Turner Ward

{{short description|American baseball player and coach (born 1965)}}

{{Infobox baseball biography

|name=Turner Ward

|image=1988 Columbus Clippers Police - Turner Ward (cropped).jpg

|caption=Ward with the Columbus Clippers {{circa}} 1988

|position=Outfielder

|team=

|number=

|bats=Switch

|throws=Right

|birth_date={{Birth date and age|1965|4|11}}

|birth_place=Orlando, Florida, U.S.

|death_date=

|debutleague = MLB

|debutdate=September 10

|debutyear=1990

|debutteam=Cleveland Indians

|finalleague = MLB

|finaldate=July 27

|finalyear=2001

|finalteam=Philadelphia Phillies

|statleague=MLB

|stat1label=Batting average

|stat1value=.251

|stat2label=Home runs

|stat2value=39

|stat3label=Runs batted in

|stat3value=219

|teams=

;As player

Cleveland Indians ({{mlby|1990}}–{{mlby|1991}})
Toronto Blue Jays ({{mlby|1991}}–{{mlby|1993}})
Milwaukee Brewers ({{mlby|1994}}–{{mlby|1996}})
Pittsburgh Pirates ({{mlby|1997}}–{{mlby|1999}})
Arizona Diamondbacks ({{mlby|1999}}–{{mlby|2000}})
Philadelphia Phillies ({{mlby|2001}})

;As coach

Arizona Diamondbacks ({{mlby|2013}}–{{mlby|2015}})
Los Angeles Dodgers ({{mlby|2016}}–{{mlby|2018}})
Cincinnati Reds ({{mlby|2019}})
St. Louis Cardinals ({{mlby|2022}}–{{mlby|2024}})

}}

Turner Max Ward (born April 11, 1965) is an American professional baseball coach and former outfielder. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Cleveland Indians, Toronto Blue Jays, Milwaukee Brewers, Pittsburgh Pirates, Arizona Diamondbacks, and Philadelphia Phillies from 1990 to 2001. He most recently served as the hitting coach for the St. Louis Cardinals from 2023 to 2024.

Personal life

Turner Ward attended his first Major League Baseball game on September 10, 1973, alongside his older brother Wes and their father James. Ward later stated that watching Hank Aaron hit his 710th home run inspired him to pursue professional baseball.{{cite news |last1=Denton |first1=John |title=Turner Ward in right place, right time for baseball history ... twice! |url=https://www.mlb.com/braves/news/turner-ward-witnesses-hank-aaron-albert-pujols-hit-milestone-home-runs |access-date=January 27, 2025 |publisher=MLB.com |date=January 26, 2025}}

Ward met his future wife Donna when both were teenagers. They married in 1988.{{cite news |title=Turner Ward coaching Cardinals’ hitters without mind being someplace else now that wife Donna is free of cancer |url=https://www.ksdk.com/article/sports/mlb/stl-cardinals/cardinals-coach-turner-ward-wife-cancer-battle/63-6974fa5e-a0ef-4fa9-aa35-3ae06c044fe9 |access-date=January 27, 2025 |publisher=KSDK |date=March 28, 2022}} She was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2012, published a book about her cancer-related experiences in 2020, and was in remission from 2022.{{cite news |last1=Walsh |first1=Devon |title=Wife of local baseball star writes book about private cancer battle |url=https://www.wkrg.com/whats-working/wife-of-local-baseball-star-writes-book-about-private-cancer-battle/ |access-date=January 27, 2025 |publisher=WKRG |date=August 7, 2020}}

In 1999, Ward invested in the Diamond Players Club Clermont.{{cite news |title=WHO’S BACKING DIAMOND PLAYERS? SOME MAJOR LEAGUE TALENT |url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/1999/08/15/whos-backing-diamond-players-some-major-league-talent/ |access-date=January 28, 2025 |work=Orlando Sentinel |date=August 15, 1998}}

Ward was inducted into the Mobile Sports Hall of Fame in 2007.Hicks, Tommy. "[http://www.al.com/sports/mobileregister/index.ssf?/base/sports/1176714921158120.xml&coll=3 Play defines Ward]", the Press-Register, published April 16, 2007, accessed April 18, 2007.

