The Toronto Blue Jays greatly improved their defense this offseason. Among the acquisitions that will make the Jays a much better roster when not batting is Daulton Varsho.
And the latter learned at the best of schools. Indeed, Varsho’s father, Gary, was bench coach for the Philadelphia Phillies when the great Jim Thome was playing there.
The Hall of Famer quickly developed an affinity with the one who was an eight-year-old boy at the time.
“I remember he had good momentum. You could tell he loved to play. He loved kicking and he just wanted to learn, be around the stadium and soak up the environment. »
The Blue Jays’ new outfielder remembers those moments that shaped him into the player he is today.
“It was cool when I was a kid to be around them, to be in a club house of the MLB. But now, thinking about it, watching them work on a daily basis, I think that’s what helped me get to grips with professional baseball. Jim Thome is the best baseball player, the best human being that you will ever meet in your life. »
The bond between the two has grown over the years, growing from that of mentor to that of friend. Thome also contacted his protege when it was traded in Canada.
Let’s say a presence like this can’t harm a career.
