Jerry Krause, architect of the Chicago Bulls 1990s super-dynasty passed away Tuesday. The former Chicago Bulls General Manager and White Sox scout, who died from persistent health issues, including osteomyelitis, was 77. He retired last spring from his scouting job with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Here’s a Tweet from the Chicago Tribune’s Bulls beat reporter K.C. Johnson. Below that is a Tweet from the Tribune’s Mark Gonzalez, who covered Jerry Krause during his days with the Sox.
Jerry Krause, GM of the Bulls for their six title teams, passed away this afternoon at age 77, a member of the family told the Tribune. RIP
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) March 21, 2017
Jerry Krause, RIP. knew him as a darn good baseball man dating back to 1984.
— Mark Gonzales (@MDGonzales) March 21, 2017
Jerry Krause took over as Bulls GM in 1985, and retired from that role in 2003. The cause of death has not been made public yet. His intense public feuds with former Bulls Coach Phil Jackson and legendary Bulls scribe Sam Smith have been well documented publicly.
Krause, a finalist for the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in the contributor category this year, began his career as a sports executive in a low level, small wage job with the Chicago Cubs way back in the early 1960s.
The team will wear Krause’s initials on their uniforms this season, and it could be added by tomorrow night. In the game with the Toronto Raptors tonight, a moment of silence was held. Here’s an excerpt from the Chicago Bulls official release, it contains statements from club leadership:
“The entire Bulls organization is deeply saddened by the passing of Jerry Krause,” said Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf. “Jerry was one of the hardest working guys I have ever been around, and he was one of the best talent evaluators ever. Jerry played an integral role in our run of six championships in eight years.
“He truly was the architect of all our great teams in the ’90s. I would not have been elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame if it were not for Jerry. We will miss him tremendously, and we send our thoughts and prayers to his wife Thelma and the Krause family.”
“I owe a lot to Jerry. If it weren’t for him bringing me to Chicago in 1985, I probably never would have been a Bull,” said Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations John Paxson.
“He had a great eye for talent, and his ability to build a team is unrivaled. He’s one of the best the league has ever seen. We’re keeping Thelma and his family in our thoughts and prayers.”
“Jerry was a great basketball executive who I was fortunate to have worked for when I first joined the Bulls,” said General Manager Gar Forman. “For those that did not know him, Jerry was an even better person. He was a quality human being who treated everyone great. He will be missed dearly. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family.”
Krause is survived by his wife, Thelma; his two children, Stacy and David; and, his grandchildren Colette, Josh, Mia and Riley.
Information related to a memorial service for Krause will be announced at a later date.
In 2010, Jerry Krause went back to the White Sox, and served as a scout, a role he held with the club in the 1970s and 1980s.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, partnered with FOX Sports Engage Network. and News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times and NBC Chicago.com, contributes to Chicago Tribune.com, Bold, WGN CLTV and KOZN.
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