| Pete Vuckovich | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: (1952-10-27)October 27, 1952 (age 73) Johnstown, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| August 3, 1975, for the Chicago White Sox | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| October 2, 1986, for the Milwaukee Brewers | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 93–69 |
| Earned run average | 3.66 |
| Strikeouts | 882 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
Peter Dennis Vuckovich(VOO-koh-vich) (born October 27, 1952) is an American former professional baseballstarting pitcher who played 10 seasons inMajor League Baseball (MLB) from 1975 to 1986. He came across as an intimidating presence on the mound with his 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 215 pounds (98 kg) frame andhorseshoe moustache. Vuckovich was drafted by theChicago White Sox in1974.
In addition to his notable 12-year career as a professional baseball player, he is known for his role as fictionalYankees slugger Clu Haywood, the chief nemesis ofCharlie Sheen's character Ricky Vaughn, in the popular 1989 filmMajor League.
Vuckovich graduated from Conemaugh Valley High School then went on toClarion University to play baseball. Vuckovich, winner of the 1982AL Cy Young Award, is a member of the Clarion University Sports Hall of Fame. He is also a member of both the Western Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame and the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame.
Vuckovich was born on October 27, 1952, inJohnstown,Pennsylvania, toSerbian parents. His father Lazo, was a steel-mill worker and his mother Bosiljka (née Gjurich), was a homemaker.[1][2]
He graduated from Conemaugh Valley High School in 1970 where he played baseball, football and basketball. Afterwards, he attendedClarion State College. He was drafted by theChicago White Sox in the third round of the 1974 MLB Amateur Draft.[2]
After minimal duty with Chicago from 1975 to 1976, Vuckovich was selected by theToronto Blue Jays in the1976 MLB expansion draft. Even though the Blue Jays lost 107 games in1977, and although mostly used inrelief, Vuckovich managed a 7–7 record with eightsaves. He recorded the firstshutout in Toronto franchise history, a 2–0 victory overJim Palmer and theOrioles. He also recorded the first save in Toronto franchise history on Opening Day on April 7, 1977, atExhibition Stadium in Toronto, versus theChicago White Sox.[2]
Involved in a multi-player trade to theSt. Louis Cardinals, Vuckovich's career went to the next level. In1978, he started more often, winning 39 games for the Cardinals during three years. He finished third in theNational League inERA with a 2.55 mark in 1978, and ranked fourth in shutouts (3) in1980.
A part of a blockbuster seven-player trade in December 1980, Vuckovich went to theMilwaukee Brewers along withRollie Fingers andTed Simmons.[2]
With the Brewers, Vuckovich continued his stellar pitching. He led theAmerican League inwins (14) and winning percentageWin–loss % (.778) during the strike-shortened1981 season. When Milwaukee won the AL pennant in1982, Vuckovich won theCy Young Award with an 18–6 record and a 3.34ERA, and once again tied for the league lead with theBaltimore Orioles'Jim Palmer in winning percentageWin–loss % (.750).[3][4]
He lost Game Two of theALCS to theAngels 4–2, and started the decisive fifth game, though not figuring in the decision. In the1982 World Series, theCardinals beat him 6–2 in Game Three, and he got a no-decision in the final loss.
This however, proved to be the zenith of his career, as Vuckovich had been battling shoulder pain for two seasons, and inspring training of1983, it was discovered he had torn hisrotator cuff. Vuckovich skipped surgery in favor of an exercise rehabilitation. He attempted a comeback for three games, but went 0–2 in 14 innings, then missed all of 1984. Subsequent and prolonged comeback attempts all failed, and by the end of the1986 season, Milwaukee released Vuckovich.
In an eleven-season career, Vuckovich posted a 93–69 record with 882strikeouts and a 3.66 ERA in 1455.1innings pitched. In postseason play, he was 1–2 with a 3.74 ERA.
While with the Brewers, Vuckovich co-owned a bar in Milwaukee with outfielderGorman Thomas. It was called "Stormin' & Vuke's", a play on their nicknames.[5][6]
Following his retirement, Vuckovich worked for three years (1989–1991) as a television announcer for the Milwaukee Brewers. Vuckovich portrayed fictionalYankees slugger Clu Haywood inDavid S. Ward's filmMajor League. Upon seeing Vuckovich, who the filmmakers had in mind for playing a relief pitcher, Ward saw him as the right look for an imposing hitter.[7]
In 1992, he was hired by thePittsburgh Pirates as a pitching instructor. Vuckovich served as the pitching coach for thePittsburgh Pirates for the 1997–2000 seasons. He then worked his way through the Pirates organization to the position of special assistant to thegeneral manager with the Pirates, and held a similar post with theSeattle Mariners' organization underJack Zduriencik, Seattle's GM from 2009 to 2015.[8][9] In 2016, Vuckovich served as a professional scout with theArizona Diamondbacks.[9]
Vuckovich resides in Johnstown with his wife Annie.[2] His son, Pete Vuckovich Jr. was drafted by the White Sox in the 48th round of the 2004 amateur draft nearly 30 years to the day after he was drafted. Like his father, Vuckovich Jr. also attended both Conemaugh Valley High School and Clarion University.[10]
Al "the Mad Hungarian" Hrabosky could seem tame compared to Vuckovich, whose parents came from Serbia and settled in the no-excuses mill area of western Pennsylvania. But Vuckovich never allowed anyone to call him "the Mad Serbian." He wasn't mad. Different, yes, only because he was so competitive.