John Kruk
From BR Bullpen
John Martin Kruk
- Bats Left, Throws Left
- Height 5' 10", Weight 204 lb.
- School Potomac State College, Community College of Allegheny County
- Debut April 7, 1986
- Final Game July 30, 1995
- Born February 9, 1961 in Charleston, WV USA
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[edit] Biographical Information
John Kruk is # 72 on the all-time list for on-base percentage. He made a memorable appearance in the 1993 All-Star Game. A Randy Johnson pitch sailed high and inside (over his head). Kruk's memorable reaction was to obviously breathe a sigh of relief that the fastball didn't hit him in the head. He subsequently struck out.
He retired on July 30, 1995 by telling his manager if he got a hit he was retiring. He singled in the first inning and was lifted for a pinch hitter never to play again. He finished his career with a .300 batting average on the dot.
He appeared in the 1996 movie The Fan as "Lanz." He once farted on-screen during a live broadcast of ESPN's Baseball Tonight. He is a commentator on ESPN.
[edit] Notable Achievements
- 3-time NL All-Star (1991-1993)
- 20-Home Run Seasons: 2 (1987 & 1991)
- 100 Runs Scored Seasons: 1 (1993)
[edit] Quotes
John Kruk was a good ballplayer and also a funny guy. Here are some of his quotes:
"Lady, I'm not an athlete. I'm a professional baseball player."
"I would think I drive most hitting coaches crazy. During one single at-bat I used six different stances on six pitches. Oh yeah, I also struck out. So what do I know ?"
[edit] Further Reading
- John Kruk and Paul Hagen: I Ain't an Athlete Lady..., Simon & Schuster, New York, NY, 1994 (ISBN 0671897942)
