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Phillies Add John Kruk to TV Broadcast as Color Analyst

By George Stockburger

Jul 31, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies Wall of Fame member John Kruk during the Pat Burrell (not pictured) induction ceremony before a game against the Atlanta Braves at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 31, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies Wall of Fame member John Kruk during the Pat Burrell (not pictured) induction ceremony before a game against the Atlanta Braves at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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After weeks of speculation, John Kruk has officially been hired as a member of the Phillies TV broadcast

Just days after renewing radio play-by-play man Scott Franzke’s contract, the Phillies made another key addition to their broadcast team.

Comcast SportsNet Phillies insider Jim Salisbury says sources have confirmed fan-favorite John Kruk will officially join the Phillies television broadcast as a color analyst. Todd Zolecki also confirms that the club and Kruk met on Thursday after nearly a month of negotiations.

Kruk will be replacing Matt Stairs in the booth with Stairs being named the Phillies hitting coach earlier in the offseason. Stairs had joined the broadcast team two years ago alongside Jamie Moyer, and brought an excellent viewpoint behind hitting and approach as a batter.

Before joining the Phillies broadcast, Kruk spent several seasons with ESPN as a television color analyst and in-studio analyst. Kruk and ESPN mutually agreed to end their relationship following the 2016 season.

Details regarding Kruk’s contract have not been specified, although it is assumed he will split time with Ben Davis sitting alongside Tom McCarthy. Mike Schmidt is expected to return for home weekend series for the third-straight season.

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Kruk spent 6 of his 10 seasons in the major leagues with the Phillies, helping them towards the 1993 National League Championship. He was a career .309 hitter in Philadelphia, while also hitting 62 home runs and earning three consecutive all-star nods.

In 2011, the team inducted Kruk into their Wall of Fame, making him just the second player from the 1993 team to earn the honor.

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