Gary Ward

Gary Ward was born in Compton, California, on December 6, 1953. The Twins signed him in 1972 as an amateur free agent.

His first year of minor league ball in 1973 was spent in Low-A Geneva, New York, where he showed immediate potential by being one of the better hitters on the team. From there, Ward began the slow progression up the minor league system with stops at Class-A Wisconsin Rapids, two years at Double-A Orlando, and three seasons at Triple-A, first at Tacoma and then Toledo. He always produced a modest batting average, a decent walk rate, and some power.

Gary Ward debuted with the Twins on September 3, 1979, in a home game against the Kansas City Royals. He came in as a pinch runner at the bottom of the eighth inning but could not score, and the Twins ultimately lost 1-0. Ward’s first hit came on September 23 against the Milwaukee Brewers. He was used as a pinch hitter in the seventh inning and walked. His first hit came in the top of the ninth; it was a single. But that was the only base runner for the Twins in the ninth, and they lost 8-7. 

The 1980 season saw Ward get only 46 plate appearances with the Twins during a September call-up. Ward got his first home run on September 18 against the Brewers. The homer came against Mike Caldwell. But more noteworthy, that home run was part of Ward hitting for the cycle in only his 14th career game. He is the quickest player in MLB history ever to achieve this trivial rarity (in a game just four days earlier, Ward had a single, double, and triple but could not get the home run.). That September, Ward had a phenomenal 1.269 OPS in 46 plate appearances to put himself on the radar for 1981.

In 1981, Ward was with the big club for the entire season. He hit .264/.325/.359. His season was good enough for him to place ninth in Rookie of the Year balloting. In 1982, Ward finally received full playing time, mostly in left field, and hit .284/343/.447. He also was selected as the American League Player of the Week twice that season.

1983 was the breakout season for Gary Ward. He started all 81 games before the All-Star break. At the break, he was hitting .289/.328/.488, good enough for a .816 OPS. He had 15 home runs and 52 RBI. It was a great first half and he was rewarded with an All-Star selection. Ward got one at-bat in the All-Star Game. Unfortunately for Ward and Twins fans, Ward went 0-1. He flew out to center field against Dave Dravecky in the fifth inning in the American League’s 13-3 win. Ward’s numbers slipped a little in the second half, but he finished the 1983 season with 4.2 bWAR, good enough for second on the team to John Castino. Ward’s defense was also very good, leading the American League left fielders in putouts and assists. His 24 assists were the most by an American League outfielder since 1944.

By the end of 1983, the Twins had promising outfielders – Ward, Tom Brunansky, Mickey Hatcher, a collection of center fielders, and an intriguing minor league prospect named Kirby Puckett, who finished the season at Triple-A. One thing the Twins teams of the early 80s did not have enough of was quality pitching, specifically starting pitching. They had future ace Frank Viola but little else. So, they dealt from their outfield depth to acquire two legitimate Major League starters. All-Star Gary Ward was sent to the Texas Rangers for Mike Smithson and John Butcher. While they weren’t future Hall of Famers or All-Stars, they ate innings. They started 36 and 34 games in 1984 with ERA+ of 114 and 122. They both started 30+ games again in 1985, with Smithson doing so again in 1986. Again, nothing phenomenal, but it helped fill a gaping hole.

Gary Ward’s career with the Twins lasted five seasons, with his most extensive playing time coming from 1981 to 1983. After the trade, he was an above-average major league hitter, posting a total OPS+ of 111 in three seasons in Texas. He also made his second All-Star team in 1985 (again going 0-1). He signed as a free agent with the New York Yankees after the 1986 season, then finished his career with the Detroit Tigers. 

Ward’s career slash line was .276/.328/.425. He had 130 home runs and 597 runs batted in. His career OPS+ was 105.

Gary Ward had a son, Daryle, born in June of 1975, while Gary played for Double-A Orlando of the Southern League. Daryle Ward followed in his father’s footsteps and became a Major League Baseball player. Not only that, he, Daryle, also hit for the cycle in a game for Pittsburgh in 2004. The Wards were the first father-son tandem to hit for the cycle in MLB history. (They have since been joined by Hall of Famer Craig Biggio and his son, Cavan.)

After baseball, Gary Ward served as a minor league coach for many seasons in the White Sox organization. 

Gary Ward was a quality player for the Minnesota Twins, earning an All-Star berth. But I also remember him fondly for the return he provided when traded. The Twins’ starting pitching was bad in 1983. Mike Smithson and John Butcher had their best seasons in Minnesota in 1984. They helped turn the corner and make the team more competitive. They did not help win the 1987 World Series, but it seemed like their arrival was a small signal that maybe things were improving. Mike Smithson played in 1987 but contributed little to the World Series championship (he threw 109.0 innings with a 5.94 ERA and was left off the postseason roster). John Butcher was traded in 1986, so not at all around for the championship season. Smithson’s ERA+ was 97 in four seasons. Butcher’s ERA+ was 96 in over two seasons. So, while neither was great, they were exactly what was needed at the time – just dependable major league pitchers. And we have Gary Ward to thank for them.