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{{Short description|American baseball player (born 1961)}}
{{Infobox MLB retired
{{Infobox baseball biography
|name=John Kruk
|name=John Kruk
|image=John Kruk 1992.jpg
|caption=Kruk playing in 1992
|position=[[First baseman]] / [[Outfielder]]
|position=[[First baseman]] / [[Outfielder]]
|bats=Left
|bats=Left
|throws=Left
|throws=Left
|birthdate={{birth date and age|1961|2|9}}<BR>[[Handley, West Virginia]]
|birth_date={{Birth date and age|1961|2|9}}
|birth_place=[[Charleston, West Virginia]], U.S.
|debutdate=[[April 7]]
|debutleague = MLB
|debutyear={{by|1986}}
|debutdate=April 7
|debutteam=[[San Diego Padres]]
|debutyear=1986
|finaldate=[[July 30]]
|debutteam=San Diego Padres
|finalyear={{by|1995}}
|finalleague = MLB
|finalteam=[[Chicago White Sox]]
|finaldate=July 30
|stat1label=[[Batting average]]
|finalyear=1995
|finalteam=Chicago White Sox
|statleague = MLB
|stat1label=[[Batting average (baseball)|Batting average]]
|stat1value=.300
|stat1value=.300
|stat2label=[[Home run]]s
|stat2label=[[Home run]]s
|stat2value=100
|stat2value=100
|stat3label=[[Run batted in]]
|stat3label=[[Runs batted in]]
|stat3value=592
|stat3value=592
|teams=
|teams=<nowiki></nowiki><!--This forces MediaWiki to recognize the first bullet. Kind of a workaround to a bug.-->
*[[San Diego Padres]] ({{by|1986}}-{{by|1989}})
* [[San Diego Padres]] ({{mlby|1986}}–{{mlby|1989}})
*[[Philadelphia Phillies]] ({{by|1989}}-{{by|1994}})
* [[Philadelphia Phillies]] ({{mlby|1989}}–{{mlby|1994}})
*[[Chicago White Sox]] ({{by|1995}})
* [[Chicago White Sox]] ({{mlby|1995}})
|highlights=<nowiki></nowiki>
|highlights=
* 3x [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star]] selection (1991, 1992, 1993)
* 3× [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star]] ([[1991 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|1991]]–[[1993 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|1993]])
* [[Philadelphia Baseball Wall of Fame|Philadelphia Phillies Wall of Fame]]

}}
}}
'''John Martin Kruk''' (born [[February 9]], [[1961]] in [[Handley, West Virginia]]) is an [[United States|American]] former [[Major League Baseball]] player and current baseball analyst for [[ESPN]].
'''John Martin Kruk''' (born February 9, 1961) is an American former [[professional baseball]] [[first baseman]] and [[outfielder]]. Kruk played in [[Major League Baseball]] (MLB) for the [[San Diego Padres]], [[Philadelphia Phillies]], and [[Chicago White Sox]] from {{by|1986}} through {{by|1995}}. During his career, he was a three-time [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game|MLB All-Star]]. After retiring as a player, Kruk became a baseball analyst for [[ESPN]]. He is now a [[color commentator]] for Phillies' games on [[NBC Sports Philadelphia]].
==Early life and career==
Kruk was raised in [[Keyser, West Virginia]] in [[Mineral County, West Virginia|Mineral County]], the state's [[Potomac Highlands of West Virginia|Potomac Highlands]]. He played baseball at Keyser High School in [[Keyser, West Virginia]], at [[Potomac State College of West Virginia University|Potomac State College]], and at [[Allegany College of Maryland|Allegany Community College]]. Kruk signed as a #3 Special Draft selection on June 13, 1981 with scout Hank Zacharias.<ref>John Kruk 1988 Topps baseball card, card number 596.</ref> He began his professional career with the [[San Diego Padres]] after being [[sports draft|drafted]] in 1981. He played in such outposts as Walla Walla, Reno, Beaumont, and Las Vegas, before making his debut with the Padres in {{by|1986}}. While at Allegany Community College Kruk played for Junior College Hall of Fame Coach Steve Bazarnic. Kruk was the first Major Leaguer to come out of Allegany and has since been followed by four others (Stan Belinda, Steve Kline, Joe Beimel and Scott Seabol).


