Port Authority cop, ex-MLB pitcher, dies in wrong-way crash on way to 9/11 event

On Sunday, in a tragic incident near the Holland Tunnel, a former Major League Baseball pitcher who later became a Port Authority police officer was killed in a wrong-way crash while serving at the 9/11 ceremony at the World Trade Center.

Tributes are pouring in for Anthony Varvaro, a 37-year-old who grew up in Westerleigh on Staten Island and played six seasons as a professional baseball player after being a standout at St. John’s career collegiate.

Varvaro retired from the Boston Red Sox and the Atlanta Braves in 2016 after serving with the Seattle Mariners and the Police Authority Port Department.

The crash occurred at around 4:25 a.M. On the New Jersey Turnpike Hudson Bay Extension East at milepost 6.7 in Jersey City. According to the police, Henry Plazas, a 30-year-old resident of Bridgewater, was driving in the wrong direction (west) on the eastbound lanes when he collided head-on with Varvano’s Nissan Maxima.

Both motorists lost their lives.

Coach Mike Hampton, the head baseball coach of St. John’s, conveyed his deep sorrow and inability to articulate words to elucidate Varvaro’s premature demise.

Hampton, who served as an assistant coach at St. John’s throughout Varvaro’s entire tenure, expressed, “Not only did he embody all the qualities one desires in a baseball player, but he also epitomized the ideal traits of a human being.” “I extend my deepest sympathies to his family, friends, colleagues, and fellow law enforcement officers.”

“Port Authority officials, Varvaro, stated that he exemplified the utmost excellence of this agency and will be commemorated for his bravery and dedication to serving others.”

Port Authority Chairman Kevin O’Toole and Executive Director Rick Cotton expressed, “Officer Varvaro’s demise today intensifies our sorrow, particularly as the Port Authority mourns the loss of 84 employees in the attacks on the World Trade Center – which includes 37 members of the Port Authority Police Department – on this solemn occasion.”

In 2005, Varvaro was selected by Seattle in the 12th round, and from 2011 to 2014, he competed for the Mariners in 2010 and the Braves.

The Braves expressed their profound sorrow over the death of former Braves pitcher Anthony Varvaro in a statement. They also conveyed their thoughts and prayers to his family and colleagues.

An elbow injury in his right pitching arm, which was revealed after testing, was caused by season-ending surgery. The Chicago Cubs acquired him off waivers from Boston in May 2015, but later returned him to the Red Sox. He threw 11 innings for Boston early in the 2015 season and was traded to the Red Sox in late 2014.

Throughout his major league career, he amassed a single save, achieved 150 strikeouts, and maintained an earned run average of 3.23. These impressive statistics were accumulated over the course of 166 games, during which he pitched a total of 183 innings.

In 2016, he appeared in 18 games for Boston’s top minor league affiliate before retiring in June and beginning his police training.

During his time playing in the major leagues, Varvaro expressed his interest in pursuing a career in law enforcement at the Port Authority, as he revealed to The Torch, the student newspaper, in December 2016. He completed his studies in criminal justice at St. John’s University and obtained his degree in 2005.

“He informed the newspaper,” he expressed, “I had participated in numerous seasons, and I was content transitioning to the subsequent phase of my life. I reckoned that I had quite a prosperous tenure in baseball.”

Varvaro said that before transferring to the Port Authority Police Academy, the police officer was assigned to patrol for nearly five years and became an instructor in December 2016.

He also collaborated with young baseball players in the Little League.

Please hold his family in your thoughts and prayers. Not only was Anthony the President, but he was also an exceptional individual. The Snug Harbor LL community is profoundly saddened by the departure of Anthony. “We regretfully inform you of the loss of our President, Friend, Coach, Husband, and Father Anthony Varvaro,” Sailor’s Snug Harbor Little League expressed.

He leaves a wife and four children behind.

The wakes for Varvaro will be held at Matthew Funeral Home on Victory Boulevard in Staten Island, with the timings being 4 p.M. To 7 p.M. On Tuesday and 2 p.M. To 5 p.M. And 7 p.M. To 9 p.M. On Wednesday.

Burial will take place at St Peter’s Cemetery on Tyler Avenue, accompanied by a funeral Mass scheduled for 10:30 a.M. Thursday at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church on Austin Place.

(The Associated Press contributed to this report).Output: (The Associated Press contributed to this article).