Famous Like Me > Actor > V > Peter Vuckovich
Profile of Peter Vuckovich
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| Name: |
Peter Vuckovich |
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| Date of Birth: |
27th October 1952 |
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| Place of Birth: |
Johnstown, Pennsylvania, USA |
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| Profession: |
Actor |
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From Wikipedia, the free Encyclopedia
Peter Dennis Vuckovich (vooch-koh-vich) (born October 27, 1953 in Johnstown, Pennsylvania) is a former starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who came across as a intimidating presence on the mound with his 6'4" 220 lb (100 kg) frame and Fu Manchu moustache. Of Serbian background, Vuckovich was drafted by the Chicago White Sox in 1974. He batted and threw right handed.
After a little bit of duty with Chicago from 1975-76, Vuckovich was selected by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 1976 expansion draft. Even though the young Blue Jays lost 107 games in 1977, and although mostly used in relief, Vuckovich managed a 7-7 record with eight saves. He also recorded Toronto's first shutout in franchise history, a 2-0 victory over Jim Palmer and the Orioles.
Involved in a multi-player trade to the St. Louis Cardinals, Vuckovich's career went to the next level. Since 1978 he started more often, winning 39 games for the Cardinals during three years. He finished third in the National League in ERA with a 2.55 mark in 1978, and ranked fourth in shutouts (3) in 1980. A part of a seven-player trade in December 1980, Vuckovich came to the Milwaukee Brewers along with Rollie Fingers and Ted Simmons.
With the Brewers, Vuckovich continued his stellar pitching. He led the American League in wins (14) during the strike-shortened 1981 season. When Milwaukee won the AL pennant in 1982, Vuckovich won the Cy Young Award with a 18-6 record and a 3.34 ERA.
He lost Game Two of the ALCS to the Angels 4-2, but led Milwaukee in the game in their clinching victory, leaving in the seventh inning down 3-2. In the 1982 World Series, the Cardinals beat him 6-2 in Game Three, and he got a no-decision in the final loss.
But things would never be the same again. Vuckovich had been battling shoulder pain for two seasons, and in spring training 1983, it was discovered that he'd torn his rotator cuff. Vuckovich skipped surgery in favor of an exercise rehabilitation. He attempted an unsuccessful comeback for three games and went 0-2 in 14 innings, and then missed all of 1984. Subsequent and prolonged comeback attempts all failed, and by the end of the 1986 season, Milwaukee released Vuckovich.
In a 11-season career, Vuckovich posted a 93-69 record with 882 strikeouts and a 3.66 ERA in 1455.1 innings pitched. In postseason play, he was 1-2 with a 3.74 ERA.
Fact
- Vuckovich is one of only seven pitchers in major league history with back to back starts during a regular season since 1980. Aaron Myette made back to back starts in 2002. Bert Blyleven, Juan Eichelberger, Dennis MartÃnez, Steve McCatty, Rick Langford made back to back starts at the beginning of the 1981 strike (in June) and the end of the 1981 strike (in August). Source: http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/V/Vuckovich_Pete.stm Baseball Library].
Trivia
- Vuckovich portrayed fictional Yankees slugger Clue Haywood in the film Major League (1989). Source: Internet Movie Database
External link
- Baseball-Reference.com - career statistics and analysis
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