9/21/26 : John Vukovich Award

Phillies Press Release

GREG BRODZINSKI SELECTED AS 2026 JOHN VUKOVICH AWARD WINNER

          Complex Coordinator Greg Brodzinski has been selected as the 2026 recipient of the John Vukovich Award, the club announced today.

            The 35-year-old Brodzinski is in his first year in his current role and has spent his entire professional career in the Phillies organization as a player and a coach. From 2023-25, he was manager of the high-A Jersey Shore BlueClaws, where he was named South Atlantic League Manager of the Year in 2024 after leading the club to a 74-58 record. During his time as skipper of the BlueClaws, the Pittsburgh native assisted in the development of Justin Crawford, Otto Kemp, Orion Kerkering, Alex McFarlane, Felix Reyes, Gabriel Rincones Jr. and Phillies top prospects such as Aroon Escobar, Aidan Miller, Dante Nori and Bryan Rincon. A bullpen catcher/catching coach for the Phillies from 2020-21, he has also held roles with triple-A Lehigh Valley, double-A Reading and short season-A Williamsport during his time in the organization.

“This year, we are proud to honor Greg ‘Bull’ Brodzinski with the John Vukovich Award,” said Luke Murton, Phillies assistant general manager, hitting. “Bull represents our organization with the same loyalty and dedication as the award’s namesake. He has served in various roles throughout his time with the Phillies, and this year, as complex coordinator, he did a tremendous job improving continuity and cohesion across multiple departments. His willingness to serve wherever he is needed and always put the organization and our players first is a great representation of what this award stands for.”

            Brodzinski, a former catcher, was selected by the Phillies in the 18th round of the 2015 MLB Draft and appeared in 22 minor league games over two seasons (2015-16). He attended Barry University (FL), Kirkwood Community College (IA) and the University of South Carolina, where he was a member of the Gamecocks’ 2011 NCAA Division I College World Series championship team.

“Receiving the John Vukovich Award is an incredible honor and something that means a great deal to me personally and professionally,” said Brodzinski. “John Vukovich represented so many of the qualities that I value in this game and in life, including loyalty, humility, passion, hard work and, most importantly, an unwavering commitment to the Philadelphia Phillies organization. To be recognized alongside the coaches, former players and staff members who have made such a lasting impact on this organization is truly humbling. I am extremely grateful for the opportunities the Phillies have given me throughout my career and for the people who have invested in me and helped me grow along the way.”

The 2026 John Vukovich Award will be presented on the field on Thursday, Sept. 24, prior to the 6:05 p.m. game against the Milwaukee Brewers. The award was established in 2007 to honor Vukovich, the longest-tenured coach in Phillies history (17 seasons) and one of the most respected people to ever wear a Phillies uniform. It is presented annually to an instructor in the Phillies organization who embodies the characteristics of the award’s namesake: loyalty, dedication, competitiveness, knowledge, honesty and a terrific work ethic. Vukovich, who spent 30 of his 41 years in baseball with the Phillies, passed away in March 2007.

Past winners of the John Vukovich Award have been Ramon Henderson (2007), Bill Dancy (2008), Roly deArmas (2009), Mike Compton (2010), Greg Legg (2011), Carlos Arroyo (2012), Manny Amador (2013), Sal Rende (2014), Steve Schrenk (2015), Larry Bowa (2016), Doug Mansolino (2017), Rafael DeLima (2018), Ernie Whitt (2019), Orlando Muñoz (2021), Marty Malloy (2022), Lester Straker (2023), Chris Heintz (2024) and Al Pedrique (2025). The award was not given in 2020.