Duane Ward Passes Away in Toronto: From Reunion to Tragedy

Yesterday, Toronto was in a festive mood. The Blue Jays, who beat the White Sox, paid special tribute to the team's 1992 and 1993 squads.

Several players were in town for the occasion.

The highlight of the event was when the Blue Jays unveiled a massive 15-foot statue of Joe Carter and his famous moment.

So it was a great day for Blue Jays fans.

That said, a dark cloud cast a shadow over this beautiful day. This morning, the Blue Jays announced that Duane Ward, the team's former relief pitcher, had passed away.

He was 62 years old.

It's worth noting that Ward passed away in Toronto. He had arrived on Friday to celebrate with his teammates from 1992 and 1993, but was absent from yesterday's ceremony.

He died of natural causes. Our thoughts are with his loved ones.

Every death is sad, but the circumstances surrounding Duane Ward's passing are tragic. One can imagine that his former teammates were worried when they didn't see him at the ceremony.

After all, let me remind you: he had arrived in Toronto on Friday.

Ward played 10 games with the Braves in 1986 before heading to Toronto. He never wore another Major League uniform for the rest of his career.

Known as a pitcher who could set the stage, he also recorded 121 saves from 1988 to 1993. In the year of the team's second World Series, he was the closer. #45Saves

He pitched only 2.2 innings after 1993 (in 1995) and retired after his 31-year-old season. He didn't have a long career, but he finished in the top 10 for the Cy Young Award twice: in 1991 and 1993.

He also appeared in the All-Star Game in 1993.

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