By Ron Cook, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/?m=1
Thomas Ondrey/Pittsburgh Press
Pirates bench coach Gary Varsho was an outfielder with the Pirates in the 1990s.
Of Gary Varsho's many admirable qualities that make him a legitimate candidate to be a big-league manager, this is the best:
"I've got a lot of Leyland in me," he said. "Maybe too much."
That alone should get Varsho an interview with any club that has an opening.
He's in his third season as the Pirates' bench coach. He's also the only link in what has become a sorry franchise to the team's most-recent glory days of the early 1990s. He was a role player on a couple of manager Jim Leyland's division championship clubs. That means he learned from the very best, to the point that he quotes Leyland verbatim about the only two rules for players that should matter to any manager or coach.
"Be on time and play the game the right way."
It's that second rule that nudged Varsho from the relative obscurity of bench coach into the news late last month. On two occasions, he had heated dugout exchanges with shortstop Ronny Cedeno and outfielder Lastings Milledge in front of prying eyes because he didn't like the way they were going about their business.
You don't see that sort of thing with the Pirates much.
I loved it.
We're talking about an organization that preaches accountability, but hardly ever seems to demand it. President Frank Coonelly gave contract extensions to general manager Neal Huntington and manager John Russell through the 2011 season after a 99-loss season in '09, then, perhaps out of embarrassment, didn't announce it for eight months. Huntington kept do-nothing second baseman Aki Iwamura, first baseman Jeff Clement and pitcher Charlie Morton with the Pirates far too long this season, hamstringing Russell and sabotaging the team's chances. Russell hardly ever shows any passion and gives the impression the Pirates' 28-51 record heading into the weekend was perfectly acceptable.
Accountability?
Here's hoping Varsho hollers at a few more players.
"I don't look for it and I'm not proud of it," he said the other night before a Pirates-Phillies game. "Etiquette-wise, you like that stuff to happen behind closed doors. But I'm an emotional guy, maybe a little more emotional than most guys. When I think a point needs to be driven home, I'm going to do it. I'm not always right, but I know there's a certain way to play the game. I'm not afraid to speak up when I see that isn't happening."
And one more thing ...
"It won't be the last time it happens," Varsho said, fairly growling.
Good.
Clearly, Varsho paid attention to Leyland when he was a bench player on the Pirates' championship clubs in '91 and '92. He has stayed in touch with Leyland, frequently calling him for advice when he managed in the Philadelphia Phillies' farm system from 1997-2001 and when he was the Phillies' bench coach from 2002-06. The two spoke at length when the Pirates played Leyland's Detroit Tigers last month in Detroit.
"I'm on the phone with him a lot," Varsho said. "I'm not an idiot. Who better to bounce things off?"
Sadly, Leyland's best advice can't help these Pirates.
Casey Stengel's couldn't.
The early '90s were a much different time, the Pirates a much different organization.
"I remember driving in from Mars to Three Rivers every night," Varsho said, an outfielder at the time. "We knew we were going to laugh and have fun. But we also knew we were going to work and do things the right way all of the time. We thought we were going to win every night."
That's why all of this losing with the Pirates -- 18 consecutive seasons -- is so hard on Varsho, probably harder on him than just about anyone with the franchise. He was here for the good times.
"I saw the heartbeat of this city when it was going hot," he said.
It might never be that good again for the Pirates, at least not with the current weak ownership. That won't stop Varsho, 49, from doing his thing, from demanding the best of his players, from insisting that they prepare for and play the game the right way. Maybe that will lead to a manager's job. "Yes, I have aspirations," he said.
Or maybe it won't.
Either way, Varsho isn't going to change. When it comes to baseball, he knows only one way. He learned from the best.
Ron Cook: rcook@post-gazette.com. Ron Cook can be heard on the "Vinnie and Cook" show weekdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on 93.7 The Fan.
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