Comments on: Rest in Peace, Vuk

By: Marc Butz

Marc Butz — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 18:01:06 +0000

I remember Vukovich in 1973, when he was with the Brewers. I remember that he played 3rd base. The Brewers also had Don Money at 3rd, where Money set a defensive record in ’74. Anyway, I was at this benefit basketball game in the Milwaukee area in early 1975, and John Vukovich was on the roster of local celebs. The roster indicated that he was on the Cincinnati Reds, which I hadn’t known. Earlier that year, a friend, with whom I attended the basketball game, told me that Vukovich is the best defensive thirdbaseman in the league. I believed him because he was three years older than I. At the game, I saw my friend talking to a lady, who was John Vukovich’s mother. John didn’t make that game, but I was always to think of him as the best defensive thirdbaseman…by the way, when he went to Cincinnati, the Reds put Pete Rose at third. It took some very good players to keep Vukovich out of his team’s starting lineup.

By: carol sullivan

carol sullivan — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 23:28:40 +0000

hi curt iknow so well the lose you feel with john gone i was his sister=in=law not really he was my brother i loved him deerly as well as my 3 kids who loved him and he loved he is such a special peron and such a great husband and father i feel he is still with me he is by far the nicest and best person i have meet in my life my prayers are with bonnie my sister who was his wife and also with his 2 children nicki and vincent he was the dream dad and wife they always came first it was bonnie, nicki, vincent and baseball and i might add his does a pair of levi.s well i always told him he wore levi’s better than anyone i love him and he had such an impact on our family’s life he was the perfect and loving man carol sullivan

By: mattlenny

mattlenny — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 19:45:17 +0000

Curt,

Thanks for sharing. This past week I lost someone that when you describe Vuk, you are describing my friend, Tom. I am a teacher and coach and Tom was retired from both. But 4 years ago he came back to be a tutor in my school. He always had great stories, but all of them had positive meanings. Sometimes you didn’t even realize it until you were alone later on. Like you dad would say, “Tom is good people.”

I am truly sorry for your loss.

By: jeffmickbake

jeffmickbake — Sat, 24 Mar 2007 00:00:35 +0000

Curt, I’m a long time Phils fan and had the opportunite to met John Vukovich . I was truly saddened to hear of the pain and suffering that this wonderful man and dedicated coach and friend had to endure. Your piece was well recieved and as a Phillies legend yourself , one can only imagine how this affected you and yours. I will always remember Vuk as one of the mainstays of a ball club I have rooted for for 47 years. He was always their. I guess that was what he was like as a friend, always there. God Bless you and your family, Curt and how ’bout comin’ back ?

By: lakefred

lakefred — Wed, 14 Mar 2007 15:38:02 +0000

Curt, I’m so sad about Vuk’s passing. After reading your eulogy, I feel an even greater loss for you. I was born and raised a Phillies fan. I’m still a Phillies fan. I have a good friend in Worcester, Mass and we’ve attended games in Fenway Park since the mid 70′s, so I’ve adopted the Red Sox as my American League rooting interest. When you came to Philly, I became a Curt Schilling fan. When you left Philly, I remained a Curt Schilling fan. I was so happy for you in your success with Arizona and now with the Red Sox. Your writing has touched my heart. I’ll remember Vuk and his family and you in your family in my prayers. Thank you for writing this.
Lake Fred

By: jrlexusman

jrlexusman — Tue, 13 Mar 2007 02:40:57 +0000

Curt
I am very sorry to hear about John Vukovich’s passing. That was an excellent story that you wrote about him and your relationship together. I had the pleasure of meeting Vuk numerous times. My Cousin, Ken Huebner, was Vuk’s roomate in A and AA ball. From time to time in the 1996-1998 season Vuk would leave field passes to get on the field at The Vet to watch batting practice and everything before the game started. and leave seats behind home plate for us. Him and my cousin were close friends in single and double A. As a matter a fact, if i am not mistaken my cousin went to Vuk’s wedding. The first time i met him he greeted me with ” how ya doing kid”. with a hand shake and i thanked him for the field passes and tickets he replied with my pleasure. I remember him talking to my cousin about how the game has changed from when they played to now. It was just a pleasure getting to meet him on more than one occasion. Just thought i would share my thoughts.
Jim

By: Matthew DeBarros

Matthew DeBarros — Tue, 13 Mar 2007 00:06:49 +0000

Hey Curt, Vuk seemed like an amazing guy. Sox Nation is sorry for your loss. Me and you got this blog thing in common and I thought you may want to check it out, http://mdd2403.wordpress.com/, it’s all about Boston sports. I had to start one for my reporting for the web class and I figured I should blog about my passions, Boston Sports. Anyway my Professor gave us this assignment to tell someone we don’t know about our blogs, and I figured who better than you. Anyway if you got time just check it out and leave me a comment. You’re the man, and again sorry for your loss.
Matthew DeBarros

By: slee12uconn

slee12uconn — Mon, 12 Mar 2007 03:46:03 +0000

curt – sorry for your and baseball’s loss –
not many people might fully understand what you mean when you said the need for an older male figure, unfortunately i do , but dont care to elaborate on a public blog – you were lucky to find someone – many of us dont find them –
– one story that first comes to mind with you is , i remember watching the world series in 93- i was 13, you were unbelievable and i was watching with my dad, what ended ended up being the last world series we would watch together – they were doing a story on you and you mentioined that you always had a ticket in the stands that was reserved for your dad, i remember that all too vividly and from your performance in that postseason to your remarks, i was a big curt schilling fan – and was so excited that you came to boston – ive wanted to write you many times, but feared it would never reach your eyes, so i;ve torn them up –
good luck for the 2007 season and beyond – - thanks for 2004, and all the other memories and in this day and age, reminding some of us fans that you’re a real person, with real life issues like the rest of us,

and for some tough love- i think that if you strengthen your legs, you could pitch like you are now, well into your mid 40s- like roger clemens -

By: kris7738

kris7738 — Sun, 11 Mar 2007 21:20:36 +0000

Dear Curt,

I’m sorry for your loss. Our thoughts are with you.

By: vuk4

vuk4 — Sun, 11 Mar 2007 05:49:37 +0000

Hi Curt…………On behalf of John’s cousins out here in California, I want to thank you so much for your “Rest in Peace, Vuk” Blog. My husband and I own a restaurant in Amador County where John was born and raised. His brothers, Rich and Bill are in here everyday. We have set up a memorial here in the restaurant which includes pictures, articles, his Phillies warm up Jacket and your Blog. I have made over 200 copies of your Blog in the past two days for all of his classmates and friends here in Amador County. In this time of excruciating pain and loss, I cannot tell you how many soulful smiles and laughs your story of …………”I said curveball. At no time did I say the word HANGING curveball.” brought to peoples hearts. Your Blog has really helped everybody to remember “Brother”, as we call him here in Amador County, as we remember and know him.

Thank you for helping us to focus on the joy of his personality and character in the midst of the pain in losing him. He was our family and community hero and you have helped us all. His Brother Rich just left the restaurant and is in route to the airport to fly back to New Jersey. He had your blog in his hand as he left here crying after I played the “tribute to John Vukovich” for him on our computer.

Thank you again Curt from all the Vukovich Cousins and friends out here in California!

Maura Vukovich Gillman