Playing career

=Cleveland Indians (1990–1991)=

Ward was originally drafted by the New York Yankees in the 18th round of the 1986 Major League Baseball draft. On March 19, 1989, the Yankees traded Ward and Joel Skinner to the Cleveland Indians in exchange for Mel Hall.{{cite news |title=The New York Yankees Sunday acquired outfielder Mel Hall... |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1989/03/19/The-New-York-Yankees-Sunday-acquired-outfielder-Mel-Hall/1417606286800/ |access-date=January 26, 2025 |agency=United Press International |date=March 19, 1989}}

Ward made his Major League Baseball debut with the Indians on September 10, 1990, as he went 0–for–4 while playing in right field in a 6–2 loss to the Chicago White Sox. On September 12, Ward earned his first career hit off Steve Rosenberg of the White Sox. In his third career game on September 15, Ward went 3–for–5 with a triple, home run and six RBI in a 14–6 win over the Kansas City Royals. Ward hit his first career home run off Andy McGaffigan.{{cite news |title=Cleveland 14, Royals 6 |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1990/09/15/Cleveland-14-Royals-6/2022365531067/ |access-date=January 27, 2025 |agency=United Press International |date=September 15, 1990}} Ward finished the season with a .348 batting average with one home run and 10 RBI in 14 games with Cleveland.

Ward began the 1991 season as the Indians starting right fielder, however, he got off to a slow start, batting .230 with no home runs and 5 RBI in 40 games. On June 27, the Indians traded Ward and Tom Candiotti to the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for Denis Boucher, Glenallen Hill, Mark Whiten, and cash.{{cite news |title=Indians trade Candiotti to Jays |url=https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1991/06/28/indians-trade-candiotti-to-jays/ |access-date=January 27, 2025 |work=Tampa Bay Times |date=June 28, 1991}}{{cite news |title=INDIANS TRADE CANDIOTTI, WARD TO BLUE JAYS |url=https://www.deseret.com/1991/6/27/18928034/indians-trade-candiotti-ward-to-blue-jays/ |access-date=January 27, 2025 |work=Deseret News |date=June 27, 1991}}{{cite news |title=BASEBALL; 6-Player Deal Sends Candiotti to Jays |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/06/28/sports/baseball-6-player-deal-sends-candiotti-to-jays.html |access-date=January 27, 2025 |work=The New York Times |agency=Associated Press |date=June 28, 1991}}

=Toronto Blue Jays (1991–1993)=

Ward spent most of his time with the Toronto Blue Jays' Triple–A affiliate, the Syracuse Chiefs of the International League, however, he was a September call-up, and in eight games with Toronto, Ward hit .308 with no home runs and two RBI in 13 at–bats.

Ward once again saw very limited action in 1992 with Toronto, playing in 18 games, where he hit .345 with one home run and three RBI. He did not play in any playoff games as Toronto won the 1992 World Series.

During the 1993 season, Ward advocated for more playing time.{{cite news |last1=Holtzmann |first1=Jerome |title=MEET THE MOST SURPRISING OF THE SURPRISING BREWERS |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1994/04/28/meet-the-most-surprising-of-the-surprising-brewers/ |access-date=January 27, 2025 |work=Chicago Tribune}} As a result, he got into 72 games with the Blue Jays. However, he struggled offensively, batting .192 with four home runs and 28 RBI. He did not play in the postseason, as the Blue Jays repeated as champions by winning the 1993 World Series.

=Milwaukee Brewers (1994–1996)=

On November 24, 1993, Ward was selected by the Milwaukee Brewers off waivers.{{cite news |title=AROUND THE MAJOR LEAGUES |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1993/11/25/around-the-major-leagues/74afb768-cf3d-454d-a38b-e1c07f2239b3/ |access-date=January 27, 2025 |work=Washington Post |date=November 23, 1993}}

Ward became an everyday player with the Milwaukee Brewers during the 1994 season, splitting his time between all three outfield positions with the club. He played in 102 games, batting .232 with nine home runs and 45 RBI before the season was cut short due to the 1994 MLB strike.