==Early life==
Kruk's breakout year was [[1987]] with the Padres. He hit .313 with 20 home runs and 91 RBI, and stole 18 bases, showing surprising speed for someone of his build, although he was caught ten times, making his stealing of dubious effectiveness. He was featured as a backup on the National League All-Star Team in the acclaimed Nintendo game, RBI Baseball. On [[April 13]], 1987, [[Marvel Wynne]], [[Tony Gwynn]], and Kruk became the first players in major league history to open a game with three consecutive solo home runs in a 13-6 win over the [[San Francisco Giants]]. All three players were left handed.
Kruk was raised in [[Keyser, West Virginia|Keyser]], [[West Virginia]]. He is of [[Polish diaspora|Polish]] descent and has three siblings. <ref name=NBC170207>{{cite news |url= https://www.nbcsports.com/philadelphia/philadelphia-phillies/john-kruk-picks-phillies-broadcast-booth-over-eating-all-day |title= John Kruk picks Phillies broadcast booth over eating all day |first= Jim |last= Salisbury |work= NBC Sports Philadelphia |date= February 7, 2017
|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180418211802/http://www.nbcsports.com/philadelphia/philadelphia-phillies/john-kruk-picks-phillies-broadcast-booth-over-eating-all-day |archive-date= April 18, 2018 |url-status= live }}</ref> He played baseball at [[Keyser High School]], at [[Potomac State College of West Virginia University|Potomac State College]], and at [[Allegany College of Maryland|Allegany Community College]], where Kruk played for Junior College Hall of Fame Coach Steve Bazarnic. Kruk was the first Major Leaguer to come out of Allegany and has been followed by four others ([[Stan Belinda]], [[Steve Kline (left-handed pitcher)|Steve Kline]], [[Joe Beimel]], and [[Scott Seabol]]).{{citation needed|date=November 2016}}


==Career==
That October, Kruk rented a house in San Diego with two other men: Roy Plummer, a high school friend of Kruk's, and Jay Hafer, an acquaintence of Plummer's.<ref name=harki>Harki, Gary. "[http://wvgazette.com/News/hidden/200808040471 Baseball star John Kruk one of many fooled by bank robber]", The [[Charleston Gazette]], [[August 5]], [[2008]].</ref> They socialized and partied together, with Plummer almost always picking up the check.<ref name=harki /> Unbeknownst to Kruk, who moved out in November to play winter ball in Mexico, Plummer was funding the group's lifestyle by moonlighting as an armed robber, with Hafer serving as his getaway driver.<ref name=harki /> The [[FBI]] informed Kruk of his roommate's criminal activites during spring training in February of 1988, approaching him before batting practice with a photo of Plummer taken during a bank robbery.<ref name=harki /> According to the FBI, Plummer believed that Kruk had turned him in to the police, and Kruk lived in fear of reprisal until Plummer was apprehended on [[September 19]], [[1988]].<ref name=harki /> Kruk has claimed that the ongoing stress from the episode negatively affected his on-field performance that season.<ref name=harki />


===San Diego Padres===
In May of 1989, the Padres dealt Kruk, along with [[Randy Ready]], to the [[Philadelphia Phillies]] for [[Chris James]] in what proved to be a lopsided trade.
Kruk was signed as the third overall selection in the Special Draft selection on June 13, 1981.<ref>John Kruk 1988 Topps baseball card, card number 596.</ref> He began his professional career with the [[San Diego Padres]] after being [[sports draft|drafted]] in 1981. He played in such outposts as [[Walla Walla, Washington|Walla Walla]], [[Reno]], [[Beaumont, Texas|Beaumont]], and [[Las Vegas Valley|Las Vegas]], before making his debut with the Padres in {{Baseball year|1986}}. In this same year he played for the [[Águilas de Mexicali]] of the [[Mexican Pacific League]] for the 1986–87 season. Kruk helped Mexicali win both the League championship and [[Caribbean Series]] title.


Kruk's breakout year was 1987 with the Padres. He hit .313 with 20 home runs and 91 RBI, and stole 18 bases, showing surprising speed for someone of his build, although he was caught ten times. He was featured as a backup on the National League All-Star Team in the [[Nintendo]] game ''[[R.B.I. Baseball]]''. On April 13, 1987, [[Marvell Wynne (baseball)|Marvell Wynne]], [[Tony Gwynn]], and Kruk became the first players in major league history to open their half of the 1st inning with three consecutive solo home runs in a 13–6 loss to the [[San Francisco Giants]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/SDN/SDN198704130.shtml|title=San Francisco Giants at San Diego Padres Box Score, April 13, 1987 - Baseball-Reference.com|website=Baseball-Reference.com|access-date=27 June 2017|archive-date=11 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160911192411/http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/SDN/SDN198704130.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Philadelphia Phillies==
The portly [[outfielder]] was dealt to the [[Philadelphia Phillies]] during the {{by|1989}} season, and he blossomed into an [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star]] as the team used him primarily at [[first base]]. Kruk played in the All-Star Game in [[1991 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|1991]], [[1992 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|1992]], and [[1993 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|1993]]. In his 1993 appearance at the Midsummer Classic, he had a memorable at bat when he flailed wildly at 98 mile per hour [[fastball]]s from [[Seattle Mariners]] pitcher [[Randy Johnson]]. Johnson's initial pitch was so far inside and above his head that the intimidated Kruk (acting like he was about to have a heart attack) backed up nearly to the on-deck circle for the remainder of the at-bat.


