Duane Ward, star reliever for the Toronto Blue Jays' back-to-back World Series champions in 1992 and 1993, died Sunday at 62 of natural causes in Toronto. The team announced his passing, noting he will be "deeply missed by our fans" and remain "a cherished part of the Blue Jays family."

Ward ranks second in franchise history with 452 appearances and 121 saves. He emerged as an elite reliever in 1991 with a 2.77 ERA and 81 games, then posted a 1.95 ERA as Toronto's setup man during their first championship in 1992. The following year he thrived as an All-Star closer, leading the American League with 45 saves — a club record that still stands — and a 2.13 ERA.

In the postseason, Ward went 3-0 with a 1.13 ERA and two saves across eight World Series appearances. He earned the win in Game 6 of the 1993 World Series when Joe Carter's walk-off home run clinched the title over Philadelphia. Ward missed all of 1994 with an arm injury and retired in 1995 after just four games, finishing 32-37 with a 3.28 ERA in 462 career games.