Ed Vargo, 79, Major League Umpire
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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, died Saturday at his home in Butler, Pa. He was 79.
Vargo umpired in the National League from 1960 to 1983 and officiated in the 1965, 1971, 1978 and 1983 World Series. Vargo is the only Major League umpire to call a no hitter and a perfect game for the same pitcher, according to the league’s Web site. He was behind home plate for Sandy Koufax’s no-hitter on June 4, 1964, and his perfect game on September 9, 1965.
A one-time minor league catcher, Vargo stayed in baseball long after leaving the field. He was the supervisor of umpires for the National League from 1987 to 1997. 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. It was donated to the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Edward P. Vargo was born in Butler in 1928. One of his first jobs was as a batboy and equipment manager for the Butler Yankees.
