Mike Krukow

From Sports Library

Michael Edward (Mike) Krukow (born January 21, 1952 in Long Beach, California) is a former starting pitcher in Major League Baseball.

He played college ball for the Cal Poly Mustangs. Though his collegiate eligibility was cut short, he still holds the school record for career earned run average at 1.94 and is tied for most shutouts in a season with 5.

Krukow was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the 8th round of the 1973 draft. Krukow played Major League baseball for the Chicago Cubs (1976–1981), the Philadelphia Phillies (1982) and the San Francisco Giants (1983–1989). He batted and threw right handed.

Mike Krukow began broadcasting as an occasional color analyst for KNBR radio in 1990 and became a full-time broadcaster in 1994. He is a five-time Emmy award winner. "Kruk," who was named as the starting right-handed pitcher to the 1980's Giants All- Decade Team in a vote by Bay Area media in 1999, is noted for his deep knowledge of the game and tremendous sense of humor.^[1]

Krukow resides in San Luis Obispo, California, with his wife, Jennifer, and their five children, Jarek, Baker, Tessa, Chase and Weston.

Contents 1 Major league career 2 Broadcaster 2.1 "Eliminate me" 3 Video games 4 Oddly enough 5 Reference notes 6 External links

Major league career

Krukow had a solid, if unspectacular career in the major leagues. He was part of a Cubs pitching staff in the laste 1970s and early 1980s that included Bruce Sutter, Willie Hernandez, Ray Burris, Bill Caudill, and Rick Reuschel. In 1982, after six years with the Cubs, he was dealt to Philadelphia for pitchers Dickie Noles and Dan Larsen and outfielder Keith Moreland. in one of the first deals new general manager Dallas Green made.

The right-handed starter was second only to Steve Carlton in wins, posting a 13-11 record and an impressive 3.12 ERA, but despite this success, the Phillies sent Krukow, Mark Davis and Charlie Penigar to the San Francisco Giants in December 1982 in a trade for Joe Morgan and reliever Al Holland. The trade helped Philadelphia win the National League pennant in 1983, but it also gave San Francisco two arms that would become a big part of the Giants’ success in the late 1980’s.

Krukow's best season was in 1986, posting a record of 20-9 with a 3.04 ERA record pitching for the San Francisco Giants. Giants fans can argue Krukow should have won the Cy Young Award in 1986 but he finished third behind Mike Scott and Fernando Valenzuela. Krukow was selected to the National League All-Star team that season. In 1987 Krukow helped lead the Giants to their first division championship in 16 years.

On June 30, 1989, Krukow underwent arthroscopic surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff in his pitching shoulder after spending parts of three seasons on the disabled list for what was believed to be bursitis. He retired in March 1990. In his 14-season career, Krukow posted a 124-117 record with 1,478 strikeouts and a respectable 3.90 ERA in 2190.1 innings pitched.

Broadcaster

After his playing career, Krukow became a radio and television sportscaster. Part of the San Francisco Giants broadcasting team, Krukow is half of the duo dubbed "Kruk and Kuip," along with partner Duane Kuiper, a former Giants' infielder. Krukow and Kuiper tape a game day commentary ("Kruk and Kuip on baseball") for KNBR radio as part of the Giants' pre-game radio coverage. "Kruk" is known for his unique baseball vocabulary, especially his signature phrase when an opposing team's hitter strikes out:

“

"Grab some pine, meat!"

”

He is also known for opening post-game wrap-ups of extremely close or stressful games with the phrase:

“

"Just another - ha ha ha ha - laugher!"

”

Krukow's broadcasting style is controversial because Krukow has staunchly defended Barry Bonds against allegations of Bonds' steroid useage).Template:Fact

"Eliminate me"

In the June 14, 2005, series against the Minnesota Twins, Krukow noticed that Twins' announcer Bert Blyleven, himself a former Major League Baseball pitcher, used the telestrator to circle fans at their request for recognition. Krukow developed a spin off of this "Circle Me, Bert" feature by using his telestrator to "eliminate" spectators, whiting them out — either those who also request the treatment by waving signs onscreen, or because the fan or fans are behaving in ways he personally dislikes, such as talking on a cell phone during a game.

Video games

Krukow and Kuiper can be heard as the commentators in Electronic Arts video games MVP Baseball 2003, 2004 and 2005. The 2004 and 2005 versions included Krukow's familiar "grab some pine, meat" quote.

Oddly enough

• Though he was a pitcher and his announcing partner was a position player, Kruk has 4 more career home runs than Kuip (who has one).

Reference notes

External links

• Baseball-Reference.com - career statistics and analysis

• The Buddy System: Long-lasting friendship between Krukow, Kuiper comes across the airwaves
• Mike Krukow on Wikipedia

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