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Monday, November 20, 2017

Phillies Missing Links of the 2000s - #5 Turner Ward

#25
Turner Max Ward
Pinch Hitter

During the final season of his 12-year big league career, Turner Ward walked to the plate 17 times for the Phillies but never spent an inning in the field playing defense.  Manager Larry Bowa used Ward to pinch-hit 17 times in 2001, and Ward came through in a handful of those at bats, tallying a double, four hits and a walk.  A non-roster invitee to spring training, Ward began the season with the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barons but was recalled in mid-June.  In his first at-bat, he contributed a two-run single off Orioles reliever Buddy Groom and those were to be his only two RBIs as a Phillie.  Ward was sent back down in early July, earned a quick two-game return back in late July and was designated for assignment on July 27th ending his time with the Phillies.

Prior to his short Phillies career, Ward was a prospect in the Yankees organization before being shipped to the Indians in the March 1989 Joel Skinner/Mel Hall deal.  Ward's best seasons were with the 1994 Brewers (9 home runs, 45 RBIs) and the 1998 Pirates (9 home runs, 46 RBIs).

Bats:  Both  Throws:  Right  Height:  6'2"  Weight:  200
Born:  April 11, 1965, Orlando, FL
Drafted:  Drafted by the New York Yankees in the 18th round of the 1986 amateur player draft.
Major League Teams:  Cleveland Indians 1990-1991; Toronto Blue Jays 1991-1993; Milwaukee Brewers 1994-1996; Pittsburgh Pirates 1997-1999; Arizona Diamondbacks 1999-2000; Phillies 2001
Professional Affiliations:  New York Yankees 1986-1988; Cleveland Indians 1989-1991; Toronto Blue Jays 1991-1993; Milwaukee Brewers 1994-1996; Pittsburgh Pirates 1997-1999; Arizona Diamondbacks 1999-2000; Phillies 2001

Phillies Career
17 games - all as a pinch-hitter, 4 for 15 (.267) with a double, 2 RBIs
Acquired:  Signed as a minor league free agent formerly with the Arizona Diamondbacks organization, December 20, 2000.
Debut:  June 17, 2001 - Pinch hit for Rheal Cormier in the eighth inning, singled to center and drove home Johnny Estrada and Marlon Anderson.
Final Game:  July 27, 2001 - Pinch hit for Cliff Politte and was hit by a pitch by Mets pitcher Steve Trachsel.
Departed:  October 8, 2001 - Granted free agency.

1991 Topps #555
 
1999 Fleer Tradition #547
 
2001 Topps #589
 
2001 Choice Scranton/
Wilkes-Barre Red Barons #28
2 Ward Baseball Cards in My Collection
2001 Choice Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barons #28
2001 Topps #589

Other Baseball Cards
First Mainstream Card:  1991 Bowman #76
First Topps Base Card:  1991 Topps #555
Last Mainstream Card:  2001 Topps Chrome #451
Other Notable Cards:  1988 CMC Columbus Clippers #19, 1993 Donruss #293, 1994 Stadium Club #550, 1999 Fleer Tradition #547

Sources:  Baseball Reference and The Trading Card Database

Phillies Missing Links of the 2000s
1 Kirk Bullinger
2 Chris Pritchett
3 Bryan Ward
4 Mark Holzemer
5 Turner Ward

This is a continuing series looking at those players who spent time with the Phillies but possess no baseball card proof of their time in Philadelphia.  In some cases, the First and Last Mainstream cards listed above have been subjectively chosen if multiple cards were released in that year.

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