In October 1987, Kruk rented a house in San Diego with two other men: Roy Plummer, a high school friend, and Vernon (Jay) Hafer, an acquaintance of Plummer's.<ref name=harki>Harki, Gary. "[http://wvgazette.com/News/hidden/200808040471 Baseball star John Kruk one of many fooled by bank robber] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080808045057/http://wvgazette.com/News/hidden/200808040471 |date=2008-08-08 }}", The [[Charleston Gazette]], August 5, 2008.</ref> They socialized and partied together, with Plummer almost always picking up the check.<ref name=harki /> Unbeknownst to Kruk, who moved out in November to play winter ball in Mexico, Plummer was funding the group's lifestyle by moonlighting as an armed robber, with Hafer serving as his [[crime scene getaway|getaway driver]].<ref name=harki /> The [[FBI]] informed Kruk of his roommates' criminal activities during spring training in February 1988, approaching him before batting practice with a photo of Plummer taken during a bank robbery.<ref name=harki /> According to the FBI, Plummer believed that Kruk had turned him in to the police, and Kruk lived in fear of reprisal until Plummer was apprehended on September 19, 1988.<ref name=harki /> Kruk has stated that the ongoing stress from the episode negatively affected his on-field performance that season.<ref name=harki />
Kruk, who batted .316/.430/.475 in {{by|1993}}, was also the leader of the Phillies' "Macho Row" which led the team to the [[1993 World Series|World Series]] against the [[Toronto Blue Jays]]; in the losing effort, Kruk batted .348/.500/.391 in the Series.


===Philadelphia Phillies===
During spring training in {{by|1994}}, Kruk was diagnosed with [[testicular cancer]] (ultimately resulting in the removal a testicle) after an errant pickoff throw from teammate [[Mitch Williams]] hit him in the groin and broke his protective cup. Additionally, weight gain and the astroturf at [[Veterans Stadium]] exacerbated his knee problems. After the {{by|1994}} season, Kruk was granted free agency.
On June 2, 1989, the Padres dealt Kruk, along with [[Randy Ready]], to the [[Philadelphia Phillies]] for [[Chris James (baseball)|Chris James]].


After the trade, Kruk blossomed into an [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star]] as the team used him primarily at [[first baseman|first base]]. Kruk played in the All-Star Game in [[1991 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|1991]], [[1992 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|1992]], and [[1993 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|1993]]. In his 1993 appearance at the Midsummer Classic, he had a memorable at bat when he flailed wildly at 98 mile per hour [[fastball]]s from [[Seattle Mariners]] pitcher [[Randy Johnson]]. Johnson's first pitch flew over Kruk's head to the backstop, leading Kruk to feign heart palpitations and remark "That boy throws too hard and he's too wild. He could kill someone."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/story?columnist=crasnick_jerry&page=starting9/090603|title=Jerry Crasnick: Starting 9 -- Memorable moments in Randy Johnson's career - ESPN|date=3 June 2009|publisher=ESPN|access-date=15 May 2012|archive-date=13 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121113021611/http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/story?columnist=crasnick_jerry&page=starting9/090603|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Chicago White Sox==

Moving to the [[American League]] to serve as a [[designated hitter]], Kruk signed with the [[Chicago White Sox]]. He was effective with the [[White Sox]], batting .308/.399/.390, but he was tired of the game and, as he told the ''[[Chicago Tribune]]'', he wanted to spend the rest of the year "eating at the [[Sizzler|Sizzler's]] buffet." On [[July 30]], {{by|1995}}, in a game at [[Baltimore, MD|Baltimore's]] [[Camden Yards]] stadium, Kruk singled and took himself out of the game. He left the ballpark never to play again. He finished his 10-year career with exactly a .300 [[batting average]] and exactly 100 [[home run]]s.
Kruk, who batted .316/.430/.475 in {{Baseball year|1993}}, was also a member of the Phillies' "Macho Row" which led the team to the [[1993 World Series|World Series]] against the [[Toronto Blue Jays]]; in the losing effort, Kruk batted .348/.500/.391 in the Series.

During spring training in {{Baseball year|1994}}, Kruk was diagnosed with [[testicular cancer]] (ultimately resulting in the removal of one testicle) after an errant pickoff throw from teammate [[Mitch Williams (baseball)|Mitch Williams]] hit him in the groin and broke his [[Jockstrap#Protective_cup|protective cup]]. Additionally, weight gain and the astroturf at [[Veterans Stadium]] exacerbated his knee problems. After the {{Baseball year|1994}} season, Kruk was granted free agency.

===Chicago White Sox===
Moving to the [[American League]] to serve as a [[designated hitter]], Kruk signed with the [[Chicago White Sox]] on May 12, {{Baseball year|1995}},<ref name="dginsburgap">[https://www.deseretnews.com/article/430887/KRUK-ENDS-CAREER-ON-A-HITTING-NOTE.html Ginsburg, David. "Kruk Ends Career on a Hitting Note," ''The Associated Press'', Monday, July 31, 1995.] Retrieved July 8, 2019</ref> batting .308/.399/.390 in his only season with the ballclub. In the first inning of the White Sox's 8&ndash;3 loss to the [[Baltimore Orioles]] at [[Oriole Park at Camden Yards|Camden Yards]] on July 30, he singled off [[Scott Erickson]], advanced to and was stranded on third base, removed himself from the game and promptly retired as an active player due to chronic knee soreness. He had made the decision two days earlier and informed his teammates on the eve of his retirement. The parting statement he issued to the media simply read, "The desire to compete at this level is gone. When that happens, it's time to go." Kruk finished his 10-year career with a .300 [[batting average (baseball)|batting average]], 100 [[home run]]s and 592 [[run batted in|runs batted in]].<ref name="dginsburgap"/>