Ward saw his playing time decrease rapidly in 1995, as he played in only 44 games, batting .264 with four home runs and 16 RBI with the Brewers.

Ward began the 1996 season in a 1-for-20 slump.{{cite news |title=Ward's Glove Takes Back Seat To His Suddenly Hot Bat |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB830473138885951500 |access-date=January 28, 2025 |work=Wall Street Journal |date=April 25, 1996}} He played in 43 games, hitting only .179 with two home runs and 10 RBI. On November 1, the Brewers released Ward.

=Pittsburgh Pirates (1997–1999)=

Ward signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates on April 22, 1997, and had a very productive season as the team's fourth outfielder, as he played in 71 games, batting .353 with seven home runs and 33 RBI.

On May 3, 1998, Ward broke through the right field wall at Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh while chasing a fly ball.{{cite news |last1=Reid |first1=Jason |title=Wall Is No Barrier for Ward on Catch |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-may-04-sp-46294-story.html |access-date=January 27, 2025 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=May 4, 1998}} The spectacular catch that resulted was a staple of TV highlight shows for the rest of the year.{{cite news |last1=Mackey |first1=Jason |title=Turner Ward promised he'd run through a wall to make a catch for Pirates — and then actually did |url=https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/pirates/2023/12/03/pirates-turner-ward-run-through-wall/stories/202311280091 |access-date=January 27, 2025 |work=Pittsburgh Post Gazette |date=December 3, 2023}} Ward played in a career high 123 games during the season, batting .262 with nine home runs and 46 RBI.

Ward began the 1999 season with Pittsburgh, however, he struggled to a .209 batting average with no home runs and eight RBI in 49 games with the Pirates. After Ward finished his rehabilitation from a knee injury in the minor leagues, on August 11, the club released him.{{cite news |title=ROBINSON UNDERGOES PROSTATE SURGERY |url=https://greensboro.com/robinson-undergoes-prostate-surgery/article_fc554701-dba8-5724-a00a-0a90a614b36b.html |access-date=January 28, 2025 |work=Greensboro News and Record |date=August 11, 1999}}{{cite news |title=Bucs Edge Reds In Ninth |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/bucs-edge-reds-in-ninth/ |access-date=January 28, 2025 |publisher=CBS News |date=August 12, 1999}}

=Arizona Diamondbacks (1999–2000)=

On August 18, 1999, Ward signed with the Arizona Diamondbacks, helping the club win the NL West with a .348 batting average with two home runs and seven RBI in 10 games. In the 1999 NLDS against the New York Mets, Ward played in three games, getting two at–bats, where he had a home run and three RBI, however, the D-Backs lost the series.

In 2000, Ward hit .173 with no home runs and four RBI with Arizona in 15 games. On October 5, he was released by the Diamondbacks organization.

=Philadelphia Phillies (2001)=

On December 20, 2000, Ward signed with the Philadelphia Phillies,{{cite news |title=Transactions |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/12/21/sports/transactions-092975.html |access-date=January 28, 2025 |work=The New York Times |date=December 21, 2000}} and in the 2001 season, Ward played in 17 games with the club, batting .267 with no home runs and two RBI. On October 8, he was granted free agency, and subsequently retired from professional baseball.

=Major league career (1990–2001)=

Ward played in 12 seasons during his Major League Baseball career, appearing in 626 games, as he had a .251 batting average with 39 home runs and 219 RBI. Ward had 389 career hits, and stole 33 bases. Defensively, he recorded a .988 fielding percentage playing at all three outfield positions. He was a member of the 1992 and 1993 World Series champions, the Toronto Blue Jays.

