Pete Vuckovich

Content sourced from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

Pete Vuckovich is a former American MLB pitcher who played 10 seasons from 1975 to 1986. Born October 27, 1952, in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, he was a tall, right-handed starter known for his imposing presence on the mound and a distinctive horseshoe mustache.

Drafted by the Chicago White Sox in 1974, Vuckovich made his major league debut in 1975. He played for the White Sox (1975–76), the Toronto Blue Jays (1977), the St. Louis Cardinals (1978–80), and the Milwaukee Brewers (1981–86). He won the American League Cy Young Award in 1982 and was the AL wins leader in 1981. He helped Milwaukee reach the pennant in 1982 and had an excellent 18–6 season that year with a 3.34 ERA.

Injuries slowed him after 1982. Shoulder problems led to a torn rotator cuff discovered in 1983. He attempted a comeback but never fully recovered, missing most of 1984 and eventually being released after the 1986 season. Vuckovich finished his career with a 93–69 record, 882 strikeouts, and a 3.66 ERA in 1,455 innings. In the postseason, he went 1–2 with a 3.74 ERA.

Off the field, Vuckovich co-owned a Milwaukee bar with Gorman Thomas called Stormin’ & Vuke’s. He appeared as Clu Haywood, a fictional Yankees slugger, in the 1989 film Major League. After retiring as a player, he worked as a Brewers TV announcer (1989–1991) and later served as a pitching instructor and coach for the Pittsburgh Pirates (1992, then 1997–2000). He also worked in various front-office and scouting roles, including with the Seattle Mariners and the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Vuckovich lives in Johnstown with his wife Annie. His son, Pete Vuckovich Jr., followed in his footsteps, attending Conemaugh Valley High School and Clarion University, and was drafted by the White Sox in 2004.