Philadelphia Phillies legend John Kruk is just fine going to his grave without learning the intricacies of modern baseball teams employing openers before their so-called starting pitchers.
Kruk, 65, is now a Phillies broadcaster and was behind the mic on Tuesday, August 4, when the Washington Nationals were in town. The Nats had Carson Palmquist open the game, facing the first four batters before handing the ball to traditional starter Zack Litell.
“Someday, somebody will have to explain it to us,” play-by-play man Tom McCarthy said during the broadcast. “I guess part of it is that he comes in sometimes against the bottom of the order, so maybe it builds confidence because he gets the first few guys out?”
“I hope I’m long gone before that day comes — before we get that explanation that might make sense,” Kruk responded.
Following a lineout from Phillies catcher JT Realmuto, McCarthy, 58, played along.
“If I do get it though, I’m going to somehow figure out how I can get it to you,” he said.
“Yeah, just stick it in my casket,” Kruk replied. “Unless I get cremated. Then just put it in with me when they set me on fire, baby.”
Kruk then teased a story to McCarthy that he promised to tell later, much to the chagrin of the viewing audience.
“I’ve got a funny story about an urn I’ll have to tell you when we’re not on the air,” he teased. “It’s a good one.”
Kruk’s comments came just days after he made headlines for a more lighthearted reason, wearing a tie during the Phillies’ Sunday Night Baseball game against the New York Yankees on Sunday, August 2. (Kruk usually dresses more casually in the booth.)
“John, this is your third time in a suit for us,” NBC play-by-play broadcaster Jason Benetti told him. “It looks great.”
Kruk replied, “Yeah, I’ve got this knucklehead friend that sent me something on Amazon every day for the last five days with different ties. So, he said, ‘Are you going to wear one?’ I said, ‘Yeah, I might as well wear ’em all.'”
He also revealed that four of the five ties were clip-ons.
“When a knucklehead friend sends ’em to you, you better wear ’em,” Kruk added. “I might not be able to. I can’t get this button buttoned.”
Former Yankees and Phillies manager Joe Girardi, who was also calling the game, tracked Kruk’s progress as he struggled with his tie, telling viewers several minutes later, “John is still fighting his tie.”
“I don’t know how to do it,” Kruk said. “You guys let me know how the game is going.”
