Daryle Ward was a professional baseball player who played for several teams during his career. He was born on June 27, 1975, in Lynwood, California, and attended high school in Ontario, California. Ward was drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the 15th round of the 1994 Major League Baseball draft but did not sign with the team. Instead, he attended college at Santiago Canyon College in Orange, California, before being drafted again in 1995 by the Houston Astros in the first round.
Ward made his Major League debut with the Astros in 1998 and played for the team until 2002. During his time with the Astros, he was primarily used as a pinch hitter and backup first baseman. In 2003, Ward signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers and played for the team for one season before being traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Ward played for the Pirates from 2004 to 2007 and had some of his best seasons with the team. In 2004, he hit 20 home runs and had 67 RBIs, and in 2005, he hit 12 home runs and had 63 RBIs. In 2006, Ward hit a career-high 22 home runs and had 64 RBIs. He was also named the National League Player of the Week in August of that year.
After leaving the Pirates, Ward played for several other teams, including the Chicago Cubs, Washington Nationals, and Atlanta Braves. He was primarily used as a pinch hitter and backup first baseman during this time.
Ward retired from baseball in 2014 after playing for 16 seasons. Over the course of his career, he hit 90 home runs and had 379 RBIs. He also had a career batting average of .263.
Off the field, Ward was known for his charitable work. He was involved with several organizations, including the Make-A-Wish Foundation and the Boys and Girls Club of America. He also started his own charity, the Daryle Ward Foundation, which aimed to help underprivileged children.
Overall, Daryle Ward had a successful career as a professional baseball player. While he was never a star player, he was a reliable contributor who was known for his power hitting and clutch performances. He was also respected by his teammates and fans for his work ethic and positive attitude.
⚾