John Kruk’s infamous prank on rookie Chase Utley from 2003

Shortly after his MLB debut and hitting a grand slam for his 1st MLB hit in 2003.
John Kruk and the Phillies pulled this hilarious prank on a rookie Chase Utley tricking him into believing his call up was invalid.

[@ecardullo10]

"Did you honestly think Major League Baseball would make me a member of the rules committee?" Dead.

[@stevenwilliams9918]

First time I've seen this. That line cracked me up as well. Great stuff!

[@bulletprooftiger1879]

That was a great way/joke to reveal the prank!

[@PYLrulz1984]

That line cracks me up every time, no matter how many times I’ve watched that

[@thomasrichardson-ev1wp]

John one time was in the batters box smoking a cigarette when a lady in the stands said “You shouldn’t be smoking. You’re an athlete.” John looked over at her and said,”. Lady I’m no athlete. I’m a baseball player.” 😅

[@sepiaknight47]

“you mean even the game where he pinch hit and went 0-1” i died

[@JeromeArmstrong]

Chase wiped his brow and hair back on that one😂

[@MrSoccerball100]

lolo…. That was the best part imo

[@noshotnova2432]

Kudos to all of them for playing it cool. I'd have blown it no doubt.

[@ObiWanKenobi]

@@noshotnova2432 then you have the emotional capacity of a 5 year old

[@TL2354]

Hopefully you did

[@assass7012]

Fact this was almost 20 years ago scares me

[@IH8AI]

The replay of that home run looks like it was shot in the 70s x_x

[@Aloysious0013]

Yeah no gout then brother

[@shakascloset1700]

Time sure does fly

[@juanalmos1959]

And chase had a way better career than kruk

[@ledzep9943]

@@IH8AI how fuckin young are you? 🤣

[@eldiablo3794]

John Kruk is like the Chris Farley of professional baseball.

[@traviskeck3138]

I still remember Chris Farley portraying Kruk on an SNL sketch during the player's strike in 94.

[@scourge8097]

Yes...but not as athletic.

[@eldiablo3794]

@@scourge8097 yea, John kruk is not as athletic as Chris Farley lol... Farley was on a whole nother level with his physical comedy and stamina he might as well been labeled an athlete. Also, Kruk is the one who said he's a baseball player not an athlete.

[@eldiablo3794]

@@traviskeck3138 Yea, I remember that! Have you seen Farley portray Rudy Giuliani's son, Andrew during the Yankee stadium opening day skit? From the same season too, 1994. 😂

[@boataxe4605]

@@eldiablo3794 Yeah, but it was a double edged sword, the cocaine that gave him all of that energy eventually killed him.

[@jamesnichols2348]

I'm not an athlete. I'm a baseball player. - John Kruk

[@strongestnattyever-videos2247]

Baseball is part of athletics, so therefore he would be an athlete. Dumb comment.

[@Disembow1280]

@@strongestnattyever-videos2247 Hope tomorrow's better for you king

[@Whoopdido777]

@@strongestnattyever-videos2247 Haven’t you ever seen Mr. Baseball with Tom Selleck?

[@Jlundeen]

@@strongestnattyever-videos2247 Take it up with Kruk. I'm sure he'd see your respectful point and retract what he said about himself.

[@strongestnattyever-videos2247]

@@Disembow1280 hopefully as great as today! 😀

[@alexdigiacomo2805]

John Kruk is a national treasure… beloved in Philly forever.

[@lisacateyes53]

Same in San Diego!

[@cousinjimmy2638]

He's ours forever in Philly.

[@Gmoney00718]

Philly is a shitty ass city he’s not proud of that

[@dabigboss32]

So this is why Chase always looked ticked off 😂

[@blankname6629]

I just thought it was because he had not met his friend mac yet? He was super impressed with mac’s speed.

[@cvn6555]

He was described early on as "taciturn" and it seems to have been accurate. Just a guy that loved baseball and had immense talent for it. Didn't really want to be mobbed every time he left the house.

[@ericarnold8508]

"I think it's Ruben's fault" Truer words have never been spoken.

[@jimwerther]

Lol!

[@JosephsCoat]

Hahahaha

[@MM-ud1xf]

Who can forget those long, red eye flights from Scranton to Philly. Sometimes they’re over fifteen minutes long.

