"Ward’s journey from a struggling prospect to an all-time great with the Blue Jays illustrates resilience and evolution in the ever-changing landscape of baseball pitching roles."
"Duane Ward solidified his legacy as a premier reliever, amassing 121 saves with the Blue Jays, showcasing an impressive blend of strikeouts and earned runs."
Duane Ward, who turns 61 today, is celebrated as the Blue Jays’ second all-time saves leader with 121 saves. Drafted in 1982 by the Atlanta Braves, he faced early struggles as a starter due to control issues but found his niche as a reliever after being traded to the Jays in 1986. Serving primarily as a setup man, Ward’s effectiveness increased as he gained experience, eventually taking over as closer in 1993. He had a standout season that year, recording a league-leading 45 saves and striking out 97 batters, cementing his legacy with the team.
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