TTM Stats
- Sent: 2/11/2022 | Received: 7/22/2022 | 161 Days
- ’89 Fleer, ’89 Topps, ’91 Leaf, ’92 Score, ’92 Upper Deck
- Address: Home (address from Sports Card Forum)
- Sent: 1/30/2023 | Received: 2/10/2023 | 10 Days
- ’91 Fleer, ’91 Leaf, ’91 Score Rookie Traded, ’92 Pinnacle, ’92 Studio
- Address: Home (address from Sports Card Forum)
- Sent: 2/14/2024 | Received: 2/27/2024 | 13 Days
- ’91 Donruss, ’91 Fleer, ’91 Leaf, ’92 Donruss, ’92 Topps, ’92 Upper Deck
- Address: Home (address from Sports Card Forum)
The Story of the Autograph
Gary Varsho’s journey through baseball is a testament to dedication, adaptability, and the enduring love for the game. From his early days in Wisconsin to the major leagues, and later as a coach and scout, Varsho’s career reflects a deep-seated commitment to baseball, both professionally and personally.
Born on June 20, 1961, in Marshfield, Wisconsin, Varsho’s athletic talents were evident early on. After graduating from Marshfield High School in 1979, he attended the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, where he played college baseball and later earned a bachelor’s degree in physical education in 1989. His performance caught the attention of the Chicago Cubs, who selected him in the fifth round of the 1982 MLB Draft.
Varsho made his MLB debut with the Chicago Cubs on July 6, 1988. Over eight seasons, he played as an outfielder and pinch hitter for the Cubs, Pittsburgh Pirates (twice), Cincinnati Reds, and Philadelphia Phillies. His career statistics include a .244 batting average, 10 home runs, and 84 RBIs over 837 at-bats.
Notably, Varsho appeared in the 1991 and 1992 National League Championship Series with the Pirates, recording two hits in three pinch-hit appearances.
After retiring as a player in 1995, Varsho seamlessly transitioned into coaching. He managed the Reading Phillies, the Double-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies, from 1999 to 2001, earning Eastern League Manager of the Year honors in 2000. He then served as the Phillies’ bench coach from 2002 to 2006 and briefly as interim manager for the final two games of the 2004 season.
Varsho continued his coaching career with the Pittsburgh Pirates as a bench coach from 2008 to 2010. In 2012, he transitioned into scouting, first with the Los Angeles Angels and later returning to the Pirates in a similar role.
Beyond his professional achievements, Varsho’s personal life is deeply intertwined with baseball. He and his wife, Kay, have three children: daughters Andie and Taylor, and son Daulton. Daulton Varsho followed in his father’s footsteps, becoming a professional baseball player and currently serving as a catcher and outfielder for the Toronto Blue Jays.
In retirement, Varsho remains active in his community in Chili, Wisconsin. He has been instrumental in developing local youth baseball programs, emphasizing accessibility and enjoyment of the game over competitiveness. His efforts aim to provide opportunities for all children to experience baseball without the barriers often associated with organized travel teams.
Gary Varsho’s enduring commitment to baseball, from player to mentor, underscores the profound impact one individual can have on the sport and his community. His legacy continues through his contributions to the game and the ongoing success of his family in baseball.
The Score on Gary Varsho – 7.0
Gary has one of my favorite signatures. Its style is pretty classic. There’s not a a key letter that he leverage for some kind of individual style or anything like that. In fact, a good capital “G” is one of my favorites, but he chooses a lesser version of that. Still he’s really consistent and it always comes out well on the card.
Thanks Mr. Varsho! I’m giving these returns a 7 overall.
These aren’t my first returns from him. To check out some prior returns, go to these posts:
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Information gathered using Wikipedia and Baseball Reference.