RIP Vuke

It is a sad week in Philadelphia sports. A true Philadelphia athlete has passed away. From all account, John Vukovich was so much more of a piece of the Phillies organization than most of us would ever know. Sure, he was a utility outfielder from the early 70’s through the franchise’s glory days of the 80’s, but if you listen to the players, he really made his mark as a teammate and especially as a coach from 1988 to 2004.

According to Paul Hagen of the Daily News, Vuk was “unflinchingly honest, which sometimes made players spitting mad. But, in the end, almost all ended up loving him for it.” He also goes on to describe as He was fiercely competitive. Fiercely loyal. Fiercely stubborn. Fiercely opinionated. Fiercely dignified. Fiercely private. Fiercely uncompromising. Fiercely proud. Fiercely caring.”

I don’t know about you guys, but he sounds like the kind of guy that we all need in our lives and should strive to become. He will be missed terribly in this franchise, and more importantly, this city.

Finally, as perfectly noted in Hagen’s article today, all you need to know about Vuk is how he described himself:

"Family man, first," he said.

After that? "Phillie," he added with a grin.

John Vukovich: Family Man. Phillie.

Not a bad epitaph.

I urge you all to read Hagen’s article. Not only are the quotes from Don Zimmer and former Phils very touching, but the article as a whole is a beautiful eulogy of a Phillie.