Duane Ward, key Blue Jays relief pitcher, dies at 62
Yahoo Sports • 2 min read • Latest: Jul 19, 2026, 1:45 PM
Last updated Jul 19, 2026
Duane Ward, a pivotal member of the Toronto Blue Jays during their World Series victories in 1992 and 1993, has died at the age of 62. He passed away of natural causes on July 17 after attending a celebration in Toronto for the franchise's championship teams. Ward was known for his dominant performance in crucial late-inning situations, particularly his perfect inning in Game 6 of the 1993 World Series. The ceremony included the unveiling of a statue of Joe Carter, who hit the game-winning home run in that series. Ward was inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame in 2020 and ended his career with 121 saves and 679 strikeouts.
- •Duane Ward died on July 17, 2026, in Toronto.
- •He was a crucial part of the Blue Jays' 1992 and 1993 championships.
- •Ward was the winning pitcher in Game 6 of the 1993 World Series.
- •He completed his career with 121 saves and 679 strikeouts.
- •Ward was inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame in 2020.
- 5:24 PMYahoo Sports — Duane Ward, former Blue Jays pitcher and World Series champion, dies at 62
- 3:11 PMESPN — Ward, star reliever on Jays' WS teams, dies at 62
- 1:45 PMYahoo Sports — Duane Ward, relief hero of Blue Jays World Series champion teams, dies at 62
"Duane Ward, a two-time World Series champion and one of the most accomplished relievers in Toronto Blue Jays history, has died of natural causes, the team announced Sunday. The team said Ward arrived in Toronto on Friday with several former teammates from the 1992 and 1993 championship teams but was absent from Saturday’s pregame ceremony celebrating those victories with a statue unveiling. “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,” the team said in a statement.
"Duane Ward died of natural causes after arriving in Toronto on July 17 for a weekend celebration of the franchise's 1992-93 championship teams.
"Duane Ward, who anchored the bullpen for the Blue Jays' back-to-back World Series-winning teams in the early 1990s, has died. He was 62.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsJul 19, 2026, 5:24 PMDuane Ward, former Blue Jays pitcher and World Series champion, dies at 62
Duane Ward, a two-time World Series champion and one of the most accomplished relievers in Toronto Blue Jays history, has died of natural causes, the team announced Sunday. The team said Ward arrived in Toronto on Friday with several former teammates from the 1992 and 1993 championship teams but was absent from Saturday’s pregame ceremony celebrating those victories with a statue unveiling. “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,” the team said in a statement.
- ESPNJul 19, 2026, 3:11 PMWard, star reliever on Jays' WS teams, dies at 62
Duane Ward, who anchored the bullpen for the Blue Jays' back-to-back World Series-winning teams in the early 1990s, has died. He was 62.
- Yahoo SportsJul 19, 2026, 1:45 PMDuane Ward, relief hero of Blue Jays World Series champion teams, dies at 62
Duane Ward died of natural causes after arriving in Toronto on July 17 for a weekend celebration of the franchise's 1992-93 championship teams.
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