...It tolls for thee.

It is with great sadness that Phillyist notes the passing of longtime Phillies coach John Vukovich at the all-too-young age of 59.

Vukovich spent more time coaching the Phillies than anyone in team history, and represented the grit and spirit of the team from 1998-2004. Vukovich was around for the 1993 World Championship team, sure, but he stuck around for the lean years following, never letting the players give up or give less than he expected of them.

Vukovich was a tough, gruff, no-nonsense, old-school kind of guy, but he was a guy that knew his game through and through, and who cared deeply about molding his players into the best baseball players they could be.

The team plans to wear black armbands reading "VUK" throughout the 2007 season.

This Phillyist would be lying if she denied that she's been fighting off tears most of the morning.

Rest In Peace, Vuk. You'll be missed.

Image credit to Flickr user AaronK.