Turner Ward was a part of two World Series champion teams with the Toronto Blue Jays. Now, he hopes to bring a championship to his hometown. Ward will be introduced as the new manager of the Mobile BayBears Professional Baseball Club (AA Affiliate/Arizona Diamondbacks) as they enter their 15th season at Hank Aaron Stadium in 2011.
Turner, a Satsuma native, has been the hitting coach for the BayBears the past three seasons after serving as manager of the State College Spikes of the Single-A NewYork-Penn League in 2007. Ward also was manager of the Rookie-level Bradenton Pirates in 2006, leading them to a second place finish.
Drafted in the 18th-round of the 1986 Draft by the New York Yankees, Ward attended Faulkner State Junior College and the University of South Alabama, before being drafted by the Yankees. He was a member of the Blue Jays, back-to-back World Series championship teams in 1992 and 1993 and wrapped up his career after 12 seasons with the Phillies in 2001. He played in 626 big-league games for the Indians, Blue Jays, Brewers, Pirates, Diamondbacks and Phillies, compiling a .251 batting average.
Turner's best year was in 1997 with Pittsburgh as he posted a .353 average in 71 games for the Pirates. Ward also has some postseason success on his resume as a member of the Diamondbacks --- belting a two-run homer in Game 3 of the 1999 NLDS against the New York Mets.
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