Coaching career

=State College Spikes=

Ward managed the State College Spikes of the New York–Penn League in 2007,{{cite news |title=Spikes New Coaching Staff Includes Former Pirates Player |url=https://www.statecollege.com/articles/local-news/spikes-new-coaching-staff-includes-former-pirates-player/ |access-date=January 27, 2025 |publisher=StateCollege.com |date=November 30, 2006}} leading the club to a 36–39 record, as the club finished in third place in the Pinckney Division.

=Mobile BayBears=

Ward became the manager of the Mobile BayBears, the Arizona Diamondbacks' Double–A affiliate in the Southern League, in the 2011 season.{{cite news |last1=Hicks |first1=Tommy |title=Mobile native Turner Ward selected to manage BayBears in 2011 |url=https://www.al.com/sports/2010/12/mobile_native_turner_ward_sele.html |access-date=January 25, 2025 |publisher=AL.com |date=December 13, 2010}}{{cite news |title=Turner Ward Named BayBears Manager |url=https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-16313170 |access-date=January 27, 2025 |publisher=MILB.com |date=December 13, 2010}} Ward coached the BayBears for two seasons, 2011 and 2012, leading the team to two consecutive Southern League championships.{{cite news |last1=Inabinett |first1=Mark |title=Mobile memories run deep as Turner Ward leaves BayBears for Arizona Diamondbacks |url=https://www.al.com/sports/2012/12/mobile_memories_run_deep_as_tu.html |access-date=January 28, 2025 |publisher=AL.com |date=December 20, 2012}} For this accomplishment, Ward was inducted into the Southern League Hall of Fame in 2015.{{cite news |title=Turner Ward Named to Southern League Hall of Fame |url=https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-116774368 |access-date=27 January 2025 |publisher=MILB.com |date=April 7, 2015}}

=Arizona Diamondbacks=

In 2013, Ward became an assistant hitting coach for the Arizona Diamondbacks.{{cite news |title=Turner Ward promoted to Arizona |url=https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-40752026 |access-date=January 27, 2025 |publisher=MILB.com |date=December 19, 2012}} Notably, he was thrown out of the game during a massive brawl between the Diamondbacks and the Dodgers on June 11, 2013.[https://www.al.com/sports/2013/06/blast_from_the_past_mark_mcgwi.html Blast from the past: Mark McGwire, Kirk Gibson, Matt Williams, Turner Ward, Don Mattingly involved in bench-clearing brawl Tuesday (video) | AL.com]{{cite news |last1=McCollough |first1=Andy |title=J.P. Howell and Turner Ward bury the hatchet over 2013 Dodgers-Diamondbacks brawl |url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/dodgers/la-sp-dodgers-howell-ward-20160305-story.html |access-date=January 28, 2025 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=March 5, 2016}} He became full-time hitting coach in 2014,{{cite news |last1=Gilbert |first1=Steve |title=D-backs announce coaching moves, promotions |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/dave-mckay-joins-diamondbacks-as-club-announces-coaching-moves/c-63621946 |access-date=January 27, 2025 |publisher=MLB.com |date=November 1, 2013}}{{cite news |title=Former Mobile BayBears managers will man coaching positions on Arizona Diamondbacks' staff |url=https://www.al.com/sports/2014/10/former_mobile_baybears_manager.html |access-date=January 27, 2025 |publisher=AL.com |date=October 16, 2013}} and left the team after the 2015 season.{{cite news |last1=Gleeman |first1=Aaron |title=Hitting coach Turner Ward leaves the Diamondbacks |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/mlb/news/hitting-coach-turner-ward-leaves-the-diamondbacks |publisher=NBC Sports |date=November 11, 2015}}{{cite news |last1=Piecoro |first1=Nick |title=Hitting coach Turner Ward leaving Diamondbacks |url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/mlb/diamondbacks/2015/11/10/hitting-coach-turner-ward-leaving-diamondbacks/75557710/ |access-date=January 27, 2025 |work=Arizona Republic |date=November 10, 2015}}

