Aaron Lee Ward, born on August 28, 1896, in Booneville, rose from humble, small town beginnings to make a significant impact in Major League Baseball). His journey from Arkansas to the grand stage of Yankee Stadium is a testament to his exceptional talent and unwavering determination.
Born to Thomas "Tom" H. Ward and Mary "Molly" E. Wooten Ward, Ward was one of two children born of the union. The couple also had a daughter, Lucille, who died in 1916 at the age of six months, and was buried in the Carolan Cemetery in Logan County.
Aaron got his initial start in "town ball", playing for a number of teams throughout the region starting at the age of sixteen. It is said he played for a local nine as well as spending time on at least two teams tied to lumber camps and coal mines.
By 1914 he was playing for the Little Rock Travelers and spent the 1916 season with the Montgomery Rebels, where his impressive skills quickly caught the eye of the New York Yankees' scouts.
He made his MLB debut on August 14, 1917, stepping in as a replacement for the injured Roger Peckinpaugh. In his first game,
Ward faced the legendary Walter Johnson of the Washington Senators and managed to get his first career hit, marking the start of a promising career.
Throughout his career, Ward played for the New York Yankees (1917-1926), Chicago White Sox (1927), and Cleveland Indians (1928). Known for his excellent fielding skills, Ward often drew comparisons to baseball greats like Nap Lajoie and Eddie Collins.
His defensive prowess was instrumental in the Yankees' success, contributing to three consecutive American League pennants from 1921 to 1923.
Ward's peak came in 1923 when he was considered one of the most valuable players on the Yankees, second only to Babe Ruth. Despite his defensive brilliance, injuries and struggles with his hitting eventually led to his replacement by Tony Lazzeri in 1926.
Ward played a full season with the Chicago White Sox in 1927 but saw his major league career conclude in 1928 after appearing in just six games for the Cleveland Indians.
Ward's contributions to baseball extended beyond his defensive capabilities. He was a capable hitter with a career batting average of .268, 50 home runs, and 446 runs batted in (RBIs). His leadership on the field made him an invaluable asset to his teams.
One of Ward's most notable achievements came in 1923 when Yankee Stadium opened its doors. In the third inning of the first game on April 18, 1923, Aaron Ward got a leadoff single, marking the first hit in the new Yankee Stadium—a historic moment in baseball history.
After retiring from baseball, Ward settled into a quieter life in New Orleans, Louisiana, where he lived until his death on January 30, 1961.
He was interred in one of the legendary above- ground mausoleums in the Saint Louis Cemetery Number 3 in New Orleans.
Both his parents were buried in the Carolan Cemetery close to his sister. His grandparents, Phillip and Susan Ward are also buried in the same cemetery.
