W.Va.'s 50 greatest athletics...

[rainman]

Here's a complete list of the Top 50 West Virginia athletes from 1900-2000: (printed 4/25/01)

Jerry West, Cheylan (Kanawha County)
All-American at WVU twice; led Los Angeles Lakers to 1972 NBA championship as player; as the current Lakers general manager, he helped build dynasty that won five NBA titles in the '80s.


Mary Lou Retton, Fairmont (Marion County)
Became first U.S. gymnast to win gold in women's all-around competition at 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles. Scored perfect 10's, and became first female athlete on a Wheaties box.


Hack Wilson, Martinsburg (Berkeley County)
Baseball Hall of Famer. In 1930, Chicago Cubs slugger had major-league-record 190 RBIs; also had 56 homers, an NL record that stood for 68 years.


Randy Barnes, St. Albans (Kanawha County)
Holds the world indoor and outdoor shot put records; won gold medal at 1996 Olympics.


Hal Greer, Huntington (Cabell County)
Scored 1,377 points for Marshall and averaged 19.2 points in 15 NBA seasons. Named to Top 50 NBA team.


Sam Huff, Farmington (Marion County)
NFL Hall of Famer. Five-time All-Pro linebacker with Giants and Redskins from 1956 to '70.


Lew Burdette, Nitro (Kanawha County)
Pitcher for Milwaukee Braves. Won three games in 1957 World Series.


Hot Rod Hundley, Charleston (Kanawha County)
All-American guard at West Virginia University, and was No. 1 pick of 1957 NBA draft. Current Utah Jazz announcer.


Earle (Greasy) Neale, Parkersburg (Wood County)
Cincinnati Reds and Philadelphia A's baseball player from 1916 to '24; coached Philadelphia Eagles to '48 and '49 NFL titles.


Joe Stydahar, Shinnston (Harrison County)
NFL Pro Bowler, led Chicago Bears to NFL titles in 1940, '41 and '46.


Randy Moss, Rand (Kanawha County)
DuPont High football star was state high school basketball player of the year in 1994-95; 28 TD catches at Marshall in '97 tied NCAA record; '98 NFL Rookie of the Year with Vikings.


Clair Bee, Grafton (Taylor County)
Coached Long Island University basketball team to undefeated seasons in 1935-36 and '38-39; won NIT title in '39 and '41.


Chuck Howley, Wheeling (Ohio County)
Five-sport letterman at WVU; 1970 Super Bowl MVP for Dallas Cowboys. Only player to win MVP award from losing team.


Cam Henderson, Mannington (Marion County)
Helped pioneer modern fast break and zone defense; was 362-160 as Marshall coach from 1935 to '55.


Ira Rodgers, Bethany (Brooke County)
West Virginia football, basketball and baseball star, "Rat" took up golf in 1928; won state amateur in '29.


John McKay, Shinnston (Harrison County)
As USC coach, Trojans won four national football championships and had three undefeated seasons. First Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach.


Curt Warner, Pineville (Wyoming County)
Set 41 Penn State football records; Seahawks' second all-time leading rusher, with 6,705 yards.


Wilbur Cooper, Bearsville
Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher won 20 games four times from 1912 to '24, including NL-best 22 in '21.


Vicky Bullett, Martinsburg (Berkeley County)
Charlotte Sting forward played on 1988 and '92 U.S. Olympic women's basketball teams. WNBA All-Star team, 1999.


Frank "Gunner" Gatski, Farmington (Marion County)
Four-time All-Pro center won eight AAFC and NFL championships with Browns and Lions from 1946 to '57.


Dave Tork, Fairmont (Marion County)
Six-time Southern Conference champion at West Virginia set world outdoor pole vault record in 1962, indoor mark in '63.


John Kruk, Charleston (Kanawha County)
Baseball and basketball star at Keyser High; three-time All-Star batted .300 in 10 major league seasons; played for 1993 NL champion Phillies.


Dick Huffman, Charleston (Kanawha County)
All-America tackle for 1946 co-SEC champion Tennessee was Pro Bowl tackle with Rams.


Mary Ostrowski, Parkersburg (Wood County)
Led Parkersburg Catholic to 88 straight wins and two state high school basketball titles; 1982 All-America forward at Tennessee.


George Cafego, Oak Hill (Fayette County)
Tailback-safety helped lead Tennessee to 11-0 season in 1938, unbeaten regular season in '39.


Rod Thorn, Princeton (Mercer County)
NBA senior vice president of operations and WVU star basketball player.


