So Long Old Pal...

Vuk was officially put to rest on Tuesday. And though we shouldn't make a spectacle of the situation, it is hard to ignore the cast of characters that attended the service.

The official goodbye to the Phillies' longtime coach, player and friend, John Vukovich, was held Tuesday in Voorhees, New Jersey.

It is apparent that Vuk had the ability to make friends with everyone. This is definitely prevalent when looking at the guest list.

Check out these names:

Larry Andersen, Bob Boone, Larry Bowa, Darren Daulton, Lee Elia, Jim Fregosi, Dallas Green, Dave Hollins, John Kruk, Greg Luzinski, Gary Varsho, Don Zimmer, Mike Schmidt, Terry Francona, Bobby Abreu, Curt Schilling, Scott Rolen, Tim McCarver, Lenny Dykstra, Mike Lieberthal and Randy Wolf.

As well as current players and coaches:

Players Eude Brito, Burrell, Geoff Geary, Cole Hamels, Ryan Howard, Ryan Madson, Jamie Moyer, Brett Myers, Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley, Manuel and coaches Mick Billmeyer, Ramon Henderson, Davey Lopes and Milt Thompson.

And finally the front office: Team president David Montgomery, chairman Bill Giles, general manager Pat Gillick and assistant GM Ruben Amaro Jr.

Imagine the fodder that might go on had these guys met under different circumstances.

The Bull trading barbecue recipes with Kruk.

Boone and McCarver reminscing about catching for Lefty. Schmidt and Rolen gabbing about Gold Gloves.

Schilling, Ruben, Kruk, Hollins, Dutch, Uncle Milt, Fregosi and Dykstra all reminscing about '93.

Larry Anderson and Kruk in the same room... enough said. And add Zimm to the mix...amazing.

Under different circumstances this would be circus. But the reality of it is that these great Phillies took the time to pay their respects for a true Philadelphia legend. I think this shows the human side of sports and more than anything, these guys are family.

Give another shout to Whitey for us Vuke. And while your at it, give Cory Lidle a nudge too... let him know we haven't forgotten about him. Even if we poke fun, we still appreciate him. He's a Phillie.

And we are family.

John Vukovich 1947 - 2007

The Phillies' beloved "Vuke" passed away today after a long battle with a brain tumor.

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.

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.

Here are Vuke's career statistics.

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.