End of an Era: Krukow Retires After 36 Iconic Seasons
Beloved Giants Broadcaster Mike Krukow Announces Retirement After 36 Years
Who Is Mike Krukow?
Imagine someone who has been telling you stories about baseball for your entire life. That’s Mike Krukow (pronounced "Crew-ko") for San Francisco Giants fans!
- Former professional baseball pitcher who played in the Major Leagues
- Beloved broadcaster who has been the voice of Giants baseball for 36 years
- Teammate and best friend of fellow broadcaster Duane Kuiper
- Husband to Jennifer, his partner through thick and thin
- 74 years young and still going strong until the end of this season
Important Point: Mike Krukow isn’t just a sports announcer—he’s considered family by generations of Giants fans who grew up listening to his laugh, his insights, and his genuine love for the game.
The Big Announcement
On Thursday, Mike shared news that made many fans tear up: he will retire at the end of the 2024 season.
His Heartfelt Message to Fans
Mike released a beautiful statement through the team. Here are the most touching parts:
"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."
Important Point: That last line references the Green Day song "Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)"—a perfect soundtrack for a farewell after 36 wonderful years.
Mike’s Baseball Journey: From Player to Broadcaster
As a Player (The "Before Broadcasting" Years)
| Team | Years | Fun Fact |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago Cubs | 1976–1981 | Where he started his MLB career |
| Philadelphia Phillies | 1982 | Brief stop before coming to SF |
| San Francisco Giants | 1983–1989 | His longest stint as a player! |
| All-Star Selection | 1986 | Named one of the best pitchers in the league that year |
Important Point: Mike wasn’t just any player—he was an All-Star in 1986, meaning fans and players voted him as one of the very best pitchers in baseball that season!
As a Broadcaster (The "Voice of the Giants" Years)
-
1990 – Retired as a player, immediately joined KNBR radio as a color analyst
- What’s a "color analyst"? The person who explains why things happen, shares stories, and adds personality alongside the play-by-play announcer
-
Mid-1990s – Moved to television broadcasts alongside Duane Kuiper
- Who’s Duane Kuiper? The play-by-play announcer (the one describing each play as it happens) and Mike’s broadcast partner for 30+ years
- 36 seasons total – Radio AND television, side by side with Kuiper
- They’re famously known as "Kruk and Kuip" — a duo as iconic as peanut butter and jelly!
The Health Challenge He’s Faced Bravely
Since the mid-2000s (that’s nearly 20 years!), Mike has been battling inclusion body myositis (let’s call it IBM for short).
What Is IBM? (Explained Simply)
Think of your muscles like rubber bands. Normally, they stretch and snap back. With IBM, the rubber bands get stiff, weak, and don’t work like they used to—and there’s currently no cure to make them new again.
- Rare disease – Very few people have it
- Progressive – Gets slowly worse over time
- Incurable – No medicine can fix it completely
- Affects muscles – Makes walking, lifting, and even talking harder over the years
Important Point: Despite this really tough disease, Mike kept broadcasting for nearly two more decades! He adapted, used a scooter to get around the ballpark, and never let it steal his joy or his voice.
What This Means for Giants Fans
The End of an Era
- No more "Kruk and Kuip" together in the booth after this season
- 36 summers of Giants baseball with Mike’s laugh, wisdom, and stories
- Generations of fans have never known Giants baseball without him
But Also… A Celebration!
- The rest of this season = a victory lap for a broadcasting legend
- Every game is a chance to say "thank you, Mike!"
- His legacy will live on in highlights, bloopers, and the hearts of fans forever
Important Point: Mike and Jennifer aren’t disappearing—they’ll still be part of the Giants family, just from the stands instead of the booth!
Summary
| What Happened | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Mike Krukow announced retirement at season’s end | After 36 years as the voice of the Giants |
| Former All-Star pitcher (1986) turned broadcaster | Rare to excel at BOTH playing AND announcing |
| Battled IBM (muscle disease) for ~20 years | Showed incredible courage and dedication |
| Heartfelt farewell referencing Green Day lyrics | "We certainly have" had the time of our lives |
| Partnered with Duane Kuiper for 30+ years | "Kruk and Kuip" = one of baseball’s greatest duos |
Bottom line: Mike Krukow gave Giants fans 36 years of joy, wisdom, laughter, and love. He’s retiring not because he has to, but because after a lifetime in baseball, he’s ready to enjoy the next chapter with Jennifer. And we’re all just grateful we got to share the ride.
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
When exactly is Mike Krukow’s last game?
At the end of the 2024 regular season. The exact date depends on the Giants’ schedule, but it’ll be their final home game of the year.
Will Duane Kuiper retire too?
Not announced! As of now, Duane Kuiper plans to continue broadcasting. But the booth will feel very different without his partner of 36 years.
What is "inclusion body myositis" in really simple terms?
It’s a rare muscle disease where muscles slowly get weaker and stiffer over time. Think of it like your body’s "rubber bands" wearing out and not stretching anymore. There’s no cure yet, but Mike has managed it amazingly well for nearly 20 years.
Can I still hear Mike on broadcasts this season?
YES! He’s calling games all season long—both home and away. Every broadcast is a chance to hear him one more time.
What will Mike do after retirement?
He hasn’t shared specific plans, but in his statement, he talked about "bracing for the emotional hits" and enjoying time with Jennifer. Knowing Mike, he’ll stay connected to the Giants family—just with a lot more relaxation time!
"Our time together has been a gift."
— Mike Krukow, thanking Giants fans everywhere
