Philly R/TV: John Kruk, NBC Sports Reach Deal

John Kruk

John Kruk, a former Philadelphia Phillies player and fan-favorite color commentator, has signed a four-year contract to continue his role with NBC Sports Philadelphia, ensuring that Phillies fans will hear more of his entertaining stories and sarcastic commentary in future broadcasts. 

The news comes from a detailed feature story published by Philadelphia magazine on Friday afternoon, which highlights Kruk’s journey, his current role, and his standing in the city.

Kruk, a three-time All-Star and a key member of the 1993 Phillies team that reached the World Series, has been a beloved figure in Philadelphia since his playing days. 

After a 10-year career as a major-league first baseman, including six seasons with the Phillies, he transitioned into broadcasting. He joined NBC Sports Philadelphia in 2017—then called Comcast SportsNet—following a stint at ESPN, where he worked in the studio starting in 2004 and later called national “Sunday Night Baseball” games from 2013 to 2016.

In his current role, Kruk teams up with veteran play-by-play announcer Tom McCarthy and fellow analysts Ruben Amaro Jr., a former Phillies outfielder and executive, and Ben Davis, a former big-league catcher. 

His unique blend of nostalgic anecdotes, dry wit, and quirky observations has made him a perfect fit for the Phillies’ broadcast booth, resonating deeply with the team’s fanbase. The Philadelphia magazine story, authored by Jake Kring-Schreifels, underscores Kruk’s distinctive style and notes his desire to keep calling games for the foreseeable future, potentially through the duration of Bryce Harper’s 13-year contract with the Phillies, which runs until 2031.