Mike Krukow, a longtime veteran of the San Francisco Giants’ broadcasting booth, has announced that he will retire at the end of the season. The 74-year-old first joined the organization in 1983 as a player, and he has been a part of the Giants’ broadcast team for the last 37 seasons.
Krukow announced his retirement in a statement released by the team: “I just want to let everyone know that I will be retiring at the end of the season. I want to take this time to thank you for your incredible support. Jennifer and I have been so blessed to be able to stay in the game for as long as we have and it’s really made it impossible to feel sorry for myself that my career is coming to an end. We are bracing for the emotional hits we know we are going to feel in the next few weeks. Jennifer and I are wondering if it is even possible to let everyone know how deeply we love and respect our Giants family. Our time together has been a gift.
When Green Day asked, ‘I hope you’ve had the time of your lives,’ we certainly have. Thank you.”
Krukow has been an integral part of a Giants collective that regularly sits near or at the top of most MLB broadcast rankings, with a wide range of references and recurring bits that are voluminous enough to fill an entire glossary.
In recent seasons, Krukow’s ability to travel with the team has been limited because of a degenerative muscle condition, inclusion-body myositis, that was diagnosed more than 15 years ago. While he would often join the team on road trips as far west as Colorado before the 2020 season, he has since called road games exclusively from a remote location.
Giants president and CEO Larry Baer announced in a separate statement that Krukow will be honored at Oracle Park on Sept. 27.
“In these final two months of the season, remember to take the time to turn on your television and just watch and listen to the most dynamic TV broadcast partners – Kruk and Kuip,” Baer wrote.
Baer also reflected on the emotions Krukow’s announcement has elicited.
“While we knew this day would eventually come, Mike Krukow stepping away from the broadcast booth is a deeply emotional moment for our Giants family,” Baer said.
“On behalf of our extended Giants family, I want to express our profound gratitude for everything Kruk has given — not only to this franchise, but to each of us personally. For decades, he has shared far more than his voice. He has been our spiritual leader.
“With his beloved and inseparable partner Duane Kuiper, he has taught generations of fans about baseball, brought us inside it from the perspective of a Major League pitcher and called every game with incredible insight, unmistakable humor and genuine heart.
“Most importantly, he has had a rare gift for making every Giants fan feel like they belong. Whether someone is sitting in the ballpark, watching from home, or listening on the radio halfway around the world, Kruk makes every Giants fan feel like they are part of something bigger — a family.
“We often talk about what it means to be a Forever Giant. No one embodies that more completely than Kruk. His impact extends far beyond the broadcast booth. He’s been one of the great ambassadors for this franchise, and his passion, spirit, character and love for the Giants have shaped this organization for generations.”
Source link
