Duane Ward

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Duane Ward

Pitcher

Born: May 20, 1964 (1964-05-20) (age 44) Park View, New Mexico
Batted: Right	Threw: Right
MLB debut
April 12, 1986 for the Atlanta Braves
Final game
June 22, 1995 for the Toronto Blue Jays
Career statistics
ERA	3.28
Strikeouts	679
Saves	121
Teams
Atlanta Braves (1986) Toronto Blue Jays (1986-1993, 1995)
Career highlights and awards
American League pennant: 1992, 1993 World Series champion: 1992, 1993 All-Star (AL): 1993 Co-led the American League in saves (45) in 1993

Roy Duane Ward (born May 28, 1964 in Park View, New Mexico) was a Major League Baseball reliever during the late 1980s and early 1990s.

Ward went to school in Farmington, New Mexico, and graduated from Farmington High School, home of the Scorpions.

Ward was drafted out of High School in 1982.

Since 1988, Ward has lived in Las Vegas, Nevada.

1 Early career
2 The Setup Man
3 The Closer
4 See also
5 External links

[edit] Early career

A hard-throwing pitcher, Ward was drafted in the 1st round of the 1982 amateur draft by the Atlanta Braves. Three brothers that were also excellent athletes in their own right. Tommy the oldest was a baseball player, Gary, younger was a standout wrestler and Michael was a baseball player as well. Duane also starred in the Connie Mack World Series in Farmington. He made his debut on April 12, 1986 but after limited success was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays on July 6 for pitcher Doyle Alexander.

[edit] The Setup Man

Ward became one of the Jays' most dependable middle relievers in 1988, and remained in the role through the 1992 season, when the Blue Jays won their first World Series championship.

[edit] The Closer

After years of being in Tom Henke's shadow, Ward took over the closer's role in 1993. The Blue Jays again won the World Series, and Ward posted a league-best 45 saves, tying him with Jeff Montgomery of the Kansas City Royals.

The rest of Ward's career was beset by injuries. After missing the entire 1994 season due to bicep tendinitis, he retired from the Toronto Blue Jays after pitching four games during the 1995 season. He finished with a 3.28 ERA and 121 saves.