John Vukovich

John Christopher Vukovich
Nickname: Vuke
Born: July 31, 1947 in Sacramento, CA
Died: March 8, 2007 in Philadelphia, PA
Debut: 1970 | Pos: 3B
H: 6'1 | W: 190 | B: R | T: R

>> Visit the John Vukovich biography on Baseball Almanac for complete statistics.

John Vukovich, a former major league player, manager and coach, died on March 8, 2007 in Philadelphia, PA. He was 59.

He had been suffering from issues relating to an inoperable brain tumor. He had been diagnosed with a brain tumor during the 2001 season.

As a player, Vukovich hit .161 in 559 at-bats in the major leagues. His career numbers include six home runs, 44 RBI and four stolen bases.

He was drafted by Philadelphia as the 10th overall pick in the 1966 amateur draft and made his debut with the team in 1970.

In October 1972, the Phillies sent Vukovich, along with Bill Champion and Don Money, to the Milwaukee Brewers for Jim Lonborg, Ken Sanders, Ken Brett and Earl Stephenson. Almost two years later, the Brewers traded him to the Reds for Pat Osburn. In August 1975, his career turned full circle when the Reds traded him back to the Phillies for Dave Schneck.

His career included playing for the two champions -- the 1975 Reds and the 1980 Phillies.

Following his career as a player, he worked as a coach in the major leagues. He went to work for the Cubs in 1982 and stayed there until he returned to the Phillies following the 1987 season. His last duties with the team had been to work as a special assistant to the general manager.

He also managed 11 games in his career, posting a 1-1 record with the Cubs in 1986 and a 5-4 record with the Phillies in 1988.