[@cvn6555]

Had a flight from Philly to Williamsport (one of the rare times that airport has been in use) and it seemed like we climbed to altitude, sky waitress chucked peanuts at us and then we descended. Ridiculous.

[@PantsofVance]

"sky waitress" lol @@cvn6555

[@patrickwall8517]

I would be willing to bet my life savings that no professional athlete has ever had more fun playing a game for a living.

[@mikedauplaise7477]

Bob Uecker would be on that short list, too.

[@muddysouth55]

Beltre

[@senororlando2]

Favre

[@dannyperrino5308]

I once ran into Kruk on the ferry from Delaware to Jersey. He was with his whole family and little kids. He was such a doting dad. Running back and forth to the snack bar for his kids. He caught my eye on one of his trips to the snack bar and he just rolled his eyes and we both laughed. I was so impressed by what a nice guy and loving family man he was. I can’t even remember how many years ago this was, but it was when he was on ESPN at the time.

[@geraldgarner4068]

Pictures or it didn't happen!

[@stt5v2002]

"For his kids."

[@tonydagostino6158]

Kruk was a hoot. I'll never forget him turning his batting helmet around and batting in the other box to face Randy Johnson in the All-Star game

[@danielsmith2001]

That was Larry Walker in '97. Johnson vs Kruk was in '93 and it went... differently. kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZnjbloWqntdjpaM

[@tonydagostino6158]

@@danielsmith2001 I guess I did forget it

[@scotthellertaxes217]

Kruk did that too? I remember Larry Walker doing that…😂😂😂

[@michaeldesrosier1068]

Pretty sure that was Larry Walker.

[@tonydagostino6158]

@@michaeldesrosier1068 Yes, see the other reply about my misremembering

[@dougbodenhamer9391]

John Kruk, one of the all time fun characters.

[@TeamFish15]

Shoulda stretched it out a little further and told Utley that he was going to be on the hook for the hotel room, and he was going to have to purchase the airline ticket back to Scranton.😂🤣

[@philipkeeler9997]

And since he broke the rules, he'd have to sit out the rest of the season in the minors. and forfeit his earnings.

[@ILOVETHEWHAMMY]

With a layover in Juneau, AK and Honolulu, HI

[@philipkeeler9997]

'What we gotta know is that you didn't just drive yourself here and slip yourself into the lineup.' Chase so dismayed he couldn't see the forest through his fluttering bowel.

[@juliebraden6911]

"slip yourself into the lineup" was complete gold.

[@rogerbing5314]

I'm from Scranton and it was really special seeing Utley, J-Ro, Howard, Victerino, work their way up the system.

[@MB-rr1fb]

NO WAY Bowa would be that calm, lol

[@raymondhoagland4976]

What a character the Kruker is 😂👏

[@michaelwainscott2633]

Was Kruk born fat or did he grow into it?

[@chemicalimbalance7030]

The man loved baseball through and through

[@philliesphorever1964]

Chase Utley and John Kruk : All Love and Spunk ❤️⚾️❤️

[@georgesitaras1591]

keeping a straight face for that long was pretty impressive.

[@user-zr9bh7nq3m]

I love John KRUK. I am a 64 year old man I walked to Connie Mack stadium when I was a Rugrat with my dad. So I have been a Phillies fan forever and John kruk loves Philadelphia he still lives here and we love him as much as he loves us. A great human being.

[@antoniocuriel9125]

This never gets old!

[@doublebread2218]

Anybody else old enough to remember " this week in t.w.i.b notes"..

[@paulready8897]

That was pretty funny. Should have kept the prank going longer. Looked like Chase had no idea who Kruker was. If the other 2 people in the room were in on the prank they did a great job playing along.

[@Gabor123]

Kruk was a steady .300 batter while Utley was growing up and in his teens. I guess he would know who Krukkie was

[@rohunsaigal2576]

Kruk was a Philly fan favorite Chase would have known who he was

[@super8bitvideos]

They did a great job playing along? They sat there silently. You telling me you'd be hooping and hollering in your chair in anticipation of the punch line?

[@BARKER22-l4u]

SMH

[@BrianBowman-mw9vt]

@@super8bitvideosboth the manager and the GM had a part in the prank and did their lines with a straight face

[@robertcrist5747]

Kruky was one of the great characters of baseball.....And a damn good baseball player! 😉👍

[@larrymosher5045]

Kruk,good hitter,good eater.good with the bat,good with the fork..

