Born:  Sacramento, Calif., 7/31/1947

Died:   Philadelphia, Pa., 3/8/2007

B-R, T-R...  6'1", 190 lbs

 

John Vukovich has a claim to fame that he probably does not want. He is the lone Phillie to not make an appearance in either the LCS or the World Series. As a no-hit, good-glove defensive back up third baseman to Mike Schmidt, I suppose that is understandable. He was used as mainly a late-inning defensive replacement during the season, though he also put in some time at third base when Mike Schmidt was injured at midseason.

1980 Statistics

 

Games

 Hits

 HR

RBI

Avg.

1980

      49

  10

0

  5

.161

LCS

        0

     0

0

0

.000

WS

        0

     0

0

0

.000

Lifetime Statistics

Year

Team

AB

Runs

Hits

HR

RBI

Avg.

1970

Phillies

   8

  1

  1

  0

    0

.125

1971

Phillies

217

11

36

  0

  14

.166

1973

Brewers

128

10

16

  2

    9

.125

1974

Brewers

  80

  5

15

  3

  11

.188

1975

Reds

  38

  4

  8

  0

    4

.211

1976

Phillies

   8

  2

  1

  1

    2

.125

1977

Phillies

   2

  0

  0

  0

    0

.000

1979

Phillies

  15

  0

  3

  0

    1

.200

1980

Phillies

  62

  4

10

  0

    5

.161

1981

Phillies

    1

  0

  0

  0

    0

.000

TOTALS

 

559

37

90

  6

  44

.161

Phillies Publications

From The Phillies 1980 Media Guide:

 

How Obtained:  Originally signed by Phillies in 1966 by Eddie Bockman.  Came back to Phils organization in 1975 minor league trade with Cincinnati for Dave Schneck.

 

Veteran infielder...  Excellent defensive third baseman...  Can also fill in at second and shortstop...  Came up to Phils Aug. 12th...  1965 Amador County High grad...  Graduate of American River Junior College where he majored in physical education...  Played American Legion ball...  Led third basemen in 1966, 1969, 1970 and 1978 in the minor leagues.

From The Phillies 1981 Media Guide:

 

1980 Season:  Made club in spring training as a non-roster player after working on catching skills that made him third catcher on club and reserve infielder...  Saw most action in late June and early July when he played third for Schmidt when Mike had a hamstring pull...  Played in 11 games and Phils won seven...  Fine defensive third baseman who qualified for his pension by surpassing four years of major league service...  Excellent clubhouse influence on both veteran and young players who helped liven Phils bench especially during crucial late-season drive.

 

Career:  Began his career with Phillies in 1966...  Traded to Milwaukee following 1972 season where he played two years...  Began 1975 season as Cincinnati Reds starting third baseman...  Came back to Phils organization in 1975 and was recalled by the Phillies in 1976-77-79 for month of September...  Led third basemen in fielding in 1966-69-70-78...  In the minor leagues hit 22 HR at Eugene in the Pacific Coast League in 1970.

 

Personal/Misc:  1965 Amador County High (Calif.) grad...  Played amateur baseball against teammate Larry Bowa...  Graduate of American River Junior College where he majored in physical education.

From The 1980 Phillies Yearbook:

  • Favorite Color:  Beige
  • Favorite Singer/Group:  Donna Summer
  • Favorite Song:  Off The Wall
  • Favorite City:  Lake Tahoe
  • Least Favorite City:  Cincinnati
  • Person You'd Most Like To Meet:  Frank Sinatra
  • Boyhood Idol(s):  Tim McCarver
  • Biggest Turn-On:  Bull's Swing
  • Biggest Turn-Off:  Weak conversation
  • Favorite Subject in School:  Woodshop
  • Favorite TV Show:  All In The Family
  • Favorite Book:  Your Erroneous Zones
  • Person You Most Admire:  My dad
  • Greatest Achievement:  Learning not to get hurt behind the plate
  • Most Memorable Moment:  My first big league home run against Sparky Lyle of the Yankees while I was playing for Milwaukee.  It was a game winner.
  • Hobbies:  Hunting, Black Jack at Atlantic City
  • Toughest Pitcher You've Faced:  Tom Seaver