Dwayne Ward, one of the most accomplished and beloved hitters in Toronto Blue Jays history, has died at age 62, the team announced Sunday.
Ward died of natural causes in Toronto, the team said.
He was in town Friday with his teammates from the 1992 and 1993 World Series championship teams, but was absent from Saturday’s pregame ceremony to unveil the franchise’s newest statue.
Ward played 10 seasons with the Blue Jays from 1986 to 1995, playing in 452 games and establishing himself as one of the most reliable late-inning hitters in franchise history. He finished his Toronto career with 121 saves, ranking among the club’s all-time leaders while serving as the team’s dominant player and closer during one of the most successful periods in team history.
The right-hander played a key role in helping the Blue Jays win those back-to-back World Series titles. His best season came in 1993, when he was named an American League All-Star and led the league with 45 saves.
Ward’s contributions to baseball were recognized with his induction into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame in 2020.