John Kruk had the perfect response after new Sixers GM jinxed a Phillies no-hitter

Mike Gansey’s tenure in Philadelphia isn’t off to a great start, but it has nothing to do with the 76ers.

The Sixers’ new president of basketball operations joined NBC Sports Philadelphia’s annual broadcast from the stands Tuesday nightly alongside coach Nick Nurse, with Phillies pitcher Jesús Luzardo cruising through four innings.

“No hitter’s still intact,” Gansey said, immediately drawing a groan from Phillies announcer John Kruk.

“Oh boy,” Kruk moaned.

The very next pitch, Miami Marlins third baseman Javier Sanoja hit a single to left field, ending Luzardo’s no-hitter.

While McCarthy quickly moved on to discussing what’s going on with the Sixers, Kruk sat silently annoyed, a knowing grin on his face as he quietly chewed his gum.

Later, in the bottom of the fifth inning, when McCarthy mentioned Luzardo had just given up his first two hits, Kruk hadn’t forgotten why.

“We know who gave that one up,” Kruk said dryly. “I was like, ‘Thank God none of us said it,’ because we could get crucified right now.”

Kruk and Gansey share a West Virginia connection. Kruk grew up in Keyser, W.Va., while Gansey finished his college basketball career with the Mountaineers.

“I lived in Morgantown for two years,” Gansey said.

“And you’re liver’s still intact?” Kruk shot back.

Kruk and the rest of the NBC Sports Philadelphia crew — Tom McCarthy, Ruben Amaro Jr., and Ben Davis — had prime seats right behind home plate at Citizens Bank Park Tuesday night to watch the Phillies blowout the Miami Marlins 8-2.

It was the 11th time the broadcast waded out into the stands, an annual tradition (with a break for COVID) dating back to 2014. And no offense to everyone else, but Kruk is easily the star of the show, consistently tossing out a well-timed joke or unvarnished opinion just when the broadcast needs it.

“How do I say this politically … sometimes these umpires aren’t really great," Kruk said when asked about the Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) Challenge System.

His best line of the night came when he told Nurse his poster was hanging in an office at Florida Gulf Coast University when they were recruiting Kruk’s daughter, Keira (who ended up attending Berry College in Georgia).

“My wife played volleyball there,” Nurse said, noting she was sitting elsewhere in the stands.

“I didn’t want to bring it up, because 50% of people get divorced,” Kruk joked.

There was also Kruk’s deadpan response to a pop-up that came down just to the left of the broadcast crew in the stands.

“Oh please hit me in the head,” Kruk said.

Sitting behind home plate was a first for NBC Sports Philadelphia, but announcers have previously called games for the network from above the bullpen, behind the Phillies’ on-deck circle, from Harry the K’s restaurant, behind the dugout, and from the outfield, where McCarthy actually snagged a home run hit by Atlanta Braves slugger Freddie Freeman.

The station also brought its studio show into the stadium, with Amy Fadool and Ricky Bottalico set up in Section 109 during Phillies Pregame Live. And it took the opportunity to ding Kruk when highlighting Citizen Bank Park’s best food and drink options.

The broadcast also featured a brief interview with Flyers head coach Rick Tocchet, which led to a side trip down memory lane.

“Do you remember, probably in the late ’80s, doing a signing in Aston, Pennsylvania at a bank?” Davis said. “I rode there on my bike … I went in and you had the long hair and a black and white photo. You signed it for me, and I still have it at my parent’s house.”

The night wouldn’t have been complete without the Phillie Phanatic tormenting Kruk. But the veteran broadcaster quickly put his hoodie on in the sixth inning when the mascot came tumbling by holding a giant bag of popcorn, which he dumped all over Amaro.

“Does anybody want any popcorn?” Amaro said.

“I see where you’re reaching to get it. Absolutely not,” Kruk responded.

Considering the lack of action by the Marlins, it’s no surprise the Phanatic and his antics with the Phillies announcers snuck into the Marlins’ TV broadcast.

The Phillies will go for the sweep Wednesday at 1:05 p.m., with McCarthy and Kruk in the booth. The pair will be back to call the first of a three-game series against the New York Mets Thursday night before handing the weekend games off to Fox on Saturday and NBC for Sunday Night Baseball.

The good news is NBC is bringing Kruk back to call Sunday’s game, pairing him up with former Mets reliever John Franco and play-by-play announcer Jason Benetti.