Deadspin
We remember, when John Kruk left "The Best Damn Sports Show" to join "Baseball Tonight," we worried that it would dumb down the show. At the time, it was pretty much Tim Kurkjian, Peter Gammons, Jayson Stark ... a bunch of smart baseball people discussing the great game. Kruk was a different kind of baseball person, we'd say.
We're not sure Kruk is that bad, though, and we are regular "Baseball Tonight" watchers. But man, those hair explosions. The Sports Hernia has had quite a bit of fun with this.
Of course, for Philly fans — or anyone who, like us, loved that 1993 team — Kruk will always hold a special place in the heart. And he's not crazy like Daulton either.
So: Do you like the John Kruk? Do you not like the John Kruk? Voters unite!
Comments
One ball joke in 3..2..1..
Take your ball and go home, son.
@DumpsterDining: he's 3 balls away from a walk?
He's like your drunk, redneck uncle who just happened to be a damn good ballplayer.
Approve.
Of course, for Philly fans - or anyone who, like us, loved that 1993 team - Kruk will always hold a special place in the heart.
Jays fans prefer Mitch Williams.
@Juancho: Damn, could you have timed that any more perfectly?
Dips during broadcasts.
Approve.
Suck on that, Schilling.
One of the first (and largest) signs of the decline of TWWL from must-watch to godawful. Heartily disapprove.
John Kruk. Disapprove.
Kruk on ATHF. Approve
I can't possibly boo any louder right now. People are staring.
fat guy in a litt-le coat...
fat guy in a litt-le coat
Kruk the "athelete"? Approve.
Kruk the analyst? Disapprove.
Meh.
@ltwinslow: nearly made me do a spit-take. +1
He is starting to look a lot like Chris Farley might have looked doing an impression of John Kruk. For that alone, I approve.
@Rob Iracane: in Jersey? No they're not. They're looking for something to throw at whoever you are booing.
RUTH DID IT ON HOT DOGS AND BEER
KRUK DID IT TOO, BUT WORSE
I'm a Phillies (and ATHF) fan. There's no way I can disapprove of Old One Ball.
@ltwinslow:
Shut up, Richard.
Can I see a picture of him cruising in his IROC before I make a decision?
KILL IT
Definitely took a few pitches to the head while not wearing a helmet. Disapprove.
UNO!
In true Kruk fashion, can I approve today and then disapprove next week because my producer told me to take a contraian stance?
The first sign that Baseball Tonight was changing from appointment TV watching to "watch Rays highlights and change the channel." Disapprove.
Careful what you say about Dutch Daulton, he can go back in time and kill your dad before you were born.
Jesus Christ, John Kruk blows.
Sounds like he has a whole pig in his mouth when he talks.
Disapprove
He accidentally left an egg-salad sandwich inside a briefcase which, upon being opened, unleashed a horde of Canadian soldiers upon the Yankees players.
I guess that's an approval vote on my part.
did anybody watch baseball tonight when he went on a yelling rant about how to field and throw?
disapprove
The man's autobiography was called "I Ain't an Athlete, Lady." And he ended his career with exactly a .300 average and exactly 100 home runs. And I think he's hilarious on Baseball Tonight.
Approve.
It used to be a strong disapprove until he became a Siren.
[www.adultswim.com]
Now all is forgiven.
This Tony Siragusa of baseball broadcasting has ruined Baseball Tonight for me. Disapprove.
@Carl Everett's Fossil Collection: Nope, saw it, made the joke. Priceless.
Um, Kruk's wikipedia page says this:
"Kruk is currently dating ESPN Sideline Reporter Erin Andrews"
WHAT!
[en.wikipedia.org]
I like John Kruk and Rob/Ron Dibble for the same reason:
Great. Fucking. Stories.
Approve.
He passes the 'dude I wouldn't mind getting loaded with at a sports bar' test. Approve.
@Lady Andrea: +1 to you if that's a How I Met Your Mother reference.
-1 to me if it's not and I just made it one.
He was the inspiration for my little league batting stance. Approve.
He turned his back on Harold Reynolds!
disapprove
Web gems!!! Touch 'em all!!! Berman!!! And the fear was that Kruk would "dumb" it down?
Approve.
I love John Kruk. Every time I see him, I think of Randy Johnson firing a fastball over his head to start the 93 World Series. Then, I think of Randy Johnson hitting that bird and I laugh so hard that beer comes out my nose.
@Pittsburgh Sports and Mini Ponies: Disapprove for the image that just entered my mind.
Of course, for Philly fans - or anyone who, like us, loved that 1993 team
Yeah, those 1993 World Series Champion Phillies were certainly something.
Wait...
As a fat man, I have to approve.
He looks like a curly haired brother of John Daly. They should pair up for a best ball tournament or something.
@Jeff Martin: yes! That is totally a HIMYM reference. Good show.
He's like Emmitt Smith, but not quite as bad. Makes me want to put my head through a wall, as opposed to making me want to stab my eyes out with a fork and burn down Bristol.
@Suss--: +1
Dissapprove, he uses too much relaxer
@Pittsburgh Sports and Mini Ponies: I hope that isn't true because that makes me want to throw up at the mental image.
John Kruk is not a good singer.
@Pittsburgh Sports and Mini Ponies: I don't believe it
@Jeff Martin: How about -1 for watching that show?
Approve.
Now bring back Harold Reynolds.
Chrysanthemum and the BJ queen approve.
@Magnakai Haaskivi: @The Trying Too Hard To Look Young Face: @do tell:
If it IS true, would you still go for Erin knowing its Kruk's sloppy seconds? And I must emphasize sloppy
I thought she said she liked guys who take care of themselves?
Kruk the Talking head
/Disapprove
Kruk the Baseball player
/approve
Chris Farley as John Kruk the Baseball Player
/Wholeheartedly approve
@Pittsburgh Sports and Mini Ponies: He edited his own Wikipedia page and wrote that!
at least he's honest about not being the brightest or most articulate guy. I'd hate him if he was pulling a Steve Phillips where he still pontificates about things and expecting us to ignore the fact that he was a failure as a GM and holds grudges against everyone that didn't accept his contract offers.
@Secret Identity: I didn't know you had to be WS champ to like a team.
@HockeyMountain:
Nealon "John, you know you had a game tonight right?"
Farley as Kruk "Damn it! What was the score?"
Keyser, WV's homeboy John Kruk!
that explains it all to me....
@Afino: SNY snatched him up, apparently, although I've seen him, like, once since his local cable debut.
As for Kruk, I used to think he was amusing when he'd go on Letterman in the early 90s. But on Baseball Tonight, he's just another representative of ESPN's "Hire Guys Who Shout" approach to sports analysis. Certainly not the worst example, but an example.
i remember my dad used to take me to Phils games @ the Vet back in the day and he and i used to yell "Doughnuts... get your doughnuts here!" whenever Kruk would come up to bat.
yeah... we're Met fans.