==Post-baseball activities==
==Post-baseball activities==
A quotable character throughout his career, who later wrote a book called ''I Ain't an Athlete, Lady'' published in [[1994 in literature|1994]], Kruk turned to broadcasting and commenting on the game. He has since worked for [[Major League Baseball on FOX|FOX]], ''[[The Best Damn Sports Show Period]]'', and local telecasts in Philadelphia. In {{by|2004}}, he was hired by [[ESPN]] as an analyst on ''[[Baseball Tonight]]''. He also writes a column called '''''Chewing the Fat''''' on ESPN.com.
A quotable character throughout his career who had written a book called ''I Ain't an Athlete, Lady'' published in [[1994 in literature|1994]], Kruk turned to broadcasting and commenting on the game. He has since worked for ''[[Major League Baseball on Fox]]'', ''[[The Best Damn Sports Show Period]]'', and local telecasts in Philadelphia. Kruk has been a resident of [[Mount Laurel Township, New Jersey]].<ref>Rys, Richard. [http://www.phillymag.com/articles/exit_interview_john_kruk/ "John Kruk"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080624043453/http://www.phillymag.com/articles/exit_interview_john_kruk/ |date=2008-06-24 }}, ''[[Philadelphia (magazine)]]'', June 2007. Accessed March 25, 2011. "Another surprise, at least to us, is that he lives in Mount Laurel, keeping such a low profile that Exit Interview didn't even know he was still here."</ref>


Kruk coached for a year within the Phillies organization. He coached the [[Reading Phillies]] of the [[Class AA]] [[Eastern League (1938–2020)|Eastern League]] during the 2001 season.<ref>{{cite web | date=17 July 2018 | title=2001 Reading Phillies | url=http://www.thebaseballcube.com/teams/stats.asp?Y=2001&T=10360 | work=Gary Cohen | access-date=17 July 2018 | archive-date=12 January 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180112224624/http://www.thebaseballcube.com/teams/stats.asp?Y=2001&T=10360 | url-status=live }}</ref>
Kruk also managed for a year within the Phillies organization. He led the Phillies' AA minor league team in Reading, Pennsylvania during the 2000 season prior to his broadcasting career.


Kruk had acting roles in film and television, including the 1996 film ''[[The Fan (1996 film)|The Fan]]'', ''[[The Sandlot: Heading Home]]'', and ''[[American Pastime (film)|American Pastime]]''. In a 2008 episode of [[Adult Swim]]'s [[Adult animation|adult cartoon]] ''[[Aqua Teen Hunger Force]]'', ''Sirens'', Kruk guest starred, voicing the role of himself.<ref>{{cite web |title=Today in Philly Sports History: John Kruk Makes the Homies Say Ho and the Girlies Wanna Scream, 2008 |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/philadelphia/today-philly-sports-history-john-kruk-makes-homies-say-ho-and-girlies-wanna-scream-2008 |website=NBC Sports Philadelphia |publisher=NBC Sports Group |date=January 28, 2010 |access-date=March 9, 2020 |archive-date=September 28, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210928132613/https://www.nbcsports.com/philadelphia/today-philly-sports-history-john-kruk-makes-homies-say-ho-and-girlies-wanna-scream-2008 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Greenberg |first1=Rudi |title=Siren Songs: Neko Case |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/express/wp/2009/04/09/siren_songs_neko_case/ |newspaper=The Washington Post |publisher=Nash Holdings |date=April 8, 2009 |access-date=March 9, 2020 |archive-date=May 25, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240525233348/https://www.washingtonpost.com/express/wp/2009/04/09/siren_songs_neko_case/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Lelane |first1=Drake |title=Music on Aqua Teen Hunger Force: Sirens and Nipples |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/2757973/music-on-aqua-teen-hunger-force-sirens-and-nipples/ |website=MTV News |publisher=ViacomCBS Domestic Media Networks |date=January 29, 2008 |access-date=March 9, 2020 |archive-date=January 25, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125202147/http://www.mtv.com/news/2757973/music-on-aqua-teen-hunger-force-sirens-and-nipples/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Krakow |first1=Jonah |title=Aqua Teen Hunger Force: "Sirens" Review |url=https://uk.ign.com/articles/2008/01/29/aqua-teen-hunger-force-sirens-review |website=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis |date=May 13, 2012 |access-date=March 9, 2020 |archive-date=May 25, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240525233339/https://www.ign.com/articles/2008/01/29/aqua-teen-hunger-force-sirens-review |url-status=live }}</ref> Kruk also appeared in the [[Sawyer Brown]] music video "Round Here".
Kruk also voiced himself in the ''[[Aqua Teen Hunger Force]]'' episode "Sirens."


In {{Baseball year|2004}}, [[ESPN]] hired Kruk as an analyst on ''[[Baseball Tonight]]''. He also wrote a column called ''Chewing the Fat'' on ESPN.com.
Kruk played a baseball player in the 1996 film "The Fan", starring Robert De Niro and Wesley Snipes.


