John Vukovich, a member of the Philadelphia Phillies only World Series championship team and the longest-serving coach in the team’s history, died yesterday of complications from an inoperable brain tumor. He was 59.

A first-round draft choice by Philadelphia in 1966, Vukovich spent the past 19 years with the Phillies. He was part of the team when it won the World Series in 1980. He also won a World Series ring with the Cincinnati Reds in 1975.

After being treated for a benign brain tumor in 2000, he returned as third base coach. He later worked in the team’s front office.

A utility infielder, Vukovich was a career .161 hitter in 10 big league seasons. He played 49 games in 1980, when the Phillies won their only World Series title. He had two stints with Philadelphia (1970-71, 1976-81), and played for Milwaukee and Cincinnati.

He retired in 1981 and went straight into coaching with the Chicago Cubs. Vukovich was an interim manager for the Cubs in 1986 and rejoined the Phillies organization in 1988.

He went 5-4 as their interim manager that season.

“I watched him grow up in baseball, give every ounce of himself to reach his goal in the major leagues and stay there,” said Phillies senior adviser Dallas Green, who was the manager of the Phillies’ 1980 World Series championship team.

“I respected him for his baseball knowledge, dedication to the game and the Phillies, his loyalty to his managers and organizations, his honesty and his work ethic. He was one of the best baseball men I’ve ever been around.”

Vukovich won the inaugural Dallas Green Special Achievement award in 2004 for setting a Phillies record by coaching 17 seasons.

The team will wear a black patch bearing Vukovich’s nickname, “Vuk,” for the upcoming season.