Duane Ward, Blue Jays legend and two-time World Series champion reliever, dies at 62

Duane Ward, a dominant reliever for the Toronto Blue Jays' back-to-back World Series championship teams, died in Toronto of natural causes at 62, the Blue Jays announced.

Ward recorded 121 saves during his Blue Jays career and was named an American League All-Star in 1993, when he led the league with a franchise-record 45 saves. He won three games and recorded two saves across his World Series appearances, earning the win in Game 6 of the 1993 World Series shortly before Joe Carter hit his historic walk-off home run.

He was in Toronto on Friday alongside other members of the 1992 and 1993 championship teams but was absent from Saturday's ceremony unveiling the Joe Carter statue.

Tributes focused equally on Ward's character away from the mound. Sportscaster Rod Black remembered him as both "an absolute beast" on the field and "one of the sweetest dudes you could meet" off it. "Great closer. Great man," Black wrote.

The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum recognized Ward's accomplishments during Toronto's championship years. The Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame, which inducted Ward as part of its 2020 class, called him a "loyal ambassador" for the Blue Jays who participated in charitable initiatives and led baseball clinics across Canada through the Blue Jays Baseball Academy.

"Duane's impact on Canadian baseball extended well beyond his playing career," Baseball Canada said. "Through his work with young athletes in communities nationwide, he helped develop skills and grow their love of the game. He will be deeply missed."