Kruk coached the National League team in the [[Taco Bell]] [[All-Star Legends & Celebrity Softball Game]] in [[Anaheim, California]], on July 12, 2010.{{cn|date=March 2017}}
Kruk has been a resident of [[Mount Laurel Township, New Jersey]].<ref>Rys, Richard. [http://www.phillymag.com/articles/exit_interview_john_kruk/ "John Kruk"], ''[[Philadelphia (magazine)]]'', June 2007. Accessed [[March 3]], [[2008]]. "Another surprise, at least to us, is that he lives in Mount Laurel, keeping such a low profile that Exit Interview didn’t even know he was still here."</ref>


He also appears in [[MLB on ESPN]] Commercials where Kruk himself is part of moments in baseball history for example, an old briefcase belonging to Kruk buried in the infield dirt containing a rotten sandwich caused the bugs to attack the Yankees and distract them and allowed the Indians to win.
Kruk appeared in ''[[MLB on ESPN]]'' commercials, playing himself as part of moments in baseball history; for example, an old briefcase belonging to Kruk buried in the infield dirt containing a rotten sandwich caused the bugs to attack [[Karl Ravech]] dressed up as [[New York Yankees|Yankees]] pitcher [[Joba Chamberlain]], mocking game 2 of the [[2007 ALDS]] between the Yankees and the Indians. He, along with [[Steve Phillips]] and [[Gary Thorne]], was a commentator on the video games ''[[MLB 2K10]], [[MLB 2K11]], [[MLB 2K12]]'' and ''[[MLB 2K13]]''.

In {{Baseball year|2012}}, ESPN hired Kruk to be the color commentator for ''[[Sunday Night Baseball]]'' alongside [[Dan Shulman]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hudak |first1=Kristen |title=ESPN's John Kruk Joins Sunday Night Baseball |url=https://espnpressroom.com/us/press-releases/2012/12/espns-john-kruk-joins-sunday-night-baseball/ |work=[[ESPN Press Room]] |date=December 3, 2012 |access-date=November 27, 2020 |archive-date=September 20, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210920210515/https://espnpressroom.com/us/press-releases/2012/12/espns-john-kruk-joins-sunday-night-baseball/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Also in 2012, fellow West Virginians, the [[Davisson Brothers Band]], were approached by Kruk to write a new theme song for ''Baseball Tonight''.<ref>{{cite web | date=2012-09-16 | title=Davisson Brothers Band, John Kruk perform 'Baseball Tonight' theme | url=http://www.wvillustrated.com/story/19555333/davisson-brothers-band-john-kruk-perform-baseball-tonight-theme | access-date=2017-11-14 | archive-date=2017-11-15 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171115015300/http://www.wvillustrated.com/story/19555333/davisson-brothers-band-john-kruk-perform-baseball-tonight-theme | url-status=live }}</ref> In 2015, once again, Kruk, asked the Davisson Brothers Band to record a special track, titled "Right Here on ESPN", for the ESPN bumpers during the July 4 weekend.<ref>{{cite web | date=2015-07-02 | title=John Kruk Teams with Davisson Brothers Band for Musical Open | url=https://www.espnfrontrow.com/2015/07/john-kruk-teams-with-davisson-brothers-band-for-musical-open/ | work=Gianina Thompson | access-date=2017-11-14 | archive-date=2017-11-15 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171115084454/https://www.espnfrontrow.com/2015/07/john-kruk-teams-with-davisson-brothers-band-for-musical-open/ | url-status=live }}</ref>

Following the 2016 baseball season in October, Kruk and ESPN mutually agreed to part ways.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sportingnews.com/mlb/news/john-kruk-released-espn-major-league-baseball-baseball-tonight-curt-schilling-jessica-mendoza/1jo8gz8phy4wc1thjsgekt8ihe|title=Baseball analyst John Kruk out at ESPN|date=3 October 2016|access-date=27 June 2017|archive-date=12 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170612215657/http://www.sportingnews.com/mlb/news/john-kruk-released-espn-major-league-baseball-baseball-tonight-curt-schilling-jessica-mendoza/1jo8gz8phy4wc1thjsgekt8ihe|url-status=live}}</ref> In February 2017, [[Comcast SportsNet]] announced that they hired Kruk to join the Philadelphia Phillies broadcast team, replacing [[Matt Stairs]], who was hired as the Phillies' [[hitting coach]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2017/02/07/fan-favorite-joins-phillies-broadcast-booth/|title=John Kruk Joins Phillies TV Booth: 'I'm Too Old To Change'|first=Mike|last=DeNardo|date=7 February 2017|access-date=27 June 2017|archive-date=23 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170323054211/http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2017/02/07/fan-favorite-joins-phillies-broadcast-booth/|url-status=live}}</ref>

