diy@sb1.UUCP (09/19/83)
In regards to Dave Stotts article on the Braves and the umpires' calls this year...a similar thing happened last year. Memory fails me when I think of the team or the final score, but it was here in Atlanta...pop foul down left field line...Terry Harper, from left field, chases down and catches ball (JUST in fair territory). His momemtum carries him to the fence...he has taken FOUR (replay after replay shows it) steps and his momemtum carries him to the fence by the picnic area. To avoid crashing, Terry grabs the fence and leaps over it...the ball drops out...Umpire Ed Vargo, working third base, calls it a dropped ball!!!!!!!!! Much wailing and gnashing of teeth an throwing up of dust follows, but the call stands. Over the next few weeks it is the topic of importance in the papers. Vargo blasts Atlanta fans, vice-versa. It might interest you to know that the home plate umpire that threw Benedict out of the game was the infamous Ed Vargo.