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{{Short description|American baseball player (born 1961)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2024}}
{{Infobox baseball biography
|name=John Kruk
|image=John Kruk 1992.jpg
|caption=Kruk playing in 1992
|position=[[First baseman]] / [[Outfielder]]
|bats=Left
|throws=Left
|birth_date={{Birth date and age|1961|2|9}}
|birth_place=[[Charleston, West Virginia]], U.S.
|debutleague = MLB
|debutdate=April 7
|debutyear=1986
|debutteam=San Diego Padres
|finalleague = MLB
|finaldate=July 30
|finalyear=1995
|finalteam=Chicago White Sox
|statleague = MLB
|stat1label=[[Batting average (baseball)|Batting average]]
|stat1value=.300
|stat2label=[[Home run]]s
|stat2value=100
|stat3label=[[Runs batted in]]
|stat3value=592
|teams=
* [[San Diego Padres]] ({{mlby|1986}}–{{mlby|1989}})
* [[Philadelphia Phillies]] ({{mlby|1989}}–{{mlby|1994}})
* [[Chicago White Sox]] ({{mlby|1995}})
|highlights=
* 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) 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 education==
Kruk was raised in [[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==

===San Diego Padres===
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>

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 />

===Philadelphia Phillies===
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]] 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=https://www.espn.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>

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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1993 World Series - Toronto Blue Jays over Philadelphia Phillies (4-2) |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/1993_WS.shtml |access-date=2025-01-28 |website=Baseball-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref>

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://web.archive.org/web/20181001121312/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==
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 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=dead }}</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".

In {{Baseball year|2004}}, [[ESPN]] hired Kruk as an analyst on ''[[Baseball Tonight (MLB)|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.{{cn|date=March 2017}}

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|work=Sporting News |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=[[The Philadelphia Inquirer]]|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=dead}}</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==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{wikiquote}}
{{Portal|Biography|Baseball}}
*{{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

{{Philadelphia Phillies}}
{{Philly Baseball Wall of Fame}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kruk, John}}
[[Category:1961 births]]
[[Category:20th-century American sportsmen]]
[[Category:Águilas de Mexicali players]]
[[Category:Allegany Trojans baseball players]]
[[Category:American expatriate baseball players in Mexico]]
[[Category:American people of Polish descent]]
[[Category:Baseball players from West Virginia]]
[[Category:Beaumont Golden Gators players]]
[[Category:Chicago White Sox players]]
[[Category:ESPN people]]
[[Category:Journalists from West Virginia]]
[[Category:Keyser High School alumni]]
[[Category:Las Vegas 51s players]]
[[Category:Las Vegas Stars (baseball) players]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Major League Baseball broadcasters]]
[[Category:Major League Baseball first basemen]]
[[Category:Male actors from West Virginia]]
[[Category:National League All-Stars]]
[[Category:Philadelphia Phillies announcers]]
[[Category:Philadelphia Phillies players]]
[[Category:Potomac State Catamounts baseball players]]
[[Category:Reading Phillies players]]
[[Category:Reno Padres players]]
[[Category:San Diego Padres players]]
[[Category:Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barons players]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Charleston, West Virginia]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Keyser, West Virginia]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Mount Laurel, New Jersey]]
[[Category:Walla Walla Padres players]]
[[Category:Writers from Keyser, West Virginia]]