Jay Ward

John Francis "Jay" Ward (September 9, 1938 – February 24, 2012) was a Major League Baseball player and coach. He was also a manager in the minor leagues. Early life Ward was born on September 9, 1938, in Brookfield, Missouri, to John and Francis Ward. He graduated from Highland High School in Highland, Illinois, in 1956. Playing career Ward signed with the New York Yankees in . In his first professional season with the Kearney Yankees of the Nebraska State League, Ward batted .331 with seven home runs and earned All-League honors. Two of those seven home runs were grand slams hit in consecutive innings on August 17. He was plucked from the Yankees' farm system in the minor league draft by the Kansas City Athletics. It was as a member of their organization that Ward put together his finest minor league season. As a member of the Southern Association's Shreveport Sports in , Ward batted .257 with 22 home runs and 84 runs batted in.