john vukovich hospitalized

fire_bettman · 03-07-2007, 10:54 PM

just heard on fox that vukes brain tumor has returned and is innoperable. sad news

Philadelphia Inquirer | 03/07/2007 | Former Phils coach Vukovich is gravely ill

Emmanuel · 03-08-2007, 01:35 AM

that is sad news

all4phillysportsfan · 03-08-2007, 02:32 AM

My thoughts are with the Vuckovich family. My grandmother passed away of brain cancer right before christmas, so I know what his family is going through.

all4phillysportsfan · 03-08-2007, 08:53 AM

Philadelphia Daily News | 03/08/2007 | Phillies' Vukovich in grave condition

CLEARWATER, Fla. - On an otherwise brilliant day, an invisible cloud hung over Bright House Networks Fields.

The usual upbeat music played and flags fluttered in the tropical breeze as the Phillies prepared for yesterday's exhibition against the Toronto Blue Jays. But inside the offices, strong and hard-bitten baseball men struggled to hold back tears as word spread that popular Phillies special assistant John Vukovich, 59, was gravely ill in a Philadelphia hospital.

"He's one of the most loyal people I've ever been around," said former Phillies manager Jim Fregosi, now a scout for the Braves. "He coached for different managers but his loyalty was always there for the person who was in the chair."

Vukovich had been diagnosed with a brain tumor in May 2001 but apparently had beaten the illness. He discovered that it had recurred late last season.

Many became aware of his condition when he didn't attend the winter meetings in Orlando in December, but the family asked for privacy.

The news began to circulate yesterday after an item appeared in the Sacramento Bee, his hometown newspaper

Complications associated with his treatment arose earlier this year and he was placed in intensive care.

There was a brief period of cautious optimism recently, but he was moved back into intensive care last weekend. He was removed from life support yesterday.

Vukovich has spent 31 of his 41 years in baseball with the Phillies organization. While he wasn't a great player - he endured incessant joking about his .161 career batting average - and was never hired as a manager, he had an amazing impact within the game.

He became the longest-tenured Phillies coach ever, serving from 1988 until moving into the front office after the 2004 season.

"I've had a much better second career than first," he joked in March 2004.

Vukovich had an impact on many players in Philadelphia, including former Phillies Curt Schilling and Jim Thome.

"When I came to the Phillies I had just lost my father 3 ½ years earlier," Schilling said. "I didn't have a male role model. He came along at the right time in my life."

Said Thome: "Every day he made you feel good about yourself, but on the other end he was a very tough, old-school coach. He had that side of him that was the friendship side, but he could be pure old school. He made you feel special."

The Phillies beat the Blue Jays on a 10th-inning, walkoff home run by Brennan King, but that hardly seemed consequential under the circumstances.

"That's putting it mildly," said manager Charlie Manuel. "I couldn't sleep last night thinking about it."

fire_bettman · 03-08-2007, 01:53 PM

1st tug now vuke what a shame

03-07-2007, 10:54 PM	#1 (permalink)
fire_bettman Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: south jersey Posts: 400	john vukovich hospitalized just heard on fox that vukes brain tumor has returned and is innoperable. sad news Philadelphia Inquirer \| 03/07/2007 \| Former Phils coach Vukovich is gravely ill Last edited by fire_bettman; 03-08-2007 at 12:56 AM.

03-08-2007, 02:32 AM	#3 (permalink)
all4phillysportsfan Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 1,630	My thoughts are with the Vuckovich family. My grandmother passed away of brain cancer right before christmas, so I know what his family is going through. __________________ Philly Sports: The worst drought in America.

03-08-2007, 08:53 AM	#4 (permalink)
all4phillysportsfan Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 1,630	Philadelphia Daily News \| 03/08/2007 \| Phillies' Vukovich in grave condition CLEARWATER, Fla. - On an otherwise brilliant day, an invisible cloud hung over Bright House Networks Fields. The usual upbeat music played and flags fluttered in the tropical breeze as the Phillies prepared for yesterday's exhibition against the Toronto Blue Jays. But inside the offices, strong and hard-bitten baseball men struggled to hold back tears as word spread that popular Phillies special assistant John Vukovich, 59, was gravely ill in a Philadelphia hospital. "He's one of the most loyal people I've ever been around," said former Phillies manager Jim Fregosi, now a scout for the Braves. "He coached for different managers but his loyalty was always there for the person who was in the chair." Vukovich had been diagnosed with a brain tumor in May 2001 but apparently had beaten the illness. He discovered that it had recurred late last season. Many became aware of his condition when he didn't attend the winter meetings in Orlando in December, but the family asked for privacy. The news began to circulate yesterday after an item appeared in the Sacramento Bee, his hometown newspaper Complications associated with his treatment arose earlier this year and he was placed in intensive care. There was a brief period of cautious optimism recently, but he was moved back into intensive care last weekend. He was removed from life support yesterday. Vukovich has spent 31 of his 41 years in baseball with the Phillies organization. While he wasn't a great player - he endured incessant joking about his .161 career batting average - and was never hired as a manager, he had an amazing impact within the game. He became the longest-tenured Phillies coach ever, serving from 1988 until moving into the front office after the 2004 season. "I've had a much better second career than first," he joked in March 2004. Vukovich had an impact on many players in Philadelphia, including former Phillies Curt Schilling and Jim Thome. "When I came to the Phillies I had just lost my father 3 ½ years earlier," Schilling said. "I didn't have a male role model. He came along at the right time in my life." Said Thome: "Every day he made you feel good about yourself, but on the other end he was a very tough, old-school coach. He had that side of him that was the friendship side, but he could be pure old school. He made you feel special." The Phillies beat the Blue Jays on a 10th-inning, walkoff home run by Brennan King, but that hardly seemed consequential under the circumstances. "That's putting it mildly," said manager Charlie Manuel. "I couldn't sleep last night thinking about it." __________________ Philly Sports: The worst drought in America.

03-08-2007, 01:35 AM	#2 (permalink)
Emmanuel Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 112	that is sad news

03-08-2007, 01:53 PM	#5 (permalink)
fire_bettman Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: south jersey Posts: 400	1st tug now vuke what a shame