James Jett, Shenandoah Junction (Jefferson County)
Raiders receiver was on 1992 gold-medal-winning U.S. Olympic 4x100-meter relay team; more than 3,900 receiving yards in seven NFL seasons.


Dennis Harrah, Charleston (Kanawha County)
Los Angeles Rams guard played in six Pro Bowls from 1975 to '87.


Bimbo Coles, Lewisburg (Greenbrier County)
Leading scorer in Virginia Tech history was first player to lead Metro Conference in scoring three straight years; has averaged more than four assists over 10 NBA seasons. Olympic basketball team member.


Bruce Bosley, Green Bank (Pocahontas County)
All-America offensive tackle at West Virginia in 1955 played in four Pro Bowls for 49ers.


Marshall Goldberg, Elkins (Randolph County)
Running back led Pitt to 1937 national title and was runner-up for the Heisman Trophy in '38.


Rocco Gorman, Charleston (Kanawha County)
Coached Charleston High football team to 118-31-4 mark; his 1920 team outscored opponents 379-0.


Kitty Frazier, Cross Lanes (Kanawha County)
Won three national archery championships in the 1980s.


Jason Williams, Belle (Kanawha County)
DuPont High teammate of Randy Moss was 1994 state basketball player of the year; '99 NBA first-team All-Rookie selection with Sacramento Kings.


Carl Lee, Charleston (Kanawha County)
Three-time Pro Bowl cornerback intercepted a career-high eight passes for Vikings in 1988 to lead NFL.


Norm Willey, Hastings (Wetzel County)
Played on first Marshall bowl team, in 1947; two-time Pro Bowl defensive end with Eagles.


Russ Parsons, Charleston (Kanawha County)
Coached Stonewall Jackson High to eight straight state track titles from 1948 to '55; 246-94 as football coach and 274-63 as basketball coach.


Fern (Peachy) Kellmeyer, Charleston (Kanawha County)
At 15 was youngest tennis player invited to U.S. Nationals at Forest Hills, in 1959; advanced to round of 16 in '60.


Mike Barrett, Richwood (Nicholas County)
West Virginia Tech basketball star played on 1968 gold-medal-winning U.S. Olympic team.


John Zontini, Sherman (Boone County)
Ran for 2,135 yards on just 79 carries at Sherman High in 1929; set state javelin record (172' 1") in '31.


Bill Campbell, Huntington (Cabell County)
Beat fellow West Virginian Ed Tutwiler (#46) for 1964 U.S. Amateur golf title; won 15 West Virginia Amateurs from '49 to '75 and '56 Mexican Amateur.


Ed Etzel, Morgantown (Monongalia County)
Won gold in free rifle, prone at 1984 Olympics; last U.S. male to win medal in the event.


Mike D'Antoni, Mullens (Wyoming County)
Left Marshall in 1973 as school's all-time assists leader; spent 13 seasons with Milan of the Italian League. NBA head coach with Denver Nuggets in 1998-99 season.


J.R. House, Nitro (Kanawha County)
Nitro High quarterback set national high school records for career passing yards (14,457), completions (1,103) and attempts (1,725) in 1998. Drafted by Pittsburgh Pirates in 1999 draft.


Steve Swisher, Parkersburg (Wood County)
Three-time All-MAC catcher at Ohio University was Chicago Cubs' top pick in 1973 draft; selected to National League All-Star team in 1976.


Ed Tutwiler, Mount Hope (Fayette County)
Won 11 West Virginia Amateur golf titles from 1939 to '63.


Christy Martin, Bluefield (Mercer County)
WBC women's lightweight boxing champion (38-2-2, 30 knockouts).


Don Robinson, Ceredo (Wayne County)
Ceredo-Kenova High star won 109 games for four major league teams from 1978 to '92; pitched for '79 world champion Pittsburgh Pirates, and later with San Francisco Giants.


Anne White, Charleston (Kanawha County)
Tennis pro was ranked as high as 19th in world (1987); famous for spandex body suit she wore at '85 Wimbledon.


Danny Heater, Burnsville (Braxton County)
Burnsville High guard scored national-record 135 points against Wilden in 173-43 victory on Jan. 26, 1960.

[mountaineerinpa]

John Kruk, Charleston (Kanawha County)
Baseball and basketball star at Keyser High; three-time All-Star batted .300 in 10 major league seasons; played for 1993 NL champion Phillies.

John is from Keyser, Mineral County.

