Brewers’ Pitcher Vuckovich Retires After Shoulder Surgery, Takes Job as Instructor

CHANDLER, Ariz. —  Former Cy Young Award winner Pete Vuckovich, trying to make the Milwaukee Brewers as a non-roster player this spring after shoulder surgery, retired from baseball Sunday.

“In a way I am (surprised), and in a way no,” Brewer Manager George Bamberger said. “You’ve got to respect his honesty.”

Bamberger said he believed Vuckovich’s arm was bothering him even though the 33-year-old right-hander had been having a good spring. Bamberger said he had planned to start Vuckovich in Monday’s spring game. Vuckovich told General Manager Harry Dalton of his decision in a Sunday morning meeting at the Brewers’ spring training facility.

Vuckovich was offered and has accepted a job in the Brewers’ organization as an instructor, the team said. He also will have some scouting duties.

Vuckovich, who had shoulder surgery in September, was 0-1 with a 5.73 earned-run average this spring.

The Brewers won the 1982 AL pennant as Vuckovich had an 18-6 record and was voted winner of the Cy Young Award. In five seasons with the Brewers, Vuckovich was 38-22 with a 3.93 ERA.

His serious injury problems started in 1983, when he began the season on the disabled list with a torn rotator cuff.