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How acquired: The Dodgers signed the left-handed Krueger as a free agent for the 1988 season after releasing him the previous fall. They originally acquired him from the Oakland A's in the middle of 1987 for minor-leaguer Tim Meeks.
Prior MLB experience: After signing out of the University of Portland as an undrafted free-agent, Krueger climbed the Oakland organizational ladder and debuted in 1983, toiling as a starter for a few seasons, but by 1987 was back in Triple-A. As a member of the Athletics, he appeared in 95 games (66 starts) for 443 innings, and posted a 27-31 record with a 4.55 ERA (84 ERA+), 3.8 K/9 and 4.6 BB/9. He added 2⅓ scoreless innings in two games during a September 1987 call-up with the Dodgers.
1988 age: 30
1988 stats: Accumulated entirely in his regular season game of the year, the only appearance Krueger would make.
Regular season game of the year: The Dodgers needed a replacement starter due to an injury to Don Sutton, so Krueger was brought up from Albuquerque for an Independence Day start in Dodger Stadium. Unfortunately he lasted only 2⅓ innings, allowing three runs on four hits, two walks, one hit batsman, and six stolen bases allowed, but at least that was time the bullpen did not have endure. But other than allowing Krueger's final run on a sacrifice fly, the relievers (Holton, Pena and Belcher) were flawless as the Dodgers rallied with a home-run from Kirk Gibson, and an eighth inning, two-RBI single by John Shelby to beat John Tudor and the Cardinals 5-3.
NLCS & World Series performance: In the rare deal between the end of the regular season and the beginning of the playoffs, the Dodgers dealt Krueger to the Pittsburgh Pirates, receiving minor-league right-hander Jim Neidlinger in return.
Post-1988 playing career: Krueger made it back to the majors and bounced between six teams over the next seven seasons. He appeared in 203 games (97 starts) for 746⅔ innings, recording 41 wins, 35 losses, a 4.22 (97 ERA+), with 5.4 strikeouts and 3.2 walks per nine innings pitched.
Where he is now: After retiring, Krueger first worked on Seattle Mariners radio broadcasts and since 2000 is the "Senior Baseball Analyst" for Root Sports Northwest, which televises the Mariners currently. Krueger also had near-death experience less than six months ago when he suffered a cardiac arrest and was resuscitated by sports club employees using a defibrillator. He and his wife are also active in fundraising and awareness of autism.