Reports from Clearwater are that today's pregame tribute to John Vukovich was stirring and emotional. Phillies players, coaches and off-field personnel lined up on the field, and Pat Burrell and Jimmy Rollins, the club's longest-tenured players, brought out a uniform with Vukovich's name and No. 18 on the back. In a nice touch, VUK was painted in the third-base coach's box, where Vukovich spent so many days. Also, something I neglected to write in today's Vukovich obituary in The News Journal: The Phils' uniforms this season will feature a black patch with VUK printed on it. Several members of the organization will be taking a charter flight to Philly on Tuesday for a private funeral and burial. Curt Schilling and Terry Francona will be there, too, and I'm assuming many people from around baseball will join them.In lieu of flowers, the Vukovich family is requesting donations in Vuke's memory be sent to: Phillies Charities, Inc., Citizens Bank Park, One Citizens Bank Way, Philadelphia, PA 19148. Contributions will be donated to various charities endorsed by Vukovich. The Phillies are welcoming fans to e-mail their thoughts about Vuke to remembervuk@phillies.com.
2 comments:
Hey Scott, great work as usual, any word on whether Victorino is going to change out of #18 given what has happened to Vuk? It would be a hell of a tribute to a great man if the Phils decided to retire his number because he was so loyal to this franchise and city from day one. He will be sorely missed.
* edit * I mean't to say Wes Helms, forgot Victorino switched to 8.
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