Mike Krukow

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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 at Cal Poly and 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.

Krukow had a solid, if unspectacular career in the major leagues, the highlight of which was his 20-9 season in 1986 for the San Francisco Giants, a year which Giants fans can argue Krukow should have won the Cy Young Award for his pitching performance. He made the All-Star team that season.

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.

Krukow is currently a radio and television sportscaster for the San Francisco Giants, and is part of the broadcasting duo known as "Kruk and Kuip" along with partner Duane Kuiper. "Kruk" is known for his unique baseball vocabulary, especially his signature phrase when an opposing team's hitter strikes out:

“

"Grab some pine, meat!"

”

From June 14, 2005, through June 16, 2005, the San Francisco Giants played a three-game series against the Minnesota Twins and Krukow noticed that former Major League Baseball pitcher and current Minnesota Twins' announcer Bert Blyleven utilized the telestrator to circle fans upon their request. Recognizing the enormous popularity of the response from the fans' requests, Krukow developed a spin off of "Circle Me, Bert" and also started using the telestrator to "eliminate" spectators by whiting them out — either at the request of fans who wave signs on television for their 10 seconds of fame, or because the fan or fans are taking part in practices which he personally dislikes, such as talking on a cell phone during a game.

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 the famous quote of Krukow.

In addition, Krukow is known throughout the major leagues, and is often teased by fellow broadcasters, for having "majestic hair."