Delmore was involved in one of the most bizarre plays in baseball history, which happened during a game between the St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on June 30, 1959.
On a count of 3–1, Cubs' pitcher Bob Anderson's next pitch was errant, evading catcher Sammy Taylor and rolling all the way to the backstop.
Anderson, noticing that Musial was trying for second, took the new ball and threw it towards second baseman Tony Taylor, but the throw was high and went into the outfield.
[4] Delmore's umpiring contract was not renewed for the 1960 season by the National League, despite a "deluge" of telegrams from fans who considered his termination unjust.
He was survived by his mother Catherine, and by his wife of six months, Sonja Bochmann, a former secretary who had worked at the National League offices.
[8][9] Alvin Dark, involved in the infamous play, recalled years later, "It was a mess and I really felt sorry for Vic Delmore.