Former big league reliever Anthony Varvaro died in a car accident this morning, according to multiple media reports. The 37-year-old Varvaro became a New York/New Jersey Port Authority police officer after retiring from baseball, and the car accident took place while he was heading for duty at the September 11th memorial service today in downtown New York City.
A Staten Island native, Varvaro’s pro baseball career began when the Mariners selected him in the 12th round of the 2005 draft. Varvaro made his big league debut with the Mariners in 2010, and then spent the next four seasons pitching with the Braves before tossing 11 innings with the Red Sox in 2015, his final MLB season.
Varvaro had some very solid numbers in the majors, posting a 3.23 ERA over 183 2/3 career innings. He emerged as a workhorse in Atlanta’s bullpen in 2013-14, with 123 appearances and 128 innings over those two seasons (with an impressive 2.74 ERA). The Red Sox acquired him during the 2014-15 offseason, though his work in 2015 and a would-be trade to the Cubs were both cut short by flexor tendon surgery. After pitching with Boston’s Triple-A affiliate in 2016, Varvaro then decided to retire at age 31, and pursue a new career in law enforcement.
A GoFundMe has been established for Varvaro’s family. We at MLB Trade Rumors send our condolences to Varvaro’s family, friends, and colleagues.
Wow, awful.
Very sad…his poor family must be devastated.
It’s always the good ones that go too early… scum always manages to survive like cockroaches.
Rip Varvaro
Killed driving to attend a 911 ceremony.
Man life isn’t fair
What a horrible scenario, irony at it’s worst.
RIP
Good Lord, this is not supposed to happen May Anthony Varvaro Rest in Peace
Killed by someone driving the wrong way on the NJ Turnpike. Unbelievable. RIP.
Seriously? Driving the wrong way? Were they drunk?
Harry Chapin was killed on the NJ Turnpike.
Harry Chapin was on the Long island Expressway.
You’re correct, I got a ticket on the NJ turnpike, I’m dazed & confused
You have to be a moron to drive the wrong way on the turnpike. It’s nearly impossible.
This shouldn’t have happened to such a great person on his way to remember a tragedy
That’s just so sad man. RIP Anthony
He was a good pitcher
RIP Anthony
Good Americans still losing their lives because “some people did something”.
RIP Tony.
That is incredibly sad. RIP Anthony.
Can we just pay our respects to a fine pitcher who died too young, offer condolences to those who mourn his death, and dispense with the incessant political crap? This country has turned into a collective third grade with the teacher out of the room.
If they close comments on the juicer and domestic violence threads they should have closed them on this one too Fink. As to avoid the very thing you speak of. Some people have not one iota of decency.
Nah. Comments section should never be closed. Let everyone speak. Know where Everyone stands… good, bad, indifferent
Some people should be careful what they say though. They could peeve someone off something terrible and get doxxed.
Well if your takes are civil n proper you have nothing to worry about with doxxing. And if you act out well doxxing is a form of policing.
It’s the internet kinda the Wild West good or bad. And with doxxing most people willing give up their privacy with all the posting oin other media websites posting their entire lives starving to get likes and noticed.
I would be referring to the people that are not civil and proper. They seem to be under the impression they can say things on here with absolute impunity. Just not the case. Some people just won’t stand for it. A lot of good people post on this site.
Again then if your good person posting oin this site regardless of topic you shouldn’t have to worry. Again it is the internet so nothing is ever 100 percent proof. The world we live in now.
Any proponent of censorship is a real piece of work.
Look at you with your dirty potty mouth. Shame on you.
14thor o’l sport, I know you were probably replying to my comment in a haste so I wanted to clarify..When you mention “censorship,” do you think the F word should be spouted on EVERY tv channel for kids to see? Or how about having naughty mags displayed front row center in every grocery store? Is that OK to you? Or are you talking about “other” forms of “censorship?” I won’t hold my breath for a reply…Nothing stops people from saying and doing whatever their little hearts desire EXCEPT one thing…..consequences…Actions surely have consequences friend.
14Thor: Comments are closed on this site on occasion for certain threads. You would consider that “censorship” so you should probably just boycott the site. Stick to your guns ya know? Don’t be a hypocrite afterall. We will understand.
Are you done crying?
3 days later? Get lost.
Always heard he was a great guy during his time in Atlanta. RIP
I remember being surprised when he retired since he still seemed to be effective, even post the surgery, but had forgotten about him until this unfortunate story. A local kid from Staten Island who went to St. John’s, he clearly had a calling to serve his local community, meaning the greater NY area, as an officer.
RIP.
RIP Tony, from a Mariners fan. You were always a good guy. I didn’t know you became a police officer when baseball ended for you. What an inspiration. One which sadly, some of us are only learning because of your tragic death.
Such a shame
RIP
This is awful news. RIP.
Awful and sad. I also wonder if he might have intentionally taken action to stop the wrong way driver, if that’s what was happening.
MLB should recognize that. I know of another ex-ballplayer who went on to law enforcement to a horrible end, Dan Walters.
RIP. My condolences to his family and friends.