Kruk and Kuip interview Bonds

by The Gene Hackman on Jul 24, 2007 10:43 AM PDT

[First Diary, so apologies to all for whatever I'm about to do wrong.]

I enjoyed hearing bonds discuss his plate approach, Gagne, what he's thinking at the plate, et c.

Still, I was a little taken back by Bonds showing up Kruk like that.

Do they get along well? Or do you think Krukow was put-off by Bonds telling him "you just suck, Mike"?

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Re: Kruk and Kuip interview Bonds

I also enjoyed the interview. The Gagne stuff was really good. If you missed it Bonds explained the context of that famous at-bat that Bonds ended with a dramatic (but ultimately meaningless) homerun on a 100mph fastball. Apparently when thhe two were in Japan together with the MLB all-stars they made a deal that in a situation like that where the Dodgers had more than a 3 run lead Gagne would "man-up" and try to get Bonds out with nothing but fastballs and with the exception of one curveball that's what happened. I remember watching that at-bat and wondering why Gagne never threw his changeup and now it makes sense. I think Krukow knew that Bonds was joking. The funny thing is that with friendly reporters who just want to talk baseball Bonds can be funny, charming, insightful, and extremely interesting but he rarely gets to give interviews like that.

Lemaster10

by Lemaster10 on Jul 24, 2007 10:49 AM PDT reply actions

Re: Kruk and Kuip interview Bonds

I don't remember exactly what Kruk's reaction was, but I'm pretty sure Barry was joking.

I mean, Kruk makes fun of Kuip's playing career all the time!

Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.

by jponry on Jul 24, 2007 10:59 AM PDT reply actions

Re: Kruk and Kuip interview Bonds

Particularly the homerun differential!

by sfgfan on Jul 24, 2007 11:16 AM PDT up reply actions

Re: Kruk and Kuip interview Bonds

Is this posted somewhere?

by KCE on Jul 24, 2007 11:14 AM PDT reply actions

Re: Kruk and Kuip interview Bonds

Yeah, I'm positive Krukow understands that sort of ribbing. In fact, given Krukow's personality and the stories that he tells, I'm sure he was pretty merciless with that sort of joking during his playing days.

Bonds doesn't win any points for creativity, though. Twenty years in the league and all he's got is "you just suck"? Maybe that's the only one he could say on television.

"Robb Nen is going to get you" - Benito Santiago to Chipper Jones, 10/7/02

by Pants Man on Jul 24, 2007 11:17 AM PDT reply actions

Re: Kruk and Kuip interview Bonds

Well, he is a baseball player, not Dorothy Parker.

by satyricrash on Jul 24, 2007 11:28 AM PDT up reply actions

Re: Kruk and Kuip interview Bonds

Besides - Kruk isn't exactly Bob Ueker. He had some pretty good years and was basically average over 2000+ innings.

Barry Zito: Mike Hampton with a guitar

by JakeS on Jul 24, 2007 12:20 PM PDT reply actions

Sabes interviewed too

On mlb.com today:
http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/radio/index.jsp
At least he sounds like a seller...

by BigO on Jul 24, 2007 12:24 PM PDT reply actions

Thanks for the links

BTW, what did the McCoven get Bonds for his birthday?

by wilriv21 on Jul 24, 2007 1:37 PM PDT up reply actions

Re: Thanks for the links

Grant jumping out of a cake.

Strikeouts are boring. Besides that, they're fascist. Not boring: Emmanuel Burriss. Not facist: THE RETURN OF SF Dugout

by BaronVonCurrentEvents on Jul 24, 2007 1:43 PM PDT up reply actions

Re: Thanks for the links

...and then writing this...

http://fsnbayarea.com/blogView.jsp?bcId=643&blog=16

"Robb Nen is going to get you" - Benito Santiago to Chipper Jones, 10/7/02

by Pants Man on Jul 24, 2007 1:44 PM PDT up reply actions

Watch it here

http://fsnbayarea.com/RoadtoHistoryVID.jsp

The Fringe was right.

by nostocksjustbonds on Jul 24, 2007 1:14 PM PDT reply actions

Re: Kruk and Kuip interview Bonds

Great interview...fabulous story about him and Gagne, and in my book, only something Kruk and Kuip could get out of the big fella. He seems so at ease with them...so open and willing to talk.

