Jerry Krause was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. He played high school baseball as a catcher at Taft High School before attending Bradley University.1 Although he initially wanted to be a sportswriter, Krause instead began his career working as a scout for various professional baseball and basketball teams in the 1960s and 1970s.2 His first job in sports was as the General Manager of the AAA Portland Beavers baseball team.2 He then worked as a scout for the Baltimore Bullets, where he urged the team to draft Phil Jackson in 1967, and later scouted for the Phoenix Suns, Philadelphia 76ers, Los Angeles Lakers, and Chicago Bulls.21 Krause also spent many years scouting for MLB teams like the Cleveland Indians, Oakland Athletics, Seattle Mariners and Chicago White Sox in the 1970s and early 1980s.1

Jerry Krause's early career included stints as a scout for both professional baseball and basketball teams. He worked for several MLB organizations, including the Cleveland Indians, Oakland Athletics, Seattle Mariners, and Chicago White Sox in the 1970s and early 1980s.12 During his time with the White Sox, Krause played a role in the signing of Ozzie Guillén and Kenny Williams, who would later lead the team to a World Series championship in 2005 as manager and general manager, respectively.2

While scouting for the Mariners, Krause simultaneously worked part-time as a basketball scout for the Los Angeles Lakers.2 His transition to focusing primarily on basketball occurred when he joined the Chicago Bulls as General Manager in 1985.13 Krause's experience scouting in both sports helped shape his keen eye for talent and his ability to identify players who could contribute to building a winning team.14

Jerry Krause was renowned for his tireless work ethic and keen eye for talent. As a scout at heart, he relied on his instincts and deep knowledge of the game to identify promising players.12 Krause's dedication to his craft was legendary - he would leave no stone unturned in his search for the next star, scouting players from all levels of competition.34

However, Krause's personality often clashed with those around him. He was sensitive about his appearance and height, with some describing him as having a "little man problem."35 Players like Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen mocked Krause's weight and the donut residue often found on his lapels, nicknaming him "Crumbs."4 This contributed to the tense relationships Krause had with many of the Bulls' star players and coaches.34 Despite the personal animosity, Krause's colleagues still respected his work ethic, drive, and loyalty to the Bulls organization.32

Jerry Krause and Phil Jackson had a complex relationship that deteriorated over time, contributing to the breakup of the Bulls dynasty. Krause initially recommended Jackson to the Bulls and the two were friends for many years.12 However, their relationship soured in the 1990s, exacerbated by the book The Jordan Rules which detailed tension between Krause and the players.1

Before the 1997-98 season, Krause told Jackson he would not be re-signed even if the Bulls went 82-0, a decision that infuriated Michael Jordan.13 Krause's now-infamous quote that "organizations win championships" rather than players was seen as a slight towards Jackson and Jordan.14 After the Bulls' sixth title in 1998, Jackson declined a long-term offer from owner Jerry Reinsdorf to rebuild the team, effectively ending his tenure as Bulls head coach.15 The deterioration of Krause and Jackson's relationship was a key factor in the dissolution of the Bulls dynasty.34