John Kruk

By Brad Berreman
Love of Sports Correspondent

Though not always looking the part of a world-class athlete, former major leaguer John Kruk had a career batting average of .300 in his 10-year All-Star career.

Along with his 100 home runs and 592 RBI, he would hit .300 or better in seven of his 10 major league seasons and over .290 nine times.

Kruk made his major league debut with the San Diego Padres in 1986. The following season, he had a breakthrough year, hitting .313 with 20 HR, 91 RBI and 18 SB.

In 1989, Kruk had his big break by being traded to the Philadelphia Phillies. He would be a three-time All-Star for the Phils (1991-1993) while primarily playing first base after playing the outfield in San Diego. In ’93, the Phillies would go to the World Series, and Kruk would hit .348 in a losing effort against Toronto.

The next year was a trying one for Kruk, as he was diagnosed with testicular cancer after taking an errant pickoff throw in the groin from teammate Mitch Williams, breaking his protective cup. Knee problems had also started to plague him, due partially to the bad turf at Veteran’s Stadium. After that season, he was granted free agency.

Kruk played for the Chicago White Sox in ‘95, primarily as the team’s designated hitter. Despite hitting .308 for the ChiSox, he removed himself from a game in Baltimore in late July and would never play again.

Don’t let me forget Kruk’s role in the 1996 film The Fan with Robert DeNiro and Wesley Snipes. In the movie, Snipes plays a baseball player and Kruk is one of his teammates. His most memorable line in the film: “We all get to wear the number now, man.” I won’t get into my utter hatred for the film, but it was cool to see Kruk in it.

After his baseball career (real or on film), Kruk would turn to analyzing the game. He first joined FOX’s “The Best Damn Sports Show Period” and in 2004 was hired as an analyst for ESPN’s “Baseball Tonight.”

In my opinion, Kruk’s the best former player analyst ESPN has, with an honorable mention going to Orel Hershiser.

So, in honor of showing you didn’t have to have six-pack abs to succeed in a major American sport, here’s some Old School Love to John Kruk!