Sports

Former Braves Pitcher Dies In Crash En Route To 9/11 Event

Anthony Varvaro, a former Atlanta Braves pitcher who retired to become a police officer, died while on his way to work a 9/11 observance.

Amanda Lumpkin, Patch StaffVerified Patch Staff Badge
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Anthony Varvaro, #38 of the Atlanta Braves, throws a pitch in the seventh inning in the game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on Sept. 28, 2014, in Philadelphia. Varvaro died Sunday in a car crash while heading to a 9/11 observance.
Anthony Varvaro, #38 of the Atlanta Braves, throws a pitch in the seventh inning in the game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on Sept. 28, 2014, in Philadelphia. Varvaro died Sunday in a car crash while heading to a 9/11 observance. (Photo By Brian Garfinkel/Getty Images)

ATLANTA, GA — The Atlanta Braves are mourning the loss of Anthony Varvaro, a former Braves pitcher who retired in 2016 to become a Port Authority police officer.

Varvaro, 37, of Jersey City, was killed early Sunday morning in a Turnpike crash while heading to work at a 9/11 memorial event, the state police and his former team confirmed.

According to the Atlanta Braves, he was going to serve at the World Trade Center Command.

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He was hit head-on by another driver on the New Jersey Turnpike Hudson Bay Extension at 4:25 a.m., state police said.

According to the Atlanta Braves, Varvaro played parts of six seasons in the MLB, four of which were for the Braves.

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The team said he volunteered to become a Port Authority officer after retiring from the majors.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and colleagues," the team said on social media.

Caren Lissner contributed to this report.

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