SF Giants baseball will never be the same after Mike Krukow’s retirement

We all knew this day would come, but it still doesn’t feel real. SF Giants broadcaster Mike Krukow announced that he will be retiring after this season.

He is 74 years old and has been dealing with health issues for over a decade, but the fact that we only get a few more months of hearing Krukow call games is tough to wrap one’s mind around.

He and his broadcast partner Duane Kuiper are synonymous with Giants baseball and it will simply not feel right for them not to be together next season.

There is a generation of Giants fans, of which I’m a part of, who do not remember Giants baseball without Kruk and Kuip. My entire life I have heard those two guys call games and they have made me laugh, get emotional, and taught me about the game of baseball.

Any time that Giants fans are forced to listen to broadcasters who are not Kruk and Kuip it’s clear just how spoiled Giants fans are to have them in the booth.

It simply feels like you’re watching a game with two friends and you get to hear their banter and old stories or unique catchphrases. Who else would say the phrase that Krukow dropped earlier this year ahead of Bryce Eldridge’s walk-off grand slam?

Of course Krukow has his ticks and phrases that we can all recite. Pitchers want to throw 15 pitches per inning or less. Yes, Kruk, we know. Or my Grandpa’s favorite when Kruk would say that a pitcher has an open base when there are runners on first and second and there’s two outs which means you’d be walking another runner into scoring position.

But that’s why Krukow is like a family member to so many Giants fans. We’ve heard all his stories and his jokes but they still make us laugh and we love him for it.

Health cut Mike Krukow's SF Giants broadcast career short

It’s just a shame that his health has prevented him from continuing in the broadcast booth because if he was still in good health he could have easily gone another five years if he wanted to.

But he’s decided now is the right time to step away. There are going to be a lot of misty-eyed Giants fans for the team’s final game this season at Oracle Park. The stands might be empty actually because everyone will want to stay home and listen to Krukow one more time.

All we know for sure is that Giants baseball is never going to be quite the same without Krukow in the booth. His unique voice and charm have become synonymous with the team so it will be a great loss once he has officially retired.

I just want to thank Krukow because without him I don’t even know if I’d be as hardcore of a Giants fan as I am. Removing him from Giants baseball is like taking away John Williams’ score from Star Wars. Sure, the visuals are still amazing but the music adds a layer of magic that takes it to a new level.

Krukow was a key part of the music behind Giants baseball and now for the rest of my life that music will most likely always feel slightly out of tune.

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