page_title: Mike Krukow
section_title: Major league career
hierarchical_section_title: Mike Krukow / Major league career
caption_attribution_description: English: I took this photo of Milo Hamilton preparing to interview Mike Krukow at Wrigley Field on June 11, 1981. ACTUALLY JUNE 10 - PHOTO MISLABELED.
context_page_description: Michael Edward Krukow is an American former professional baseball starting pitcher, who played in Major League Baseball for the Chicago Cubs, Philadelphia Phillies, and San Francisco Giants. He is currently a television color commentator for the Giants.
context_section_description: Krukow 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 career in the major leagues. In 1982, after six years with the Cubs, he was dealt to Philadelphia for pitchers Dickie Noles and Dan Larson and outfielder Keith Moreland.
  For the Phillies, the right-handed starter was second only to Steve Carlton in wins, posting a 13–11 record and an impressive 3.12 ERA, but despite this success, the Phillies sent Krukow, Mark Davis and Charlie Penigar to the San Francisco Giants in December 1982 in a trade for Joe Morgan and reliever Al Holland. The trade helped Philadelphia win the National League pennant in 1983, but it also gave San Francisco two arms that would become a big part of the Giants' success in the late 1980s.
  Although known as a starter, Krukow earned his only career save on August 31, 1984, pitching to just one batter (the Phillies' Sixto Lezcano), inducing a game-ending groundout, therefore preserving a 6–5 Giant victory.
  Krukow's best season was in 1986.  He posted a record of 20–9 with a 3.05 ERA for the San Francisco Giants. Krukow finished third in that year's NL Cy Young Award behind Mike Scott and Fernando Valenzuela. Krukow was selected to the National League All-Star team that season. He received the Willie Mac Award in 1985 and 1986 for his spirit and leadership. In 1987, Krukow helped lead the Giants to their first division championship in 16 years.
  Krukow's 17 no decisions were the most among MLB starting pitchers in 1987, as well as being the most ever by a Giants starter dating back to at least 1908. He made the only postseason appearance of his career in Game 4 of the 1987 National League Championship Series. Krukow was the winning pitcher in a 9 inning complete game, allowing 2 runs on 9 hits, as the Giants beat the St. Louis Cardinals, 4–2. It was the Cardinals, however, that took the series in seven games to reach the World Series.
  On June 30, 1989, Krukow underwent arthroscopic surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff in his pitching shoulder after spending parts of three seasons on the disabled list for what was believed to be bursitis. He retired in March 1990. In his 14-season career, Krukow posted a 124–117 record with 1,478 strikeouts and a 3.90 ERA in 2190.1 innings pitched.
caption: Krukow interviewed at Wrigley Field by Milo Hamilton in 1981
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