[@doublesharp5795]

Great in the broadcast booth, too!@@larrymosher5045

[@LaMostraVia]

Chase Utley was a hell of a ball player This is one of the greatest pranks ever thank you for uploading I’ve never seen this!!!! 🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆

[@AntiPlatitude]

YT surprisingly recommended this video to me, and for once I am glad they actually showed me something I wanted to see. Hadn’t seen this clip in quite a while, and it brought a smile to my face that was just as big as when I saw it for the first time. Love John Kruk. I was a little leaguer in the mid 80’s, and even though I threw right handed, I batted lefty. I used to try to mimic his batting stance when my buddies and I were horsing around on the diamond.

[@JV-df9em]

“Did you drive or fly” 😂

[@cakeboss21]

“I think it’s Ruben’s fault” had me rolling

[@markbrown9838]

Always enjoyed watching John Kruk play. This is like the third or fourth time I've watched this since it was posted to KZbin and it's funnier each time I watch it.

[@LincolnHawk-bk5yr]

Baseball - and the world, needs a lot more John Kruks.

[@TheStraightDope857]

I like where Ed Wade goes "I think it's Ruben's fault"...

[@donarthiazi2443]

"That might help. I think what they want to see is a plane ticket"... well make up your mind Krukster!! 🤣🤣

[@OpinionatedPeach]

Leaves his spitter in the bosses office like a Haas.

[@robsimpson6537]

Hilarious 😂. Nice job John kruk.

[@ivgondef4408]

John’s brother Joe Kruk was my high school basketball coach at Enka high school in Enka North Carolina. I got to meet John and play basketball against him. he was a very funny and athletic guy

[@krrr427]

I feel like Utley knew this was a prank all along.

[@ThePhl4ever]

The Kyle Kendrick prank was a classic as well.

[@dedgzus6808]

Being traded for a hot dog eater from japan.

[@user-yi5sp1md3g]

@@dedgzus6808 Is that video available somewhere?

[@dedgzus6808]

@@user-yi5sp1md3g Just search Kyle Kendrick trade prank. I believe it was Brett Meyers who pranked him.

[@mikedruce1701]

Happy this dude has a World Series win.

[@pillettadoinswartsh4974]

I think maybe the cameraman filming this, was the giveaway.

[@nonamenoname246]

No, actually the filming is required in case there is an appeal. Although as a member of the rules committee, Kruk knew full well that this sort of decision could not be appealed.

[@lisacateyes53]

Kruk started out with the Padres and has always been a very popular player who marched to the beat of a different drummer and I am sure that applies to his time in Philly. What a character, player and person, funny as hell and always gave it his all whether between the foul lines, the dugout or locker room.

[@SavagesInMyTown]

how did they keep a straight face? lol im the worst when it comes to these pranks because i break so easy

[@philipkeeler9997]

'Hey, I'm tryin' to help you out here.' Like the lawyer in colusion with the railroaders in the DA's office.

[@juliebraden6911]

It looked like Kruk was struggling to hold it together in a couple spots there. But I'm like you, I would have lost it 2 sentences in.

[@nonamenoname246]

@@philipkeeler9997 You can tell that Kruk is thinking of the plan of forging a home lease for Utley to establish his Philly residence and maybe get to stay on the team, but that Kruk did not know if Utley would "play ball" (with the plan).

[@mikewebster8224]

To all who haven't seen Kruk's guest appearance on Aqua Teen Hunger Force, I cannot recommend it enough.

[@wadeadams4263]

John Kruks all-star game at bat is Classic

[@billbrasski4934]

John Kruk havin a ball with the new guy😂

[@briansimcoe9119]

He ain't got no alibis, he's Utley.

[@donaldstevens932]

Man I love Kruk!

[@socraytes]

As a lifelong Pirates fan, I love me some John Kruk. He gives off great Chris Farley vibes.

[@johnnynephrite6147]

John Kruk is a legend.

[@andrewvelonis5940]

"Do honestly think major league baseball wubblemrnbtp" What?

[@Humma_Kavula]

Yes.

