You can forgive teenagers for thinking that every Major League Baseball player has had an easy life, that the path to fame and fortune has been paved in gold.
A group of Susan Wagner High School students now know that's not the case for everyone.
Anthony Varvaro set the record straight with members of the school's sports management institute, as the MLB veteran reliever detailed the trials and tribulations of his own career -- from being an ace for Curtis HS and St. John's University, to seeing his draft stock drop from possible first-round pick to the 12th round after Tommy John surgery, to constantly riding the shuttle between the minors and the majors.
"In life, you're going to have ups and downs. The moral of the story is, that if you get knocked down, to get right back up and keep going," said Varvaro, who also stressed to the students the importance of education, noting how he finished getting his degree from St. John's while in the minors. "I hope that message was put across pretty well."
Varvaro was invited to speak by former Curtis classmate Joe Martucci, now a teacher at Wagner who runs the school's sports management institute.
"I thought it was important for the kids to talk to a local guy who's made it, and find out what it takes," said Martucci.
RESILIENT RELIEVER
Varvaro is the epitome of someone who's rolled with the punches and succeeded.
Beginning with the aforementioned Tommy John surgery prior to the outset of his pro career, the 30-year-old West Brighton resident has dealt with adversity. Varvaro was a late call-up in 2010 by Seattle, which then didn't protect him after the season. That allowed the Braves to pick him up on waivers, and the right-hander enjoyed a four-year stay with Atlanta.
Statistically, 2014 was Varvaro's best season: a 3-3 record and a 2.61 ERA, with only 46 hits allowed in 54 2/3 innings to go with a walk/strikeout ratio of 13/50. Despite being a bright spot in an atypically down year in Atlanta, Varvaro was caught up in the team-wide house cleaning by the Braves, who shipped him to Boston for Double-A pitcher Aaron Kurcz and cash.
"I was surprised," admitted Varvaro, who met with Red Sox brass and backers at the organization's FanFest last weekend in Boston. "I'm a middle reliever, cheap labor. But it's obvious they're looking to make a fresh start. The Braves got a lot of minor-league prospects back in all their trades and -- with them set to open a new stadium in 2017 -- I think they're looking to prep these young players to be ready for that season."
EAGER FOR CAREER IN BOSTON
Varvaro chuckles when asked what it's like to go from playing for the Mets' longtime enemy to now the Yankees' biggest rival.
"I got a call from (Atlanta manager) Fredi Gonzalez after the trade, who wished me well and told me how he appreciated my services. I told him he wasn't going to be making New Yorkers happy with me," said Varvaro. "While the Braves are a rival of the Mets, it's like comparing the JV to the varsity when you go from that to the Yankees and the Red Sox."
Varvaro said he's "still getting grief from everyone, including my own family" since the December trade to Boston. "I definitely understand it; I grew up a Yankees fan. I just tell them that it's just another professional ballclub. It's not like I sought out the Red Sox.
"But I am extremely excited about playing for such a top-notch organization. It's like getting a clean slate. I still expect to be used the same way as I was in Atlanta, as a bridge gap to the seventh and eighth innings. But because the ceiling was so high with the Braves, who had such a stacked bullpen, maybe I'll play a more important role with the Red Sox. If so, I'll be up for the challenge."
And when those relief appearance are against the Bronx Bombers?
"I'm going to come in and try to beat your Yankees," he said.