Duane Ward Talks Baseball in Oxford County

Wednesday, 14 November 2012 04:29

While Toronto Blue Jays fans wait for the official announcement on their blockbuster trade with Miami, one former Blue Jays isn't ready to crown them champions yet. Former Toronto Blue Jays closer Duane Ward came to Woodstock last night. Ward spoke to a group of baseball coaches and league directors at Craigowan Golf and Country Club. Woodstock Minor Ball played host to this year's Intercounty Baseball AGM. Heart FM had a chance to ask Duane his thoughts on the Blue Jays big trade. "The picking up of Johnson and Buehrle, I mean that right there to me is a huge step. That's where I think the team was hurting the most, was in the starting rotation. It's going to benefit Ricky (Romero), and it's going to benefit Brandon (Morrow), you know it's going to move them down the ladder...and it's going to put them in some great situations." Toronto and the Miami Marlins are on the verge of a blockbuster deal that would see the Jays acquiring starting pitchers Mark Buehrle and Josh Johnson as well as short-stop Jose Reyes from Miami. The Marlins would get Yunel Escobar, Henderson Alvarez and several Jays prospects. Reports today suggested the key players involved were taking physicals before the deal goes through. The trade is immediately boosting the hopes of Blue Jays fans, and is drawing major attention to the team amongst national sports media. But Ward says those players have to come in and perform before people start crowning the Jays AL East Champions. "They all gotta come in here and play. They're coming into a tough division. You know they're a 15-1 favourite now to win the World Series...before we start closing off Yonge St. and everything else, we gotta see these guys play and perform and they've gotta produce. That's the bottom line, and that's something I think these guys will do." Ward is the Blue Jays franchise leader for saves in a single season with 45. Heart FM's Adam Nyp got a chance to speak 1-on-1 with Ward. Click here to hear the full interview. Ward talks about his dedication to Canadian baseball, and what it's like to be traded, along with additional thoughts on the big trade.