=Los Angeles Dodgers=

Ward became the hitting coach for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2016.{{cite web|url=http://dodgers.mlblogs.com/2015/12/17/dodgers-name-coaches-for-2016/|title=Dodgers name coaches for 2016|first=Jon|last=Weisman|date=December 17, 2015|access-date=December 17, 2015|work=Dodgers.com}}

=Cincinnati Reds=

On November 6, 2018, Ward was named the new hitting coach of the Cincinnati Reds.{{cite news |last1=Jablonski |first1=David |title=Dodgers hitting coach takes same position with Reds |url=https://www.daytondailynews.com/sports/dodgers-hitting-coach-takes-same-position-with-reds/3l303wJjZTLfiz2eTuZNaK/ |access-date=January 27, 2025 |work=Dayton Daily News |date=November 6, 2018}}{{cite news |last1=Gurnick |first1=Ken |title=Hitting coach Ward departs Dodgers for Reds |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/la-hitting-coach-turner-ward-hired-by-reds-c300312324 |access-date=January 27, 2025 |publisher=MLB.com |date=November 6, 2018}}

On October 1, 2019, the Cincinnati Reds announced that Ward would not be retained.{{cite news |last1=Fay |first1=John |title=Cincinnati Reds part ways with hitting coach Turner Ward; hire Driveline founder Kyle Boddy |url=https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/mlb/reds/2019/10/01/cincinnati-reds-fire-hitting-coach-turner-ward-after-1-season/3830494002/ |access-date=January 27, 2025 |work=Cincinnati Enquirer |date=October 1, 2019}}

=St. Louis Cardinals=

On November 15, 2021, the St. Louis Cardinals hired Ward to be their assistant hitting coach.{{cite news |title=Cardinals name Ward assistant hitting coach to complete 2022 staff |url=https://www.stltoday.com/sports/baseball/professional/cardinals-name-ward-assistant-hitting-coach-to-complete-2022-staff/article_c2fc421e-4f47-5a90-9247-c53f7e4c897b.html#tracking-source=home-top-story-1 |access-date=16 November 2021 |agency=St. Louis Post-Dispatch}} On November 6, 2022, the Cardinals announced the promotion of Ward to hitting coach.{{cite news |title=Cards set '23 coaching staff, with Holliday as bench coach |url=https://www.mlb.com/cardinals/news/cardinals-announce-2023-major-league-coaching-staff |access-date=6 November 2022 |date=6 November 2022}} On October 4, 2024, Ward and the Cardinals parted ways.{{Cite web|title=Turner Ward out as Cardinals hitting coach after struggles in 2024: sources|url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5818341/2024/10/04/cardinals-hitting-coach-turner-ward-out/|access-date=October 4, 2024|work=The New York Times|language=en}}{{cite news |last1=Denton |first1=John |title=Cardinals relieve hitting coach Turner of duties for 2025 |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/turner-ward-cardinals-hitting-coach-not-returning-in-2025 |access-date=January 27, 2025 |publisher=MLB.com |date=October 4, 2024}}

References

External links

{{baseballstats|mlb=123930|espn=2435|br=w/wardtu01|fangraphs=1013625|brm=ward--001tur|retro=W/Pwardt001}}

{{succession box|title=Arizona Diamondbacks hitting coach|before=Don Baylor|years={{Baseball year|2013}}–{{Baseball year|2015}}|after=Dave Magadan}}

{{succession box|title=Los Angeles Dodgers Hitting Coach||before=Mark McGwire|years={{Baseball year|2016}}–{{Baseball year|2018}}|after=Robert Van Scoyoc}}

{{succession box|title=Cincinnati Reds hitting coach|before=Don Long|years={{Baseball year|2019}}|after=Alan Zinter}}

Category:1965 births

Category:Living people

Category:Altoona Curve players

Category:American expatriate baseball players in Canada

Category:Arizona Diamondbacks coaches

Category:Arizona Diamondbacks players

Category:Baseball players from Alabama

Category:Baseball players from Florida

Category:Beloit Snappers players

Category:Calgary Cannons players

Category:Canton-Akron Indians players