[@mitchellhughes5180]

Would make me a member of the rules committee

[@jordanpenzien3054]

Ya cool, but this was 2003 and a cam recorder was filming what would otherwise be a entirety private conversation. He 100% knew what was up. GET REAL 🤣

[@cornfilledscreamer614]

Kruk is one of the funniest SOB's that has ever lived.

[@TheStuport]

"Welcome To The Big Leagues" Perfect!

[@Seakaye2s]

Sitting in Kruks old home in WV watching this, kinda wild. He was a beast

[@kge420]

Our son and I were at this game. What a first hit!

[@pandomratterns7328]

We do not share a child.

[@T-dog_jenkins]

@@pandomratterns7328 Do not deny your offspring... look at his eyes and look at that head of hair... it's the spitting image of you.

[@TexasSausage]

@@pandomratterns7328 😂. *soviet union anthem plays*

[@IamGenoBlack]

Any player that would be on ATHF is already a legend to me but this takes the cake

[@calvindomin441]

That ending will forever get me 🤣🤣

[@jeromemanley7885]

Dropping Scranton and the filming makes this feel like the Office lol

[@TheLawCenter]

That was one of the funniest things I ever saw.

[@theoriginalchefboyoboy6025]

Every video appearance of Kruk should be preceded by him bailing out on three straight pitches against Randy Johnson in the All-Star game...

[@cvn6555]

Saw Johnson up close once at a game. Dude looks ten feet tall and pissed. Don't blame Kruk.

[@williamsmith9606]

Oh gosh, John Kruk seemed like one of those fellas that I’d like to have a beer with. Life can be hard, but it’s even harder if you take it too seriously. ;)

[@tommacari4103]

That made my day :D

[@PS-cj2gn]

Kruk is the mlb version of Barkley from the NBA.

[@dantillson8702]

Awesome!

[@heypistolero]

John Kruk has always been hilarious. He did a great job on Aqua Teen Hunger Force as well

[@jessegreene4553]

Never seen someone run so fast around the bases on a home run.

[@esm1469]

finally the KZbin algorithm nails one

[@scm0717]

Poor Chase! LOL! We love you and John!

[@Shawn-Leider]

Kruk was great. His retirement is one I could never forget. If u don’t know about it look it up. Hilarious

[@georgelupi6684]

My two all time favorite phillies 🇺🇸

[@jaynesemurfin5621]

Just a beer drinkin, good ol boy from Keyser WVa. Met him at a potomac state fundraiser golf tournament in Keyser. As down to earth as they come. ESPN messed up big time getting rid of him.

[@clarkgardiner6795]

Very Cool. That's my boy Chase. I watched him throughout his career. HOF

[@bradensmith661]

kruk is a national treasure man.

[@SPAMNATOR]

Funny stuff. Today, there would be a lawsuit for mental anguish.

[@southbeachtalent]

If you're in your mid 30's to early 40s there's a really good chance these are your 2 favorite Phillies players ever

[@cvn6555]

Schmitty needs to be number one. Even Richie Ashburn referred to Michael Jack as the "greatest Phillie of all time". Whitey made that call and we all need to live by it.

[@southbeachtalent]

@@cvn6555 Yeah I can't debate that. That's why I mentioned the age range. It's mine and I never got to see him play

[@cvn6555]

You should watch clips. Not only was he a great power hitter but his fielding was absolutely the best. Watching him charge a bouncing grounder, bare hand it with his throwing hand and nail the throw to first, all while running in the opposite direction left my jaw on the floor a dozen times. And he would bare hand it as his arm was in the process of cocking to make the throw. Dude could leap into the air and somehow turn to make a throw before landing. Made a bunch of Brooks Robinson style stabs way outside the foul line and got the runner. Really just amazing.

[@joiamitchell6846]

Favorite doesn't mean BEST. It's pretty hard to have a player be your favorite when you never actually saw him play live and got emotionally attached. @@cvn6555

[@salkdhfpoahergpoahre1534]

Takes huge ball to pull a prank like that

[@jash6105]

“Did you fly or drive here?”

[@billdelaney4222]

What a team that was

[@johnhelms8226]

Greatness.

[@eternallife]

Baseball Gold right there.

[@stevenfagaly3810]

I got the strong sense Utley was not fooled at all.

[@JGunit]

"You drove? That might help" lol

[@philsar22]

hahahahaahaha Utley has to have the fastest homerun trott in baseball he always sprinted around them bases!!

