John Vukovich
Major League Baseball
High School: Amador
* MLB Playing Career: 10 Years (Philadelphia, Milwaukee, Cincinnati)
* MLB Managing Career: 2 Years (Chicago Cubs, Philadelphia)
* MLB Coaching Career: 23 Years (Chicago Cubs, Philadelphia)
* 2-Time World Series Champion (1975, 1980)
* Philadelphia Phillies Wall of Fame (2007)
Known as “Vuk” he was born in Sacramento and attended Amador High School in Sutter Creek. He was an infielder for 10 major league seasons but found greater success as major league baseball coach.
He was beloved in Philadelphia as fans loved his work ethic and that translated well into a long and successful coaching career. He spent 23 seasons as a coach with both the Cubs (1982 - 87) and Phillies (1988 – 2004). He managed parts of two seasons, one with each club.
He was part of two World Series championship teams. In 1975 he was the starting third baseman on opening day and eventually was replaced by Pete Rose. He also was part of the Phillies 1980 Championship squad that featured Sacramento Sports Hall of Fame Inductee Larry Bowa. Along with Bowa and Milt Thompson, Vukovich is one of only three Phillies to go to the World Series as both a player and coach for the club. He is a member of the Philadelphia Phillies Wall of Fame.
John passed away in 2007 at the age of 59. The 2007 Phillies honored him by wearing a uniform patch on their right sleeve with his nickname, "Vuk" He will always be remembered for being one of the longest tenured coaches in Major League Baseball and a fan favorite from the Sacramento area.