After moving to [[Naples, Florida]], six years prior, Kruk took over the Seacrest Country Day School softball team as the head coach in 2016.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://archive.naplesnews.com/sports/high-school/softball/MLB-all-star-John-Kruk-to-coach-softball-at-Seacrest-Country-Day-School-378149831.html|title=Prep softball: Former MLB All-Star John Kruk named new Seacrest coach|access-date=2018-02-08|language=en|archive-date=2018-02-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180209064804/http://archive.naplesnews.com/sports/high-school/softball/MLB-all-star-John-Kruk-to-coach-softball-at-Seacrest-Country-Day-School-378149831.html|url-status=live}}</ref> He was named the Florida Athletic Coaches Association Class 2A Coach of the Year for the district in his first year with the Stingrays.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.naplesnews.com/story/sports/high-school/softball/2017/04/21/prep-softball-area-faca-all-district-selections-announced/100746440/|title=Prep softball: Area FACA all-district selections announced|work=Naples Daily News|access-date=2018-02-08|language=en|archive-date=2018-02-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180209063237/https://www.naplesnews.com/story/sports/high-school/softball/2017/04/21/prep-softball-area-faca-all-district-selections-announced/100746440/|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Honors and awards==
*In 2003—the final year of Veterans Stadium—Philadelphia Phillies fans voted Kruk as the first baseman on the [[List of Philadelphia Phillies award winners and league leaders#Phillies All-Vet Team (2003)|Phillies All-Vet Team]] (1971–2003).
*On August 12, 2011, Kruk was inducted into the [[Philadelphia Baseball Wall of Fame]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://articles.philly.com/2011-08-09/sports/29867572_1_john-kruk-alumni-fame|title=Archives - Philly.com|website=articles.philly.com|access-date=27 June 2017|archive-date=2012-09-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120903022853/http://articles.philly.com/2011-08-09/sports/29867572_1_john-kruk-alumni-fame|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/phillies/20110813_Kruk_takes_place_on_Phils_Wall_of_Fame.html|title=Kruk takes his place on Wall of Fame|first=Ray|last=Parrillo|date=August 13, 2011|work=Philly.com|publisher=Philadelphia Media Network|access-date=August 13, 2011|archive-date=October 21, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021051202/http://articles.philly.com/2011-08-13/sports/29884439_1_john-kruk-darren-daulton-phillies|url-status=live}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
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==External links==
==External links==
{{wikiquote}}
{{wikiquote}}
{{Portal|Biography|Baseball}}
* {{baseballstats |mlb= |espn= |br=k/krukjo01 |fangraphs=1007184 |cube=K/john-kruk}}
*{{baseballstats|mlb=117339|espn=1790|br=k/krukjo01|fangraphs=1007184|brm=kruk--001joh|retro=K/Pkrukj001}}
*{{SABR Baseball Biography Project|6afcbd09}}
*[https://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=krukjo01 John Kruk] at Baseball Almanac


{{BaseballTonight}}
{{Philadelphia Phillies}}
{{Philadelphia Phillies}}
{{Philly Baseball Wall of Fame}}
{{BaseballTonight}}
{{Sunday Night Baseball}}

{{Authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Kruk, John}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kruk, John}}
[[Category:Major league first basemen]]
[[Category:Philadelphia Phillies players]]
[[Category:San Diego Padres players]]
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[[Category:National League All-Stars]]
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[[Category:People from Mineral County, West Virginia]]
[[Category:Major league players from West Virginia]]
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[[Category:Americans of Polish descent]]
[[Category:Potomac State College alumni]]
[[Category:1961 births]]
[[Category:1961 births]]
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[[Category:Male actors from West Virginia]]
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[[Category:American people of Polish descent]]
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[[Category:Keyser High School alumni]]
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[[Category:Major League Baseball broadcasters]]
[[Category:Major League Baseball first basemen]]
[[Category:National League All-Stars]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Charleston, West Virginia]]
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[[Category:Philadelphia Phillies announcers]]
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[[Category:Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barons players]]
[[Category:Walla Walla Padres players]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Mineral County, West Virginia]]

Latest revision as of 23:34, 25 May 2024

John Kruk
Kruk playing in 1992
First baseman / Outfielder
Born: (1961-02-09) February 9, 1961 (age 63)
Charleston, West Virginia, U.S.
Batted: Left
Threw: Left
MLB debut
April 7, 1986, for the San Diego Padres
Last MLB appearance
July 30, 1995, for the Chicago White Sox
MLB statistics
Batting average.300
Home runs100
Runs batted in592
Teams
Career highlights and awards

John Martin Kruk (born February 9, 1961) is an American former professional baseball first baseman and outfielder. Kruk played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the San Diego Padres, Philadelphia Phillies, and Chicago White Sox from 1986 through 1995. During his career, he was a three-time MLB All-Star. After retiring as a player, Kruk became a baseball analyst for ESPN. He is now a color commentator for Phillies' games on NBC Sports Philadelphia.

Early life[edit]

Kruk was raised in Keyser, West Virginia. He is of Polish descent and has three siblings. [1] He played baseball at Keyser High School, at Potomac State College, and at Allegany Community College, where Kruk played for Junior College Hall of Fame Coach Steve Bazarnic. Kruk was the first Major Leaguer to come out of Allegany and has been followed by four others (Stan Belinda, Steve Kline, Joe Beimel, and Scott Seabol).[citation needed]

Career[edit]

San Diego Padres[edit]

Kruk was signed as the third overall selection in the Special Draft selection on June 13, 1981.[2] He began his professional career with the San Diego Padres after being drafted in 1981. He played in such outposts as Walla Walla, Reno, Beaumont, and Las Vegas, before making his debut with the Padres in 1986. In this same year he played for the Águilas de Mexicali of the Mexican Pacific League for the 1986–87 season. Kruk helped Mexicali win both the League championship and Caribbean Series title.