[@jimwelsh997]

I remember when John first came to the PHILLIES. The first time I seen him walk into the batters box. He said something to the umpire and catcher on the other team . And they all busted out laughing. I wish I knew what he said. But I fell in love with him just for the fact he was just a normal guy. He reminded me of the babe. He enjoyed his beer and hotdogs and he was one of the best hitters in baseball. Now I enjoy listening to him and Tom do the Phillies games John only does the home games. But you better believe you are going to be entertained. He will have you laughing and he loves Philadelphia there's no doubt about that at all. He enjoys the other sports teams in Philly he really likes the SIXERS. I hope everything went good with his surgeries in October.

[@jgatenby6120]

The last road trip of the season would've been so much sweeter with Kruk. I wish we could've heard his voice when we clinched the WC spot. ...let alone the rest of that run.

[@Targetverified82]

Truer words have never been spoken. And the Mets like to think they have the best commentators in the game lol not a chance, when Krukker's in the booth!

[@jimwelsh997]

@@Targetverified82 JWrizzle you must be a Phillies fan for you to agree with me. Thanks for that and besides how can anyone not love John kruk. And there's one thing you were going to do when watching a Phillies game. John was going to make us laugh most of the game. When him and his buddy the fanatic comes into the booth with John and Tom. You just know something is about to happen that everyone will be laughing and talking about the next day. But it is really sad to see him using a walker to get around. Comes down to it it really sucks being old. Be safe out there

[@jimwelsh997]

@@jgatenby6120 Yes it does suck that our guys don't do the games in the playoffs on TV. But kruk wasn't able to do any games anyway. He was getting hip replacement surgery in October. I really hope he is going to be able to walk without a walker.

[@juliebraden6911]

First time you *saw* him

[@CruceEntertainment]

I’m sure he didn’t suspect anything with a cameraman in the room.

[@JaydenRoche]

Hearing that Utley was a rookie the same year as bron is wilddd

[@civileng67]

John opened up a restaurant in Naples, FL some years back. I am a baseball lover, especially with players, like him, from my youth. I just took a TOTALLY random shot and email John asking when he would be at his new restaurant and if I could just spend maybe 10 minutes talking baseball with him. Just talking nothing but baseball. He said "yes" and gave me a day he'd be in town. I kid you not, when I pulled up (10 mins before we were supposed to meet), he was sitting outside the door of the restaurant in a chair with a chair beside him, waiting on me to show up. We talked for maybe 20 minutes and he even gave time for me to text my wife to bring my young boys, whom he took pics with and signed balls for. Dude is legitimately a good guy. Also, after our convo, which I'll keep to myself............he isn't a fan of these younger players and the diva mentality. Good dude.

[@tommyfu9271]

I met him playing blackjack in Atlantic City while wearing a Yankees hat and shirt and we probably talked baseball for 90 minutes. Super nice guy.

[@joeylawn36111]

Wow - he’s such a class act!

[@Laflamablanca76]

Big ol Jim Thome narrating 😂

[@rbwirth12]

Prick on prick jokes are always a hoot.

[@driley5004]

god I miss HK

[@outlawmick]

That was Wade

[@brianmanuel4435]

“It’s all Ruben’s fault” Ed, we KNOW

[@23431]

We miss you Harry

[@harrypalms9491]

These is nothing like locker room camaraderie.. It’s something I miss about the game..

[@bil4doe]

Remember John and many other soon to be called up all star players in Beaumont ,Tx during the 80's ( Ozzie Guillen, Mark Parent, Alomar bros etc) Golden Gators was a Padre farm team. I was one of the guys that yelled..."Watch him Bob" to the opposing pitcher one night ,he started throwing in the dirt, wild pitches & frustration til he was pulled... Good memories for me... for Bob, not so much!

[@DizzyDez613]

Just downright mean. 😂

[@Sean-st5ud]

I forgot that Utley was around for the Vet.

[@302vettelife2]

Reporter to Fergosi- Are you concerned with Kruk's weight? Jim F- He hit's good fat.

[@dalebrown7906]

that's HILARIOUS!

[@FoleyBenjamin]

Look how Chase started moving and fidgeting lol

[@tropicten]

Kruk and Charles Barkley are my all time favorite Philly athletes.

[@JohnThomas-lq5qp]

Both honest guys who tell it like it is.