Pete Ward
Born: 7/26/1937 in Montreal, QC, CAN
Died: 3/16/2022 in Lake Oswego, OR, USA
MLB Debut: 1962-09-21 | Final Game: 1970-09-25
Bats: L | Throws: R | Height: 6'1" | Weight: 185 lbs
Full name: Peter Thomas Ward
Biography
Pete Ward, born in 1937, was a notable position player in Major League Baseball, whose career spanned from 1962 to 1970. He made a significant impact during a transitional period in the sport, as baseball was moving away from the deadball era into a time of greater offensive production. Ward played in a total of 973 games, recording 776 hits, which included 98 home runs and 427 runs batted in. His career batting average stood at .254, complemented by 20 stolen bases, reflecting his ability not only to hit for power but also to contribute on the base paths.
In 1963, Ward was honored as the TSN Rookie Player of the Year, a testament to his immediate impact in the league. He showcased a versatile skill set that made him a valuable asset to his teams, often characterized by a balanced approach at the plate and a solid defensive presence. Throughout his career, Ward played for several teams, leaving a lasting legacy as a player who helped pave the way for future generations in a rapidly evolving game. His contributions during the late 1960s remain a significant part of his team's histories and the broader narrative of baseball during that era.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 973 | 3060 | 345 | 776 | 136 | 17 | 98 | 427 | 20 | 371 | 539 | 0.254 | 0.339 | 0.405 | 0.744 | 6714.8 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1962 | BAL | AL | 8 | 21 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 5 | 0.143 | 0.0 |
| 1963 | CHW | AL | 157 | 600 | 80 | 177 | 34 | 6 | 22 | 84 | 7 | 52 | 77 | 0.295 | 2548.7 |
| 1964 | CHW | AL | 144 | 539 | 61 | 152 | 28 | 3 | 23 | 94 | 1 | 56 | 76 | 0.282 | 1923.6 |
| 1965 | CHW | AL | 138 | 507 | 62 | 125 | 25 | 3 | 10 | 57 | 2 | 56 | 83 | 0.247 | 259.9 |
| 1966 | CHW | AL | 84 | 251 | 22 | 55 | 7 | 1 | 3 | 28 | 3 | 24 | 49 | 0.219 | -653.1 |
| 1967 | CHW | AL | 146 | 467 | 49 | 109 | 16 | 2 | 18 | 62 | 3 | 61 | 109 | 0.233 | 1006.5 |
| 1968 | CHW | AL | 125 | 399 | 43 | 86 | 15 | 0 | 15 | 50 | 4 | 76 | 85 | 0.216 | 1304.5 |
| 1969 | CHW | AL | 105 | 199 | 22 | 49 | 7 | 0 | 6 | 32 | 0 | 33 | 38 | 0.246 | 332.5 |
| 1970 | NYY | AL | 66 | 77 | 5 | 20 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 18 | 0 | 9 | 17 | 0.260 | -7.9 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1B | 113 | 95 | 802 | 57 | 4 | 61 |
| 2B | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 3B | 562 | 538 | 470 | 1182 | 97 | 87 |
| OF | 185 | 176 | 239 | 9 | 2 | 2 |
| SS | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1962 | BAL | OF | 6 | 6 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1963 | CHA | 2B | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1963 | CHA | 3B | 154 | 154 | 156 | 302 | 38 | 27 |
| 1963 | CHA | SS | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 1964 | CHA | 3B | 138 | 138 | 126 | 309 | 19 | 24 |
| 1965 | CHA | 2B | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1965 | CHA | 3B | 134 | 131 | 97 | 319 | 21 | 22 |
| 1966 | CHA | 1B | 5 | 3 | 19 | 5 | 1 | 2 |
| 1966 | CHA | 3B | 16 | 12 | 10 | 34 | 1 | 3 |
| 1966 | CHA | OF | 59 | 57 | 83 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
| 1967 | CHA | 1B | 39 | 35 | 295 | 19 | 2 | 23 |
| 1967 | CHA | 3B | 22 | 13 | 7 | 33 | 4 | 3 |
| 1967 | CHA | OF | 89 | 85 | 107 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| 1968 | CHA | 1B | 31 | 27 | 238 | 18 | 0 | 17 |
| 1968 | CHA | 3B | 77 | 73 | 59 | 151 | 12 | 7 |
| 1968 | CHA | OF | 22 | 19 | 28 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 1969 | CHA | 1B | 25 | 20 | 167 | 12 | 1 | 12 |
| 1969 | CHA | 3B | 21 | 17 | 15 | 34 | 2 | 1 |
| 1969 | CHA | OF | 9 | 9 | 11 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 1970 | NYA | 1B | 13 | 10 | 83 | 3 | 0 | 7 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| First Base | 113 |
| Second Base | 2 |
| Third Base | 561 |
| Shortstop | 1 |
| Left Field | 139 |
| Right Field | 56 |
Awards & Honors
| Year | Award | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1963 | TSN Rookie Player of the Year |
College History
| School Name | City | State | Years Attended |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lewis and Clark College | Portland | OR | 1956, 1957, 1958 |
Award Voting History
| Year | Award | League | Finish | Points Won | Points Max | Votes First |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1964 | Most Valuable Player | AL | 6th | 67.0 | 280 | 0 |
| 1963 | Most Valuable Player | AL | 9th | 52.0 | 280 | 0 |
| 1963 | Rookie of the Year | AL | 2nd | 6.0 | 20 | 6 |