Long time Phillies’ coach, John Vukovich, has passed. To fans of a certain age, John Vukovich was the Philadelphia Phillies. On June 23, 1971, Mr. Vukovich preserved Rick Wise’s no-hitter by stabbing Pete Rose’s line shot for the final out. He also served as a Phillies coach from 1988 through 2004, working under a diverse string of managers, including, Lee Elia, Nick Levya, Jim "Jimmy" Fregosi, Terry "Tito" Francona and Larry "Bonesy" Bowa.
The Phillies have announced that the organization will pay tribute to Mr. Vukovich by having the players wear "Vuk" on their uniforms this season. A small quibble with an otherwise generous gesture by the Phillies. The name should be spelled "Vuke" rhyming with "Luke". "Vuk" rhymes with "luck", and will invite the barbarians who inhabit Yankee Stadium to hurl insulting couplets at the players, when they visit the Bronx this year.
1 comment:
If I may suggest this for Vuke's headstone. "Here lies Vuke, not much of a hitter, but he was the only one who could stand Bowa."
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