Gary Varsho
Born: 6/20/1961 in Marshfield, WI, USA
MLB Debut: 1988-07-06 | Final Game: 1995-10-01
Bats: L | Throws: R | Height: 5'11" | Weight: 190 lbs
Full name: Gary Andrew Varsho
Biography
Gary Varsho, born in 1961, was a versatile position player who made his mark in Major League Baseball from 1988 until his retirement in 1995. Over his career, Varsho played in 571 games, primarily as an outfielder and catcher, showcasing his adaptability on the field. He recorded 204 hits, which included 10 home runs and 84 runs batted in, while maintaining a career batting average of .244. Known for his speed, he also swiped 27 bases, contributing to his teams' offensive dynamics during a time when speed on the basepaths was increasingly valued in the game.
Varsho's career unfolded during a transformative era in baseball, characterized by the offensive surge of the late 1980s and early 1990s. While he may not have been a superstar, his consistent presence and work ethic earned him respect among teammates and fans alike. Varsho's ability to fill various roles allowed him to contribute to multiple teams, and he remains a notable figure in the history of those franchises he played for, including the Chicago Cubs and the Pittsburgh Pirates. His journey through the MLB reflects the dedication and resilience that characterized many players of his generation.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 571 | 837 | 101 | 204 | 41 | 11 | 10 | 84 | 27 | 55 | 146 | 0.244 | 0.294 | 0.355 | 0.649 | -1437.5 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | CHC | NL | 46 | 73 | 6 | 20 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 6 | 0.274 | -192.5 |
| 1989 | CHC | NL | 61 | 87 | 10 | 16 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 3 | 4 | 13 | 0.184 | -454.8 |
| 1990 | CHC | NL | 46 | 48 | 10 | 12 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 6 | 0.250 | 0.0 |
| 1991 | PIT | NL | 99 | 187 | 23 | 51 | 11 | 2 | 4 | 23 | 9 | 19 | 34 | 0.273 | 269.5 |
| 1992 | PIT | NL | 103 | 162 | 22 | 36 | 6 | 3 | 4 | 22 | 5 | 10 | 32 | 0.222 | -337.1 |
| 1993 | CIN | NL | 77 | 95 | 8 | 22 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 11 | 1 | 9 | 19 | 0.232 | -186.9 |
| 1994 | PIT | NL | 67 | 82 | 15 | 21 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 4 | 19 | 0.256 | -133.9 |
| 1995 | PHI | NL | 72 | 103 | 7 | 26 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 11 | 2 | 7 | 17 | 0.252 | -401.8 |
Postseason Statistics
Playoff Career Batting
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | AVG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0.667 |
Playoff Batting by Year
| Year | Round | Team | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | AVG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | NLCS | PIT | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 |
| 1991 | NLCS | PIT | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0.500 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1B | 4 | 2 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| OF | 223 | 128 | 285 | 5 | 11 | 2 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | CHN | OF | 18 | 11 | 29 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| 1989 | CHN | OF | 21 | 11 | 25 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| 1990 | CHN | OF | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1991 | PIT | 1B | 3 | 2 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1991 | PIT | OF | 54 | 44 | 84 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| 1992 | PIT | OF | 44 | 27 | 62 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 1993 | CIN | OF | 22 | 12 | 27 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 1994 | PIT | 1B | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1994 | PIT | OF | 36 | 9 | 25 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 1995 | PHI | OF | 25 | 13 | 31 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| First Base | 4 |
| Left Field | 88 |
| Center Field | 9 |
| Right Field | 129 |
Salary History
| Year | Team | League | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | PHI | NL | $150,000 |
| 1994 | PIT | NL | $243,750 |
| 1993 | CIN | NL | $400,000 |
| 1992 | PIT | NL | $367,500 |
| 1991 | PIT | NL | $155,000 |
| 1990 | CHN | NL | $105,000 |
| Total Career Earnings | $1,421,250 | ||
College History
| School Name | City | State | Years Attended |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Wisconsin at Oshkosh | Oshkosh | WI | 1980, 1981, 1982 |