Ed Vargo: podcast appearances and interviews

Edward Paul Vargo was an American Major League Baseball umpire who officiated in the National League from 1960 to 1983. During his career, he participated in numerous significant games, including four World Series, four National League Championship Series, and four All-Star Games. His officiating in the 1965, 1971, 1978, and 1983 World Series, with his role as crew chief in 1978, along with his participation in the first National League Championship Series in 1969 and other historic matchups, marked a distinguished career. Vargo called games in eight no-hitters, including three from behind the plate, making him the only umpire to call no-hitters in three consecutive seasons and one of two to call both a no-hitter and a perfect game by the same pitcher. He was the home plate umpire for Game 4 of the 1971 World Series, the first night game in the event's history. Born in Butler, Pennsylvania, to Hungarian and Ukrainian parents, Vargo's early involvement in baseball included working as a batboy and equipment manager for the Butler Yankees and playing briefly as a catcher in the St. Louis Cardinals system. He served five years in the Army, where he began umpiring, and advanced through various minor league levels before joining the National League. After retirement, he served as a supervisor for the league until 1997 and was inducted into the Western Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame in 1994. Vargo passed away at age 79 in Butler, Pennsylvania.