Gary Varsho
Encyclopedia
Gary Andrew Varsho is a former Major League Baseball
player, formerly serving as a coach
for the Pittsburgh Pirates
. He is an alumnus of the University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh.
in the fifth round of the 1982 June draft
as a second baseman
and made his big league debut with the Cubs on July 9, 1988. Primarily an outfielder during his playing career, Varsho played 14 years of professional baseball, including eight seasons in the majors leagues with the Cubs (1988–90), Pittsburgh Pirates
(1991–92, 1994), Cincinnati Reds
(1993) and Philadelphia Phillies
(1995).
During his career with the Pirates, Varsho appeared in the 1991 National League Championship Series
and the 1992 National League Championship Series
, going 2-for-4 in four combined games. His first major league hit came off Ed Whitson
on July 9, 1988 against the San Diego Padres
and he connected off Shawn Boskie
for his first big league home run on July 2, 1992 at Wrigley Field
.
Varsho was the Phillies bench coach from 2002–2006 and was interim manager for the last two games of the 2004 season after Larry Bowa
was fired. Varsho was fired as the bench coach for the Pittsburgh Pirates
on August 8, 2010.
. Where he a bachelor's degree
in physical education in 1989.
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
player, formerly serving as a coach
Coach (baseball)
In baseball, a number of coaches assist in the smooth functioning of a team. They are assistants to the manager, or head coach, who determines the lineup and decides how to substitute players during the game...
for the Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
. He is an alumnus of the University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh.
Career
Varsho was originally selected by the Chicago CubsChicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
in the fifth round of the 1982 June draft
1982 Major League Baseball Draft
-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1982 Major League Baseball draft.- Other notable players :*Barry Bonds was drafted by the Giants in the 2nd round of the 1982 amateur draft, but did not sign...
as a second baseman
Second baseman
Second base, or 2B, is the second of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a base runner in order to score a run for that player's team. A second baseman is the baseball player guarding second base...
and made his big league debut with the Cubs on July 9, 1988. Primarily an outfielder during his playing career, Varsho played 14 years of professional baseball, including eight seasons in the majors leagues with the Cubs (1988–90), Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
(1991–92, 1994), Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
(1993) and Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
(1995).
During his career with the Pirates, Varsho appeared in the 1991 National League Championship Series
1991 National League Championship Series
-Game 1:Wednesday, October 9, 1991 at Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh, PennsylvaniaThe Pirates proved they would be tough to eliminate early when they stifled the Braves offense behind 1990 Cy Young Award winner Doug Drabek and won the first game 5–1...
and the 1992 National League Championship Series
1992 National League Championship Series
-Game 1:Tuesday, October 6, 1992 at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium in Atlanta, GeorgiaA rather uneventful opening to what would prove to be a memorable series, Game 1 was an easy win for the Braves. Atlanta scored four early runs, highlighted by Jeff Blauser's fifth-inning homer, and coasted to...
, going 2-for-4 in four combined games. His first major league hit came off Ed Whitson
Ed Whitson
Eddie Lee Whitson is a former Major League Baseball pitcher best remembered for his short and turbulent stint with the New York Yankees in the mid 1980s. He batted and threw right-handed.-Pittsburgh Pirates:...
on July 9, 1988 against the San Diego Padres
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
and he connected off Shawn Boskie
Shawn Boskie
Shawn Kealoha Boskie is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played from to . He was drafted by the Chicago Cubs, 10th overall in the 1986 Major League Baseball Draft....
for his first big league home run on July 2, 1992 at Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field is a baseball stadium in Chicago, Illinois, United States that has served as the home ballpark of the Chicago Cubs since 1916. It was built in 1914 as Weeghman Park for the Chicago Federal League baseball team, the Chicago Whales...
.
Varsho was the Phillies bench coach from 2002–2006 and was interim manager for the last two games of the 2004 season after Larry Bowa
Larry Bowa
Lawrence Robert Bowa is a former middle infielder, playing mainly as a shortstop, and manager in Major League Baseball.-Early life:...
was fired. Varsho was fired as the bench coach for the Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
on August 8, 2010.
Personal
Varsho is married, his wife's name is Kay and the couple has three children, daughters Andie and Taylor born October 19, 1991 and April 12, 1994 respectively, and son Daulton born July 2, 1996. Varsho attended Marshfield High School in Wisconsin graduating in 1979, after which he attended University of Wisconsin-OshkoshUniversity of Wisconsin-Oshkosh
The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a public university in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, USA. It is part of the University of Wisconsin System and offers both bachelor and master degrees...
. Where he a bachelor's degree
Bachelor's degree
A bachelor's degree is usually an academic degree awarded for an undergraduate course or major that generally lasts for three or four years, but can range anywhere from two to six years depending on the region of the world...
in physical education in 1989.