With clip-on tie and reality TV reviews, Kruk gets big laughs from NBC booth
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John Kruk hit .300 across 10 seasons in the Major Leagues, earning him a trio of All-Star selections. He’s also remained one of the most beloved personalities in today’s game, as fans who have watched a Phillies home broadcast are certainly aware.
Kruk brought both of those traits to the national stage on Sunday, sharing his baseball expertise and lightening the mood as part of NBC’s Sunday Night Baseball crew.
During the second inning of Philadelphia’s 11-4 win over the Yankees, Kruk said, “You guys let me know how the game’s going” to play-by-play man Jason Benetti and fellow color commentator Joe Girardi. His attention, of course, was pulled away by … a clip-on tie.
Kruk seemingly couldn’t open the clip, opening the door for Girardi to ask a hard-hitting question: “What was easier for you, facing Randy Johnson or putting the tie on?”
And Kruk delivered a golden response: “Oh, Randy. A lot easier than this … thanks for bringing up old memories, Joe.”
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Kruk only faced the Hall of Famer Johnson once in the regular season, a pinch-hit popout in 1995. But Kruk more famously stepped into the batter’s box against the Big Unit in the 1993 All-Star Game. After Johnson airmailed a pitch directly over Kruk’s head (causing Kruk to jokingly fan himself with his jersey), Kruk struck out on a nasty breaking ball and went spinning out of the box.
Girardi jabbed Kruk again, asking where he was going on that pitch. Kruk delivered once more: “I wanted to go home,” he quipped.
Entering the bottom of the fourth inning, Kruk -- a connoisseur of reality television, according to Benetti -- said he’s traded in “Love Island” for his latest binge, “Married at First Sight.” He then gave an entertaining summary of the show’s premise: “These three psychiatrists or whatever, they interview people and then they try to match them with what they think would be their perfect mate. Boy, do they fail miserably sometimes."
It all led perfectly into an ad read for Benetti, promoting “Married at First Sight” among two other Peacock-exclusive offerings.
NBC has paired Benetti with localized color commentators all season for Sunday Night Baseball, giving each nation-wide broadcast a hometown feel. Kruk certainly did his part on that front Sunday night.