Former Blue Jays pitcher Duane Ward dies at 62

Former Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Duane Ward, a two-time World Series champion and a key figure in the franchise's most successful era, died on July 19, 2026, in Toronto. He was 62. The team announced his death was due to natural causes.

Ward's passing came on the same weekend the Blue Jays were honoring the teams he helped lead to consecutive World Series titles in 1992 and 1993. He had returned to Toronto on Friday, July 17, but was absent from a ceremony the following day at Rogers Centre, where a statue commemorating those championship teams was unveiled. Over 20 former players and coaches from that era attended the event.

The right-hander spent nearly his entire major league career with the Blue Jays after being traded from the Atlanta Braves in July 1986. He initially served as a dominant setup man for closer Tom Henke, forming one of baseball's most formidable late-game duos. In 1992, Ward posted a 1.95 earned run average over more than 100 innings, helping secure the franchise's first championship.

Following Henke's departure after the 1992 season, Ward ascended to the full-time closer role. His 1993 campaign was historic, as he led the American League with 45...