Bill Krueger was a left-handed pitcher who played in Major League Baseball for 12 seasons. He was born on April 24, 1958, in Waukegan, Illinois, and attended the University of Texas at Arlington. Krueger was drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the third round of the 1979 MLB draft.
Krueger made his MLB debut with the Athletics in 1983. He spent three seasons with the team, primarily as a relief pitcher. In 1986, he was traded to the Seattle Mariners, where he would spend the next six seasons. Krueger had his best season in 1987, when he went 10-9 with a 3.56 ERA in 32 starts. He also pitched a complete game shutout that season.
Krueger was known for his control on the mound, as he walked just 1.9 batters per nine innings over his career. He was also a ground ball pitcher, inducing double plays at a high rate. Krueger was a reliable starter for the Mariners, averaging 30 starts per season from 1987 to 1991.
In 1993, Krueger was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers. He spent two seasons with the team, primarily as a reliever. He finished his career with the Minnesota Twins in 1995, where he made just two appearances before retiring.
Over his 12-year career, Krueger had a record of 68-73 with a 4.35 ERA in 1,259 innings pitched. He struck out 573 batters and walked just 266. Krueger was a durable pitcher, making at least 25 starts in eight seasons.
After retiring from baseball, Krueger became a broadcaster. He worked as a color commentator for the Mariners from 1996 to 2006, and has also worked for ESPN and Fox Sports. Krueger has also been involved in coaching, serving as a pitching coach for the University of Washington and the Everett AquaSox, a minor league affiliate of the Mariners.
Overall, Bill Krueger had a solid career as a left-handed pitcher in the major leagues. He was a reliable starter for several seasons and had a reputation for his control and ability to induce ground balls. After retiring from baseball, Krueger has continued to be involved in the sport as a broadcaster and coach.
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