John Kruk is Better Than You Remember...

[@Cam23]

I do realize that comparing Kruk's stats to second basemen is a little out of the ordinary, but I should have prefaced it with this. Of all the players I saw on the All Star team for 1987, I felt that second base was the weakest selections, and thus if they had selected the proper second baseman, Juan Samuel, Kruk could have potentially taken Sandberg's spot on the bench. All Star Games don't always have to have the perfect roster. And realistically, Kruk should have made the All Star team anyways.

[@kalebstuckey570]

I think you thought John Kruk was a left-handed second baseman.

[@Cam23]

@@kalebstuckey570 You can think whatever you want but I didn't make it clear in the script what my intentions were. It very clearly says he was a first baseman and left fielder on baseball reference.

[@sobaze]

A Giant you should do for the forgotten series is Mel Ott. Amazing player. Totally forgotten.

[@sambarnard9628]

I couldn't figure out the comparison...thanks 4 clarifying

[@NoNameNo.5]

He can’t buy a drink in Philadelphia. Hero in this town! In 93 I was 10 years old, this dude, those dudes, that team was magic!

[@matthewheide4797]

I remember John Kruk as a hitting machine and a charlie hustle. He also had a sense of humor and it was an All Star Game after all. Rocked that mullet like a boss .

[@Cam23]

He was an all around stud in MLB!

[@alanvallazza9781]

His Phillies made one world series with him on the team. But lost to the Toronto Blue Jays 30 years ago.

[@MM-qi5mk]

Bro hit 300 in the show …. Fucking legend

[@whatsupthom]

he’s a terrific announcer and it really stands out how much he enjoys the game and how he doesn’t look down on current players the way so many old cranks do. great player and a great dude!

[@JimWelsh-f6l]

John KRUK was one of the best hitters in the game. He was born with Philadelphia blood in him. Everything he did he did it playing hard. Now he still lives in the Philadelphia area. Cause he is Philadelphia. This city and the suburbs and south Jersey loves John KRUK forever. One of the hardest players ever played for the Philadelphia Phillies. Love you John KRUK thank you for the memories mostly 93.

[@fredcasdensworld]

To be fair, he lives in the area because he still gets free beer

[@JimWelsh-f6l]

@fredcasdensworld I don't think John is drinking much anymore. He has had some health problems. He is looking a lot better after he got surgery. But he did love beer. He does Phillies games so he is in my living room every home game.

[@breal1183]

If all you remember of Kruk is him striking out to Randy Johnson in the All-Star game, then you aren't a fan!!

[@patrick4662]

Or you probably weren’t alive or at least lucid when he was playing

[@chickenbiscuitbabyyewww9580]

@@patrick4662or you’re scared of pure legendary old school cream of the crop shit kicking ball blasting bastards, you could be getting your swings in instead of commenting horseradish

[@jimmansi9046]

I once saw Tony Gwyn asked in an interview “who is the best pure hitter you’ve ever seen?” His answer was John Kruk, I was shocked but it’s true, Kruk was a hitting machine

[@Cam23]

That's high praise!

[@fetch_happens]

They were roommates in the minors in Hawaii. Pads should have never moved him.

[@theapologist6717]

Kruk’s wicked OBP numbers before the Moneyball era and relatively low HR numbers during the beginning of the steroid era did not help his cause either. Like John Olerud, he was a bit ahead of his time.

[@Cam23]

That’s a great point!

[@johnquigley3671]

I miss krukie during these playoffs….I loved him as a player, I adore him as an announcer. Let’s gooooooooooooooooo. I need my parade.

[@bobstewart8032]

One of my favorite Phillies players. The early 90s teams were fun to watch. Now he does a great job in the booth! Go Fightin Phils!

[@warp9pk767]

John Kruk was a true blessing to have watched during his time with the phils.... Ashame baseball is basically trash and unwatchable now.... These were the golden years when guys like him were in the league... Never knew how much adversity he had to combat just to exist in the league.... What a f legend.

[@broadstbullies9342]

I remember Kruk more as a broadcaster and love him as a broadcaster 😂😂😂

[@boogitybear2283]

My very first baseball game was in St. Louis August 6, 1992. Cardinals vs. Phillies. John Kruk was one of my first players to watch in person. He will always have a special moment in my life.

[@Cam23]

That’s an awesome memory. Thanks for sharing!

[@mjt7231]

Grew up watching Kruk. He was an awesome hitter. One of the toughest outs you can imagine. Dude just got on base.

[@mikeoaster1935]

As a Phillies fan, I absolutely love Kruk, the Person. I was born in 1999, so I didn't get to see him play. That being said, he is absolutely adored in this city and it is very much deserved. Love John Kruk

[@sethtate2079]

If you were growing up in the 80s and 90s like myself of course you knew John kruk. But he's one of those under the radar guys that your not going to find his name in any record books. Like a Micheal young or a Derek bell type player. Really good but never the best at anything.

[@MarvinMonroe]

Dykstra, Kruk, Mitch Williams, Daulton, that Phillies team had a bunch of characters

[@benjaminapeterson]

I was 13 in 1993. It was the first championship run I'd ever seen as a Philly sports fan. I'll never forget that magical year as long as I live. Kruk's jersey still hangs on my wall in my basement.

[@MarvinMonroe]

@@benjaminapeterson yup I was 14, just started 9th grade 93-94. Bout 20 miles north of Cincinnati so I of course always rooted for National League

[@RussianColluder]

The dude ripped cigs and drank 2 pitchers of beer a night. Imagine if he worked out or did roids.

