CNN
—
A former Major League Baseball pitcher, who retired from the sport to become a New York City area police officer, was killed in a wrongful crash on Sunday, authorities said.
Anthony Varvaro, 37, was on his way to a 9/11 ceremony at the World Trade Center in Manhattan when the crash occurred, the Port Authority Police Charity Association said in a statement.
Varvaro served for about six years as an officer with the Port Authority of New York and the New Jersey Police Department, and previously with the Atlanta Braves, Boston Red Sox and Seattle Mariners.
“The entire Port Authority family is heartbroken to learn of the tragic passing of Officer Anthony Varvaro,” the Port Authority said in a statement to CNN affiliate WABC. “Officer Varvaro represents the very best in this institution, and his Courage and commitment to service will be remembered.”
“On this solemn occasion, the Port Authority expresses its condolences for the 84 employees who lost their lives in the World Trade Center attack – including 37 members of the Port Authority Police Department – today, with the death of Officer Varvaro,” the statement said. In passing, our grief deepens.” .
Varvaro is survived by a wife and four children, according to the statement.
Varvaro played baseball at St. Louis University in New York. John before his MLB career. According to the tribute posted online by the university, Staten Island natives earn a career average of 3.23.
“His baseball record speaks for itself, he’s one of the best pitchers in St. Petersburg. John’s history,” longtime St. John’s baseball head coach Ed Blank Meyer said in the tribute. “He was a quiet leader, a fierce competitor and a great teammate. He had arms like Firebolts and a heart of gold. However, Anthony was more than an athlete. He was a man of service, A great father and family member.”
Several of Vavaro’s former teammates and teams, as well as law enforcement agencies and elected officials, took to social media to mourn his death.
“Pour a glass for my ex-teammate Anthony Varvaro today,” the former Boston Red Sox pitcher Pat Light said on Twitter. “One of my favorite teammates. Rest in peace, my friend.”
“My heart is broken by the tragic passing of Port Authority Officer Anthony Varvaro,” New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy said. tweet. “Officer Varvaro is an invaluable leader for the PA as academy instructors.”