Kruk's breakout year was 1987 with the Padres. He hit .313 with 20 home runs and 91 RBI, and stole 18 bases, showing surprising speed for someone of his build, although he was caught ten times. He was featured as a backup on the National League All-Star Team in the Nintendo game R.B.I. Baseball. On April 13, 1987, Marvell Wynne, Tony Gwynn, and Kruk became the first players in major league history to open their half of the 1st inning with three consecutive solo home runs in a 13–6 loss to the San Francisco Giants.[3]

In October 1987, Kruk rented a house in San Diego with two other men: Roy Plummer, a high school friend, and Vernon (Jay) Hafer, an acquaintance of Plummer's.[4] They socialized and partied together, with Plummer almost always picking up the check.[4] Unbeknownst to Kruk, who moved out in November to play winter ball in Mexico, Plummer was funding the group's lifestyle by moonlighting as an armed robber, with Hafer serving as his getaway driver.[4] The FBI informed Kruk of his roommates' criminal activities during spring training in February 1988, approaching him before batting practice with a photo of Plummer taken during a bank robbery.[4] According to the FBI, Plummer believed that Kruk had turned him in to the police, and Kruk lived in fear of reprisal until Plummer was apprehended on September 19, 1988.[4] Kruk has stated that the ongoing stress from the episode negatively affected his on-field performance that season.[4]

Philadelphia Phillies[edit]

On June 2, 1989, the Padres dealt Kruk, along with Randy Ready, to the Philadelphia Phillies for Chris James.

After the trade, Kruk blossomed into an All-Star as the team used him primarily at first base. Kruk played in the All-Star Game in 1991, 1992, and 1993. In his 1993 appearance at the Midsummer Classic, he had a memorable at bat when he flailed wildly at 98 mile per hour fastballs from Seattle Mariners pitcher Randy Johnson. Johnson's first pitch flew over Kruk's head to the backstop, leading Kruk to feign heart palpitations and remark "That boy throws too hard and he's too wild. He could kill someone."[5]

Kruk, who batted .316/.430/.475 in 1993, was also a member of the Phillies' "Macho Row" which led the team to the World Series against the Toronto Blue Jays; in the losing effort, Kruk batted .348/.500/.391 in the Series.

During spring training in 1994, Kruk was diagnosed with testicular cancer (ultimately resulting in the removal of one testicle) after an errant pickoff throw from teammate Mitch Williams hit him in the groin and broke his protective cup. Additionally, weight gain and the astroturf at Veterans Stadium exacerbated his knee problems. After the 1994 season, Kruk was granted free agency.

Chicago White Sox[edit]

Moving to the American League to serve as a designated hitter, Kruk signed with the Chicago White Sox on May 12, 1995,[6] batting .308/.399/.390 in his only season with the ballclub. In the first inning of the White Sox's 8–3 loss to the Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards on July 30, he singled off Scott Erickson, advanced to and was stranded on third base, removed himself from the game and promptly retired as an active player due to chronic knee soreness. He had made the decision two days earlier and informed his teammates on the eve of his retirement. The parting statement he issued to the media simply read, "The desire to compete at this level is gone. When that happens, it's time to go." Kruk finished his 10-year career with a .300 batting average, 100 home runs and 592 runs batted in.[6]

Post-baseball activities[edit]

A quotable character throughout his career who had written a book called I Ain't an Athlete, Lady published in 1994, Kruk turned to broadcasting and commenting on the game. He has since worked for Major League Baseball on Fox, The Best Damn Sports Show Period, and local telecasts in Philadelphia. Kruk has been a resident of Mount Laurel Township, New Jersey.[7]

Kruk coached for a year within the Phillies organization. He coached the Reading Phillies of the Class AA Eastern League during the 2001 season.[8]

Kruk had acting roles in film and television, including the 1996 film The Fan, The Sandlot: Heading Home, and American Pastime. In a 2008 episode of Adult Swim's adult cartoon Aqua Teen Hunger Force, Sirens, Kruk guest starred, voicing the role of himself.[9][10][11][12] Kruk also appeared in the Sawyer Brown music video "Round Here".

In 2004, ESPN hired Kruk as an analyst on Baseball Tonight. He also wrote a column called Chewing the Fat on ESPN.com.

Kruk coached the National League team in the Taco Bell All-Star Legends & Celebrity Softball Game in Anaheim, California, on July 12, 2010.[citation needed]

Kruk appeared in MLB on ESPN commercials, playing himself as part of moments in baseball history; for example, an old briefcase belonging to Kruk buried in the infield dirt containing a rotten sandwich caused the bugs to attack Karl Ravech dressed up as Yankees pitcher Joba Chamberlain, mocking game 2 of the 2007 ALDS between the Yankees and the Indians. He, along with Steve Phillips and Gary Thorne, was a commentator on the video games MLB 2K10, MLB 2K11, MLB 2K12 and MLB 2K13.

