Tuesday, February 5, 2008

Vargo Gets Ejected, Sent to Eternal Locker Room

Ed Vargo, a longtime National League umpire who worked in four World Series and was behind the plate when Hank Aaron tied Babe Ruth's career home run mark, has died. He was 79.

Vargo umpired in the National League from 1960-83, worked the 1965, 1971, 1978 and 1983 World Series and in four All-Star games. Vargo is the only major league umpire to call a no-hitter and a perfect game for the same pitcher, according to MLB's Web site. He was behind home plate for Sandy Koufax's no-hitter on June 4, 1964, and his perfect game on Sept. 9, 1965.
Busy guy. You'd think MLB would pay him enough to get new clothes...

Vargo wore the same jacket when he worked Koufax's perfect game, the first World Series night game in 1971 and Hank Aaron's 714th home run in 1974. He gave the jacket to amateur umpire Ray Gouley, who donated it to the Hall of Fame after he learned of its historical significance.
And after he decided it was too old and tattered to actually be useful as a jacket.

[USA Today]

1 comment:

Danny said...

No doubt his son will realize that the cup lying around in his basement is worth something and will wind up at an eBay store near you.