[@Cam23]

For real! 😂

[@FearsomeFireFanpage]

I found this channel back in 2018 when i saw your reaction the Manny Machado trade to the Dodgers, and i subscribed then, and i'm glad you are posting really good quality content still :)

[@Cam23]

I appreciate you sticking around since 2018! That means a lot 🙌🏼

[@joker57]

John is not Forgotten, we got him around the park, and the team. Come on man!

[@Cam23]

@@joker57 Well clearly I didn't forget him or else I wouldn't have made this video! LOL

[@harryjohnson6921]

Kruk didn’t play 2nd base in 1987 for the Padres

[@stephensaltau6481]

Rumor has it when he retired,he drove home and caught the rest of the game on t.v.Classic Kruk.

[@mclovin2155]

I remember John Kruk from Aqua Teen.

[@2012srp]

Actually, I think Kruk is remembered a lot more highly than he deserves. People who were baseball fans in the mid-80s to mid-90s all remember John Kruk, and that's remarkable for a guy with only 1170 career hits. There is no way that most baseball fans would think he had that few hits. It's too bad he couldn't stay healthy and stay on the field. I don't think there's another career .300 hitter in the league for 10 seasons who never had more than 169 hits in a season. UPDATE...I actually found one. Hal Morris 13 seasons, 1207 hits and a career .304 batting average. Amazing.

[@MegaMantim]

Loved Kruk...Finished up with the White Sox as DH...

[@steve8383]

His mullet was simply perfect. I wish I could grow a mullet like that.

[@zacharybell9782]

Legend.

[@scottyvnc]

I stumbled upon this video while searching for video of the September 5th, 1990 game between the Cubs and the Phils. I was at that game, sitting along the 3rd base line. I mistakenly scooped up a Kruk hit that bounced fair on the line. They ruled it a ground rule double of course. Security was kind enough to not kick me out of Veterans Stadium and let me keep the ball since it was close.

[@Cam23]

Wow that’s a cool story! Glad they were nice enough to let you enjoy the game and knew it wasn’t on purpose

[@yduker]

Kruk was literally my favorite player from when he was on the Padres, even though I lived in Philly. I still remember opening the Inquirer on a Saturday mornign and seeing that the Phillies traded for him. Having said that, the All-Star game is played in July, so comparing full season stats makes no sense. What were their respective stats at the end of June? Also, Juan "Sam-well" not Juan "Sam-uel."

[@Archimedes43]

Sing for him, John Kruk!

[@robgregory5136]

Guy could flat out hit. He also makes dull games entertaining

[@NickyMontagna21]

He was not forgotten 💀

[@libertybellbill4439]

Great Video On John Kruk Telling The Whole Truth

[@dixonnormous]

great vid man

[@Cam23]

Thanks!

[@mistermaykul]

Guy probably played more games hungover than anybody else

[@dcatura1]

Does any know where I can find video of John Kruk’s last hit? I just heard a story about it and I would love to see the video. Thanks in advance!

[@Cam23]

I've looked on MLB Film Room and searched on a few other highlight websites and have had no luck yet. I'll keep looking and if I find it I'll send it your way!

[@omazing5117]

Im a huge baseball dan I didn’t even know who this guy was!

[@Cam23]

That’s the beauty of KZbin! Bringing attention to players who may not be super well known today

[@omazing5117]

@@Cam23 and orioles magic today🕺🕺🕺🕺

[@Cam23]

@@omazing5117 indeed!

[@omazing5117]

@@Cam23 playoff run dying blood pressure rising tonight i will be crying -depressed orioles fan

[@Cam23]

@@omazing5117 😔

[@blacktooth3336]

My Dad got drunk with the Krukster!!!

[@Cam23]

With the ole Krukster 😂😂😂

[@channelmar15]

I'm sure with over a million dollars he got two chicks at the same time, especially with that mullet!

[@mtrossi4192]

Second basemen?

[@Cam23]

In hindsight I forgot to mention that second base was weakly selected, therefore prohibiting Kruk to be selected as a reserve. I outlined my thought process in the pinned comment.

[@jordanhunter9463]

Can you explain why you are comparing Kruk to second basemen and not first basemen? Kruk played a whopping ZERO career innings at 2B.

[@Cam23]

I should have prefaced my comparison by acknowledging that while Kruk never played second base, I believe that the election of second base is what cost Kruk a selection. I believe Juan Samuel should have started at second, and Kruk should have taken over as a reserve instead of Ryne Sandberg. Sorry for the confusion, I know Kruk was mainly a first baseman and outfielder.

[@freedomfest2741]

Ryan Sandberg was more popular with fans and critics.

[@money7102]

Look like Tommy Boy 😂😂

[@kennethconnatser7542]

Kruk fan here. You compare his stats to second basemen, but Kruk was a firstbaseman. Do better.

[@Cam23]

You're right! I should do better. I made a mistake, and I should do better!

[@robloxvids2233]

You're not even pronouncing Juan Samuel's name correctly, which means you probably weren't alive when either of these guys played. I grew up in the '80s and any baseball fan knew Kruk was a great hitter. Didn't have the power you might assume from his appearance but his swing wasn't built for power. A prototypical good Kruk hit was driving a pitch away opposite field for a double to the gap. Grew up a Cards fan but Kruk was a really good contact hitter. There were a few fatties back then who could really hit. Gwynn, Puckett, and Kruk.

[@Cam23]

I wasn't, which is why I wasn't aware of the pronunciation. Yeah Kruk had some comparisons that I read to Tony Gwynn, and while obviously the stats weren't identical by any means, he was a great pure hitter.

[@jerrycowley6784]

Sam-WELL. Another all star from those years. Google is yer friend.