Could you imagine Stephen A. Smith, YELLING AND SCREAMING AS IF HE'S THE IMPORTANT ONE, trying to conduct the same interview? Not a chance in hell that Barry is as open with him as he is with Kruk and Kuip.

Omar Vizquel to Big Sam, "Barton, Viduka, Rozenhal, Geremi, Deco even?...way to go Gaffer, keep up the great work!"

by PacBellBoozer on Jul 24, 2007 1:51 PM PDT reply actions

Re: Kruk and Kuip interview Bonds

Stephen A. Smith rarely conducts interviews of any sort. It's technically not an interview if the subject is inaudible under the din of the questioner, and drenching the subject in spittle is not equivalent with an inquiry of their opinion. Who knew?

WE FIGHT WARS! WE CHEAT ON SPOUSES! WE LISTEN TO THE STEVE MILLER BAND! BUT IF WE THROW OURSELVES INTO SOMETHING GLORIOUS AS BASEBALL ALL IS FORGIVEN!" -PECOTA

by nick @ McCovey Chronicles on Jul 24, 2007 2:06 PM PDT up reply actions

Re: Kruk and Kuip interview Bonds

Enjoyed the interview - watch it if you have not. It is clear that he was joking with Krukow with the "you suck" comment and Krukow took it as such. I also thought it was very interesting to hear how his father's advice and ability to chart and recognize pitcher's tendencies aided Barry.

by APGiantsFan on Jul 24, 2007 4:52 PM PDT reply actions

Re: Kruk and Kuip interview Bonds

I think Alex Rodriguez should realize his future in the beverage industry.

Barry Zito: Not an embarrassment of riches , but a rich embarrassment.

by victor frankenstein on Jul 24, 2007 5:08 PM PDT reply actions

Re: Kruk and Kuip interview Bonds

He did do a Pepsi commercial not too long ago!

by sfgfan on Jul 25, 2007 8:58 AM PDT up reply actions

Re: Kruk and Kuip interview Bonds

That's where the line "A-Rod, you've got a future in the beverage industry" comes from, IIRC.

Steve Kline: He's pretty okay!

by groug on Jul 25, 2007 9:57 AM PDT up reply actions

Re: Kruk and Kuip interview Bonds

Now that I think about it, it sounds about right.

by sfgfan on Jul 25, 2007 10:18 AM PDT up reply actions

Re: Kruk and Kuip interview Bonds

Put me down as liking the interview. Getting into the head of one of the greatest (if not the greatest) in history is never less than entertaining. The guy can be a monumental pain the ass, but he also can turn on the charm and show himself to be the engaging, intelligent guy he is. I just wish he was like that all the time. People would love the guy.

I think the reason that he is so engaging with Kruk and Kuip is the simple fact that 1) they're not going to harp on the steroids issue because they know it's like drilling for water inside a boulder and 2) he's obviously heard them on TV and radio and know that they kid around a lot and will not toss him under the bus for anything he might say (no Sweeney jokes, please).

What I did find interesting was his assessment of growing up as a child of someone famous. He acknowledged Kruk's kids as being the same as him, but didn't mention Kuip's kids. I thought Kuip did have kids from hearing him mention them awhile back, and I had to check the Giants website to confirm it. Does Barry know Kuip has kids? Is he closer with Kruk than Kuip? Maybe I was just being sensitive, but it seemed interesting to note.

by Van Smack on Jul 24, 2007 6:26 PM PDT reply actions

Re: Kruk and Kuip interview Bonds

I'm pretty sure Kruk and Kuip have hung out with Bonds before, so it's not like like he thinks they're just the guys up in the booth.

Barry Bombs gear | comics | Ray Durham is... yeah.

by Natto on Jul 24, 2007 11:43 PM PDT up reply actions

Re: Kruk and Kuip interview Bonds

First off, change that rancid handle you've got going there...

Secondly, he's cool with them because they're not just "media" but ex-players as well, from within the Giants organization even. I think it would be safe to say that not a day goes buy where he doesn't chat briefly with them...while waiting for his turn in BP, on the plane from city to city...in the lobby of the hotel. He's at ease with them because they're "coworkers" in a way.

Lastly, change that rancid handle already!

Omar Vizquel to Big Sam, "Barton, Viduka, Rozenhal, Geremi, Deco even?...way to go Gaffer, keep up the great work!"

by PacBellBoozer on Jul 25, 2007 1:26 AM PDT up reply actions