Books and articles about Dick Stello

Onetime nightclub comedian Stello first got interested in umpiring when he attended the George Barr umpiring clinic in Tokyo while he was in the Air Force. Ten years later, in 1963, he became a professional umpire in the Georgia-Florida League. He rose rapidly, reaching the NL in 1968. He was the second base umpire on September 10, 1974, when the Cardinals' Lou Brock broke Maury Wills's single-season basestealing record by swiping number 105 against the Phillies. (RTM)

FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY » July 24, 1979: In Pittsburgh, a 4th-inning call results in a 34-minute rhubarb during the Pirates-Reds game. With Buc runners on 1st and 3rd, a 3–1 pitch to Omar Moreno is called a ball, but Johnny Bench throws to 2B ahead of the runner from 1B, Lee Lacy, who is attempting to steal. Lacy is called out by Dick Stello even though Moreno has just received a walk (therefore entitling Lacy to 2B), and walks off the bag. He is then tagged out by Dave Concepcion, precipitating the argument. The subsequent protest is rejected by National League president Feeney, and the Pirates 6–5 loss is upheld.