue Jayson July 6 for pitcherDoyle Alexander.

Setup man

Ward became one of the Jays' most dependable middle and late inning relievers in1988,and remained in the role through the1992season, when the Blue Jays won their firstWorld Series.His pitching repertoire featured a lively, mid-90s fastball and a hard slider.

Closer

After years of being inTom Henke's shadow, Ward took over thecloser's role in1993.In the regular season, Ward set Toronto's single-season team record forsaveswith 45. He was tied withJeff Montgomeryof theKansas City Royalsfor most saves in the American League. Ward was the closing pitcher for the American League in its 9–3 victory at the1993 Major League Baseball All-Star Game.In helping the Blue Jays repeat as World Series Champions in 1993 Ward reached the peak of his career and, unexpectedly, the last significant duty of his career.

In the1993 World Series,Ward earned two saves over Philadelphia, in Game 1 (8–5 save, in Toronto) and in the wild Toronto 15–14 victory in Game 4 in Philadelphia, when Ward got the last four outs after Toronto scored the final six runs of the game. Ward was the winning pitcher for the decisive Game 6 in whichJoe Carterhit awalk-off home runafter Ward pitched in relief.

The rest of Ward's career was beset by injuries and he would never save another Major League game after 1993.After missing the entire1994season due tobicepstendinitis,he retired from theToronto Blue Jaysafter pitching just four games during the1995season. He finished his career with a 3.28ERAand 121 saves.

Broadcasting

Since 2014, Ward has been featured on the Blue Jays' radio broadcasts for Sportsnet 590 The Fan. He occasionally fills in for regular colour commentatorJoe Siddall.

See also

• List of Major League Baseball annual saves leaders

External links

• Career statistics fromMLB,orESPN,orBaseball Reference,orFangraphs,orBaseball Reference (Minors)