Duane Ward, former Blue Jays pitcher, World Series champion, dies at 62

Former Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher and two-time World Series champion Duane Ward has died at 62.

The Blue Jays say Ward died of natural causes in Toronto.

He arrived in the city on Friday ahead of the team's ceremony honouring the 1992 and 1993 championships, but was absent from the festivities.

Statement from the Toronto Blue Jays: <a href="https://t.co/95hjd2PvcU">pic.twitter.com/95hjd2PvcU</a>

Ward appeared in 452 games from 1986 to 1995 and ranks among the Blue Jays' franchise leaders in saves with 121.

In 2020, he was honoured with an induction into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame.

The Blue Jays extended their condolences to Ward's family and said he "will always be a cherished part of the Blue Jays family."