As the general manager of the Bulls, Jerry Krause helped bring six championships to Chicago in eight years.
Back in 2017, another Chicago championship architect suggested Krause played a role in bringing a seventh title to the city.
During his days as a scout for the White Sox — the job he held prior to taking over as the Bulls’ general manager — Krause played a role in the acquisitions of several important figures in franchise history, including Kenny Williams, Ozzie Guillen, Julio Cruz, Ed Farmer, Greg Luzinski, Tom Seaver and Greg Walker.
After their playing days were done, Williams and Guillen made their way into the roles of general manager and manager, respectively. And Williams built the roster Guillen led to a World Series win in 2005.
“He had a hand in seven championships being that he scouted both Ozzie (Guillen) and myself, and counseled us in the early years of some of the things we had to go through in our general manager-player relationships,” Williams said following Krause’s death three years ago. “He's probably telling his friends up there right now he actually has seven.”
After his time with the Bulls was finished, Krause returned to baseball scouting, working for the Yankees, Mets and Diamondbacks in addition to another stint with the White Sox, serving as international scouting director from 2010 to 2011.
Williams, who met Krause as a 17-year-old prospect in California before the team selected him in the third round of the 1982 draft, described his relationship with Krause as a “lifetime” friendship.
NBA
“I wish people had got to know his softer side because he's a good family man,” Williams said. “A good fisherman. He could tell a story, man. He could recite stories from 20, 30 years ago. I wish the public had gotten a chance to know him along those lines — maybe he would have gotten a break he probably deserved.”
Click here to download the new MyTeams App by NBC Sports! Receive comprehensive coverage of your teams and stream the White Sox easily on your device.