In 2012, ESPN hired Kruk to be the color commentator for Sunday Night Baseball alongside Dan Shulman.[13] Also in 2012, fellow West Virginians, the Davisson Brothers Band, were approached by Kruk to write a new theme song for Baseball Tonight.[14] In 2015, once again, Kruk, asked the Davisson Brothers Band to record a special track, titled "Right Here on ESPN", for the ESPN bumpers during the July 4 weekend.[15]

Following the 2016 baseball season in October, Kruk and ESPN mutually agreed to part ways.[16] In February 2017, Comcast SportsNet announced that they hired Kruk to join the Philadelphia Phillies broadcast team, replacing Matt Stairs, who was hired as the Phillies' hitting coach.[17]

After moving to Naples, Florida, six years prior, Kruk took over the Seacrest Country Day School softball team as the head coach in 2016.[18] He was named the Florida Athletic Coaches Association Class 2A Coach of the Year for the district in his first year with the Stingrays.[19]

Honors and awards[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Salisbury, Jim (February 7, 2017). "John Kruk picks Phillies broadcast booth over eating all day". NBC Sports Philadelphia. Archived from the original on April 18, 2018.
  2. ^ John Kruk 1988 Topps baseball card, card number 596.
  3. ^ "San Francisco Giants at San Diego Padres Box Score, April 13, 1987 - Baseball-Reference.com". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 11 September 2016. Retrieved 27 June 2017.
  4. ^ a b c d e f Harki, Gary. "Baseball star John Kruk one of many fooled by bank robber Archived 2008-08-08 at the Wayback Machine", The Charleston Gazette, August 5, 2008.
  5. ^ "Jerry Crasnick: Starting 9 -- Memorable moments in Randy Johnson's career - ESPN". ESPN. 3 June 2009. Archived from the original on 13 November 2012. Retrieved 15 May 2012.
  6. ^ a b Ginsburg, David. "Kruk Ends Career on a Hitting Note," The Associated Press, Monday, July 31, 1995. Retrieved July 8, 2019
  7. ^ Rys, Richard. "John Kruk" Archived 2008-06-24 at the Wayback Machine, Philadelphia (magazine), June 2007. Accessed March 25, 2011. "Another surprise, at least to us, is that he lives in Mount Laurel, keeping such a low profile that Exit Interview didn't even know he was still here."
  8. ^ "2001 Reading Phillies". Gary Cohen. 17 July 2018. Archived from the original on 12 January 2018. Retrieved 17 July 2018.
  9. ^ "Today in Philly Sports History: John Kruk Makes the Homies Say Ho and the Girlies Wanna Scream, 2008". NBC Sports Philadelphia. NBC Sports Group. January 28, 2010. Archived from the original on September 28, 2021. Retrieved March 9, 2020.
  10. ^ Greenberg, Rudi (April 8, 2009). "Siren Songs: Neko Case". The Washington Post. Nash Holdings. Archived from the original on May 25, 2024. Retrieved March 9, 2020.
  11. ^ Lelane, Drake (January 29, 2008). "Music on Aqua Teen Hunger Force: Sirens and Nipples". MTV News. ViacomCBS Domestic Media Networks. Archived from the original on January 25, 2021. Retrieved March 9, 2020.
  12. ^ Krakow, Jonah (May 13, 2012). "Aqua Teen Hunger Force: "Sirens" Review". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on May 25, 2024. Retrieved March 9, 2020.
  13. ^ Hudak, Kristen (December 3, 2012). "ESPN's John Kruk Joins Sunday Night Baseball". ESPN Press Room. Archived from the original on September 20, 2021. Retrieved November 27, 2020.
  14. ^ "Davisson Brothers Band, John Kruk perform 'Baseball Tonight' theme". 2012-09-16. Archived from the original on 2017-11-15. Retrieved 2017-11-14.
  15. ^ "John Kruk Teams with Davisson Brothers Band for Musical Open". Gianina Thompson. 2015-07-02. Archived from the original on 2017-11-15. Retrieved 2017-11-14.
  16. ^ "Baseball analyst John Kruk out at ESPN". 3 October 2016. Archived from the original on 12 June 2017. Retrieved 27 June 2017.
  17. ^ DeNardo, Mike (7 February 2017). "John Kruk Joins Phillies TV Booth: 'I'm Too Old To Change'". Archived from the original on 23 March 2017. Retrieved 27 June 2017.
  18. ^ "Prep softball: Former MLB All-Star John Kruk named new Seacrest coach". Archived from the original on 2018-02-09. Retrieved 2018-02-08.
  19. ^ "Prep softball: Area FACA all-district selections announced". Naples Daily News. Archived from the original on 2018-02-09. Retrieved 2018-02-08.
  20. ^ "Archives - Philly.com". articles.philly.com. Archived from the original on 2012-09-03. Retrieved 27 June 2017.
  21. ^ Parrillo, Ray (August 13, 2011). "Kruk takes his place on Wall of Fame". Philly.com. Philadelphia Media Network. Archived from the original on October 21, 2012. Retrieved August 13, 2011.

External links[edit]

Wikiquote has quotations related to John Kruk.
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