Umpire called milestone games

Ed Vargo, 79, a longtime National League umpire who was behind the plate for Dodger pitcher Sandy Koufax’s no-hitter June 4, 1964, and for Koufax’s perfect game Sept. 9, 1965, died Saturday in Butler, Pa. The cause of death was not announced.

Vargo, who was born in Butler in 1928, umpired in the National League from 1960 to 1983 and worked the 1965, 1971, 1978 and 1983 World Series and four All-Star games.

He was also behind the plate when Atlanta Braves outfielder Hank Aaron hit home run No. 714 to tie Babe Ruth’s career mark. He also worked the last games at the Polo Grounds in New York City and at Forbes Field in Pittsburgh.

A one-time minor league catcher, Vargo also worked as the National League’s supervisor of umpires 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 Aaron’s milestone game in 1974. That jacket is now in the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y.