clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Elephant Rumblings: Steve Vucinich, A’s equipment manager, will retire after 54th season with team

MLB news roundup

By Alex Hall

If you buy something from an SB Nation link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics statement.

Atlanta Braves v Oakland Athletics

Good morning afternoon, Athletics Nation!

The Oakland A’s are off to a tough start to the 2021 season on the field, so let’s take a break from that for a peek behind the scenes. Today’s top story is actually from last week, but it’s too important to let pass by without a headline on AN.

On Wednesday, A’s equipment manager Steve Vucinich announced on A’s Cast that he will retire after spring training in 2022, relays Alex Coffey of The Athletic.

Vucinich joined the A’s in 1968, and 2021 will be his 54th season with the club. Matt Kawahara of the S.F. Chronicle details Vuc’s career:

Vucinich, 68, has been with the A’s as long as they have played in Oakland. He started with the team in 1968 as a sophomore in high school and worked as an assistant in the home clubhouse from 1969 through ’73. He was Oakland’s visiting clubhouse manager from 1974 through ’93 and is going into his 28th season as the A’s equipment manager.

Despite never playing an inning for the team, Vucinich is still a crucial part of A’s lore. He’s been there for literally the entire ride in Oakland, from the club’s arrival in 1968, through two dynasties in the 20th century, then the Moneyball era, and now the Bob Melvin Era, and everything in between. Consider that Connie Mack, renowned for his longevity in Philadelphia Athletics history, also spent exactly 54 years with the franchise, between 50 seasons of managing and a few more as part of the ownership group.

Thanks and congrats to Vuc on a great career!

***

On the field, the A’s are done with their forgettable opening series against the Houston Astros, and now gear up for three games against the defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers. Games are Mon night, Tue night, and Wed afternoon, all televised on NBC Sports California, but note the night games are slightly early at 6:40 p.m.

A’s Coverage

A’s Game Highlights

Only A’s homer so far through four games

Return of the Jedi

Oakland’s newest RBI Machine?

Great slide!

Getting some defense out of the SS spot

Blaze dialed it up as high as 72.4 mph of pure flame

Reminder of mathematical context

At least one member of the A’s is off to a good start!

A’s Injuries

Frankie pitches tonight!

Don’t slide into first base

Any day now

Ouch! It’s a left knee sprain.

Best of MLB Twitter

That sound is haunting

This might be a problem for the rest of the AL West

First pitch of his career!

Washington Nationals will finally get to begin their 2021 season

But if Meowrie is here in Oakland, then is this Craig Gentry running on the field?

At the Rogers Centre in Canada, it’s spelled “homre”

Paging JerryEBHI, Rooker Alert

Ty Buttrey pitched three seasons for the Angels, and that’s enough for him. Respect to a person for doing what they want even if it’s not what other people expect or understand.

Ace

My favorite highlight of the week

More From Athletics Nation