Kruk feels at home again with the Phillies   Little did former Phillie John Kruk know that when he was giving the media a hard time as a player that he would eventually become a member of the media. "Pretty scary, isn't it," said Kruk who is enjoying his first year as an announcer for the Phillies and preparing for a reunion of the 1993 Phillies National League Championship team this weekend at Veterans Stadium. Kruk is a color analyst for the Phillies home games during the fourth, fifth and sixth innings, working with Chris Wheeler. Kruk is employed by the team, but "pulling a Larry Brown," said he doesn't know his exact title (marketing & client relations specialist). Though successful as a host of "The Best Damn Sports Show Period" on Fox Sports Net, Kruk eschewed the Hollywood lifestyle and returned to the Delaware Valley, where he maintained a home during his time on the show to be with his wife, Melissa, and son, Kyle, 15 months. He continues his friendship with "BDSSP" co-host Tom Arnold and catches the show on a regular basis. Kruk said he isn't surprised that fellow co-host Michael Irvin moved on to a coveted ESPN job. "He's awesome," Kruk said. But he isn't doing cartwheels over news reader Lisa Guerrero's promotion to "Monday Night Football" on ABC. "We personally never got along, but she worked hard," Kruk said. Kruk isn't changing his personality for his broadcasting career. "I'm not going to speak in a boring, deep voice. I'm not going to change my hair," he said. "I ask [the game producers] all the time if I can wear a hat on the air because I hate to comb my hair. There is no bull with me. This is who I am." The three-time All-Star defended National League manager Dusty Baker, who has been under fire for comments he made about blacks and Latinos. "Whatever happened to freedom of speech? Should I get into trouble if I say that white people get sunburned easier?" he said. Kruk also said that the home-advantage in the World Series should go to the team that has the best record during the regular season, not the winner of the All-Star game. The former leader of 1993's "Macho Row" keeps in touch with many of his former teammates, including Mitch Williams - who introduced him to his wife - Lenny Dykstra, and Darren Daulton, whom Kruk said also may do some broadcast work for the Phillies in the future. But for now Kruk is happy to join fellow 1993 alumnus Larry Anderson as a Phillies broadcaster. "I'd do this job forever if they ask me," he said. Air Buddies CBS-3 sports director Beasley Reece is unveiling a new feature "Beasley's Buddies," which shows kids playing sports on Tuesdays at 11 p.m. "The business has certainly changed since I started in 1985," Reece said. "ESPN, Comcast and the internet have changed the way we do business. "Franchise series like "Beasley's Buddies," along with a focus on the local scene, are the way to go. Some stations have eliminated sports at 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. The hardcore sports fan is going to turn to ESPN for national news. Some stations have eliminated their sports departments completely. They have a sports producer who writes and cuts highlights for the main anchors to voice over. A local sportscaster who doesn't recognize the trend and who doesn't look to reinvent his or herself is on the endangered species list." Fans of Reece may want to check out his new Web site at http://www.beasleyreece.com/. Help wanted again Comcast SportsNet will be looking for a new Sixers analyst for "Post Game Live" because John Nash is joining the Portland Trail Blazers as general manager. Portland assistant head coach Jimmy Lynam also did the CSN gig before returning to the pros. Rush job Appropriately named Rush Limbaugh will join ESPN's "Sunday NFL Countdown" as the "Voice of the Fan" this season. G-Lo joins mix Probably because of his hysterical appearance on the show "On the Record with Bob Costas" a few weeks ago, comedian George Lopez has been added to the lineup of "Inside the NFL" on HBO with Costas, Dan Marino, Cris Collinsworth, Cris Carter and funny lady Wanda Sykes. Laura Nachman covers television and radio sports for the Courier Times. She can be reached at bradyresident@aol.com.  July 18, 2003 7:16 AM