Turner Max Ward - 1996

Turner was born April 11, 1965 in Mobile and grew up there.  Turner is a graduate of Satsuma High School.  He, his wife Donna, and son Tucker currently reside in Satsuma.  During his baseball career at Satsuma, Turner participated in the Babe Ruth World Series and was named to the East West All Star Team. Turner’s sports were not limited to baseball.  He also played basketball and football at Satsuma.  Turner signed a baseball scholarship with Faulkner State in 1984.  He was an outstanding player for the Sun Chiefs leading the 1985 team to a national ranking. 

Turner set team records in every aspect of baseball while at Faulkner.  He had the most doubles in a single season at 19, the most triples in a single season at 8, and a career batting average of .448.  In his two years at Faulkner he stole 72 bases.  He was named to the 1984 and 1985 All-Division Team, the 1984 and 1985 All-Region XXII team, the 1985 All-Southeast District team, and the 1985 All-American 3^rd team. 

He signed a baseball scholarship with the University of South Alabama in 1986 where he batted a .307 with 17 stolen bases and led the nation in assists as an outfielder.  He was drafted into professional baseball in the 18^th round by the New York Yankees.  In the spring if 1989 he was traded to the Cleveland Indians and broke in the major leagues in the spring of 1990 with Cleveland.  He was traded to Toronto Blue jays in 1991.  During his three seasons as a left and right fielder with the Blue Jays he helped the team win two World Championships.  Turner has spent the last two seasons and is currently playing with the Milwaukee Brewers. 

Turner and his family are extremely active in the communities where they reside.  In Toronto, Turner was extensively involved with volunteer and charity work with the Children’s Hospital. In Milwaukee his community involvements centered around helping underprivileged children attend games by providing transportation and meals.  Locally, Turner is also involved in the “Stay in School and Say No to Drugs” program by speaking at schools and churches.  He and his wife have founded the WHIZ Kids, Inc. which is a tutoring center for kids of all ages. 

Turner is the son of Fr. James M. Ward and Mrs. Turner Ward.  He has four brother; Wes, Wade, Jay and Lance (All of whom have attended Faulkner State) and one sister Jodi.