Former Blue Jays reliever Duane Ward dead at 62 while in Toronto for World Series tribute
Duane Ward, a relief pitcher instrumental in the Toronto Blue Jays' back-to-back World Series victories in the early 1990s, has died at age 62. The Blue Jays announced his death on Sunday, stating he passed away from natural causes whilst in Toronto.
Ward had travelled to the city for the unveiling of a statue outside Rogers Centre commemorating the 1992 and 1993 championship teams. The dedication ceremony on Saturday brought together dozens of former players, coaches, and organization executives to recognize that era of the franchise. The Blue Jays released a statement noting Ward's profound importance to the team's legacy and offering condolences to his family.
- Duane Ward, relief pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays' consecutive World Series championships in 1992 and 1993, died at age 62 from natural causes
- He was in Toronto attending a statue dedication honouring those championship teams when he passed
- The Blue Jays organization expressed condolences, calling him a cherished part of the franchise's history