As both a player and coach, Vuke has accumulated 24 years in a Phillies uniform, which ranks second to Vuke's long time friend, Larry Bowa. Are there any two guys on the planet who personify the Phillies more than these two? I challenge anyone to find another duo who bleeds Phillies red like these two? Vuke and Bowa
have been friends since their teens playing against each other growing up in California.
have been friends since their teens playing against each other growing up in California. Vuke was a career utility man. He played with the Phillies in 1970 (3 games) and 1971 (74 games). He bounced around the minor leagues a bit longer and again got the call to play in 4 games with the Phils in 1976. He played a bit in each of the seasons from 1979 through 1981 but never had any significant playing time. He was a career minor leaguer who would get occasional calls to the bigs.
Vuke was a good infield prospect who cold play the left side. But imagine trying to crack the Phillies lineup as 3rd baseman or shortstop during that time. You guessed it. Schmidt and Bowa pretty much had those positions on lock down for a few years. Though Schmidt has been quoted as saying that Vuke was a much better fielding third baseman than he was. Schmidt doesn't usually say those types of things.
Vuke won 2 World Series rings. His first was as a utility infielder with "The Big Red Machine" in 1975, and his second with the Phillies in 1980. Even though Vuk was on the post-season roster, he became the lone Phillie not to make an appearance in either the NLCS or the World Series. Nonetheless, he deserves his ring.
In 1988 Vuke became a Phillies coach after coaching for several years with the Cubs. For seventeen years, Vuke has donned the red pinstriped #18 jersey. He's worked under five different managers, Lee Elia, Nick Leyva, Jim Fregosi, Terry Francona and Larry Bowa. Since his coaching debut in 1988 the Phillies have had 26 different coaches, two different ballparks, and one trip to the World Series.
In 2004 Vuke was honored as the longest tenured Phillies Coach in history, breaking "Irish" Mike Ryan's 16 years stint as bullpen coach/catcher. (I have to believe someone as tough as "Irish" would still squat back there every once in a while.)
The Phillies will be honoring #18 all season with a black arm band with three simple letters; "VUK".
Thanks for 24 great seasons as a Phillie, Vuke.
Say hi to Whitey for us.
2 comments:
The passing of Vuke was indeed a very sad day for Phillies fans everywhere. He will be sorely missed. RIP Vuke.
I was trying to avoid the term RIP... for some reason that seems so sinister to me... but, as much as my buddies and I made fun of him for the 'stache, we really will miss him.
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