[rainman]

(Kruk was born in Charleston and raised in Keyser - see below)

John Kruk

First baseman/Left fielder

Born: February 9, 1961 (1961-02-09) (age 46)
Batted: Left Threw: Left
MLB debut
April 7, 1986
for the San Diego Padres
Final game
July 30, 1995
for the Chicago White Sox
Career statistics
Batting average .300
Home runs 100
RBI 592
Teams
San Diego Padres (1986-1989)
Philadelphia Phillies (1989-1994)
Chicago White Sox (1995)

Career highlights and awards
National League pennant: 1993
All-Star (NL): 1991, 1992, 1993
.397 career on base percentage is 72nd on all-time list

John Martin Kruk (born February 9, 1961 in Charleston, West Virginia) is an American former Major League Baseball player and current baseball analyst for ESPN.

Kruk was raised in Keyser, West Virginia in Mineral County, the state's Potomac Highlands. He played baseball at Keyser High School in Keyser, West Virginia, at Potomac State College, and at Allegany Community College, He began his professional career with the San Diego Padres after being drafted in 1981. He played in such outposts as Walla Walla, Reno, Beaumont, and Las Vegas, before making his debut with the Padres in 1986. While at Allegany Community College Kruk played for Junior College Hall of Fame Coach Steve Bazarnic. Kruk was the first Major Leaguer to come out of Allegany and has since been followed by four others (Stan Belinda, Steve Kline, Joe Beimel and Scott Seabol).

The portly outfielder was dealt to the Philadelphia Phillies during the 1989 season, and he blossomed into an All-Star as the team used him primarily at first base. Kruk played in the All-Star Game in 1991, 1992, and 1993. In 1993, he had a memorable at bat when he flailed wildly at 98 mile per hour fastballs from Seattle Mariners pitcher Randy Johnson. Johnson's initial "Mr. Snappy" pitch was so far inside and above his head that the intimidated Kruk (acting like he was about to have a heart attack) backed up nearly to the on-deck circle for the remainder of the at-bat.

Kruk, who batted .316/.430/.475 in 1993, was also the leader of the Phillies' "Macho Row" which led the team to the World Series against the Toronto Blue Jays; in the losing effort, Kruk batted .348/.500/.391 in the Series.

During spring training in 1994, Kruk was diagnosed with testicular cancer after an errant pickoff throw from teammate Mitch Williams hit him in the groin and broke his protective cup. Additionally, weight gain and the astroturf at Veterans Stadium exacerbated his knee problems. After the 1994 season, Kruk was granted free agency.

Moving to the American League to serve as a designated hitter, Kruk signed with the Chicago White Sox. He was effective with the "pale hose", batting .308/.399/.390, but he was tired of the game and, as he told the Chicago Tribune, he wanted to spend the rest of the year "eating at the Sizzler's buffet." On July 30, 1995, in a game at Baltimore's Camden Yards stadium, Kruk singled and took himself out of the game. He left the ballpark never to play again. He finished his 10-year career with exactly a .300 batting average and exactly 100 home runs.

A quotable character throughout his career who later wrote a book called I Ain't an Athlete, Lady published in 1994, Kruk turned to broadcasting and commenting on the game. He has since worked for FOX, The Best Damn Sports Show Period, and local telecasts in Philadelphia. In 2004, he was hired by ESPN as an analyst on Baseball Tonight. He also writes a column called Chewing the Fat on ESPN.com.

Kruk also managed for a year within the Phillies organization. He led the Phillies' AA minor league team in Reading, Pennsylvania during the 2000 season prior to his broadcasting career.

Rather than be self-conscious about his decidedly non-athletic-looking body, Kruk would often joke about it. He once quipped that he needed two hands to haul ass. He also joked that the number he wore on the back of his uniform (#8) was actually his portrait. He has recently appeared in commercials for Nutrisystem with other retired athletes. In the commercials, he claims a weight loss of 32 pounds.

Kruk also voiced himself in the Aqua Teen Hunger Force Episode Sirens.


Weight Problems
In 1993, John Kruk was weighed in at 313 lbs., making him by far the heaviest player ever to play in a Phillies uniform. He is infamously known for benching himself due to the "flu" during a 1993 game at Veterans Stadium, then being found purchasing hot dogs from vendors.

[mountaineerinpa]

Oh I was unaware of him being born in Charleston. Having been raised in Keyser myself and a few years in school behind him I assumed he was from there, He was there eer since I can remember.

[WVUfanPHILLY]

LOL, I was lookin' for John Kruk in that list. He was a BIG part of the Phillies run to the World Series in 93.