3 likeliest candidates to replace Mike Krukow in SF Giants broadcast booth

By now, SF Giants fans have probably heard that longtime broadcaster Mike Krukow will be retiring after this season. It’s a gut punch in what has been a brutal Giants season for so many reasons.

We should do everything we can to celebrate and cherish Krukow these next few months, but naturally one’s mind is going to turn to who will replace Krukow in the booth.

It will be an impossible task because of how beloved Krukow is and how familiar Giants fans are with his wit, charm, and humor but someone is going to have to be the color commentator going forward so let’s break down the possibilities.

3 options to replace Mike Krukow in the booth

Hunter Pence

If one had to bet on it, Hunter Pence seems like the most logical option to take over the bulk of broadcast duties after Krukow retires. Pence has been in the broadcast game pretty much since he’s retired as a player and has called many a Giants game in recent years.

Usually he will call games alongside Dave Flemming like he did during the team’s most recent series against the Texas Rangers, but he’s called games with Duane Kuiper as well so they have a rapport.

Pence is beloved by Giants fans so if they’re going to try to replace a franchise icon in Krukow, they may as well do it with another franchise icon.

Some have taken issue with Pence’s broadcasting style but it’s the exact same style he had as a player: a little goofy, unorthodox, and maybe even slightly corny at times, but with boundless energy and passion.

Expect him to call a lot of games for the Giants next year.

Shawn Estes

From time to time former Giants pitcher Shawn Estes will call games for the Giants. He is a well-liked voice in the booth and definitely brings a lot of baseball knowledge. He’s also not afraid to call the team out as he did earlier this year during postgame coverage so he’s a guy they could turn to if they want someone who is willing to be more critical of the team.

Javier Lopez

Giants fans have really enjoyed having Javier Lopez in the broadcast booth in recent years but he’s taken a step back this season due to his new role with the front office. He called a few series earlier in the year in Atlanta and Miami so maybe he can continue to do that in future years.

In many ways the Giants have been preparing for this possibility for years by getting guys like Pence and Lopez some experience in the booth. They will probably opt for multiple guys to cycle throughout the year but I’d expect Pence to cover the bulk of games that Krukow would normally do, especially home games since Pence still lives in San Francisco so he won’t have to relocate. 

It will be a sad changing of the guard but we will never forget how much joy and how many fond memories Krukow has brought this fanbase over the years. He will forever be missed.

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