Ahoy maty! Varsho a Pirate

The Pittsburgh Pirates announced on November 20 that former R-Phils manager Gary Varsho has been named to the Major League coaching staff for the 2008 season. The announcement was made by Pirates Senior Vice President and General Manager Neal Huntington along with Field Manager John Russell.

Varsho will be the club's Bench Coach. The former Bucco outfielder returns to the organization for the first time since playing for manager Jim Leyland in 1994. Varsho, 41, was Cleveland's minor league Outfield/Baserunning Coordinator in 2007 after spending five seasons (2002-06) as the Philadelphia Phillies Bench Coach. Prior to joining the major league staff in Philadelphia, Varsho spent five seasons as a minor league manager and compiled a 383-319 record (.546 winning pct.). A major league player for eight years from 1988-1995, he played for the Pirates in 1991, 1992 and 1994, appearing the N.L.C.S. in 1991 and 1992.

With Reading, Varsho managed the R-Phils to three consecutive winning seasons from 1999-2001. His 2000 club won 85 games, 2nd most in franchise history and the most in Double-A that season. The R-Phils also made the playoffs in 2001 when they were declared Co-Champs of the Eastern League. 

His Reading teams went 235-191 (.551) which places is him 4th all-time in wins by an R-Phils manager. He ranks 1st all-time in winning percentage among managers with at leats 400 games. 

This story was posted on November 21, 2007