Varney Anderson

Warner Samuel Anderson
(Varn)

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 5' 10", Weight 165 lb.

• Debut August 1, 1889
• Final Game May 6, 1896
• Born June 18, 1866 in Geneva, IL USA
• Died November 5, 1941 in Rockford, IL USA

BR page

Biographical Information

"Varney Anderson, the young Mobile pitcher, surprised the New Orleans contingent by his wonderful work in the box against them. His main strength appeared to be in his deceptive drop, which he has completely under his control, and eight of Campau's Pelicans agitated the atmosphere three separate and distinct times in a vain effort to connect . . ." - from Sporting Life, April 21, 1894

Varney Anderson pitched four seasons in the big leagues. While he was not a particularly successful pitcher (his ERA+ was 78), he was more successful as a hitter (his OPS+ was 91). He had a long minor league career, mostly in the middle part of the country. He also managed for several seasons, although in 1898 he would quit and "hold down his place" in a watch factory. The St. Paul Globe from June 29, 1896 said that Anderson "wears a closely cropped head and a nine-on-a-side moustache".

He is the only major leaguer through 2019 with the first name Varney, although there have been two players with the last name Varney: Dike Varney and Pete Varney.

Notable Achievements

• 200 Innings Pitched Seasons: 1 (1895)

Year-by-Year Managerial Record

Year	Team	League	Record	Finish	Playoffs	Notes
1890	Burlington Hawkeyes	Central Inter-State League		--	--	Replaced by William Fuller
1897	Rockford Forest City	Western Association	70-55	3rd
1898	Rock Island-Moline Islanders	Western Association		--	--	Replaced by Harry Sage

Related Sites

• Find-A-Grave for Varney Anderson