Anthony Varvaro, Former MLB Pitcher And NYC Police Officer Dies In Auto Accident On 9/11 Anniversary

Anthony Varvaro, a six-year major league baseball player and current New York City police officer, was killed in an automobile accident on September 11, 2022, on the New Jersey Turnpike. He was 37.

The Staten Island native will be mourned by his wife, four children, teammates and brethren on a day commemorating one of the darkest moments for New York City’s uniformed officers.

A true New York City product, Varvaro starred in baseball and football at Curtis High School before his lauded college career at St. John’s University in Queens. While at St. John’s he earned All-American honors during his junior season, which led to the Seattle Mariners drafting him in the 12th round of the 2005 MLB Draft.

Varvaro reached the majors in 2010 with the Mariners, staying in the big leagues through 2015 with the Atlanta Braves and the Boston Red Sox. He had his second Tommy John surgery in 2015 and valiantly returned to the mound in 2016 after a long rehab.

After finishing 2016 in the minor leagues, Varvaro stopped waiting for another break, instead finding a different calling during the 2016 offseason. The opportunity to join another exclusive brotherhood was too strong for the hurler to turn down. After 166 MLB appearances over six seasons and over $2 million in salary earnings, it was time for Varvaro to wear a different uniform.

“I kind of felt like my body was breaking down a bit, I felt like my career may have been coming to an end,” Varvaro said to the Torch in 2016. “I probably could have played a little longer, but that’s when an opportunity with the Port Authority Police Department arrived.”

He served as a transit officer with the Port Authority since December 2016. Varvaro also remained active in the community, being named president of the Snug Harbor Little League in 2021.

In the wake of his death, the Port Authority issued the following statement on behalf of Chairman Kevin O’Toole and Executive Director Rick Cotton.

“Officer Varvaro represented the very best of this agency, and will be remembered for his courage and commitment to service.”