San Francisco Giants beloved long-time broadcaster and former major league pitcher Mike Krukow announced Thursday that he will retire at the end of the 2026 season. The 74-year-old Krukow is stepping away from the broadcast booth after a nearly four-decade career with the organization. Known widely as one-half of the popular broadcasting duo “Kruk and Kuip,” Krukow has spent decades providing color commentary for local NBC telecasts and KNBR radio alongside his best friend and broadcasting partner Duane Kuiper.
San Francisco Giants Broadcaster Mike Krukow to Retire
In a statement released through the club, Krukow expressed gratitude alongside his wife, Jennifer. 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,
Krukow said in the statement. 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.
From Major League Pitcher to Franchise Voice
Krukow’s journey with the franchise began long before he entered the press box. He started his major league pitching career with the Chicago Cubs and the Philadelphia Phillies before being traded to the Giants ahead of the 1983 season. He pitched seven seasons for San Francisco, serving as a staff ace and earning an All-Star nod in 1986 when he won 20 games, before retiring as a player in 1989. During his playing days, Krukow and Kuiper formed a friendship while sitting at the end of the dugout bench between starts to entertain teammates with mock broadcasts. They officially transitioned into the broadcast booth in the early 1990s.
Behind the microphone, Krukow provided the soundtrack for the most prosperous era in Bay Area baseball history, calling three World Series titles, the club’s move to Oracle Park, and historic moments such as Barry Bonds breaking the home run record. Over his broadcasting career, Krukow won 13 local Emmy Awards and was twice named California’s Sportscaster of the Year by the National Sports Media Association in 2015 and 2017. He also earned recognition as a finalist for the National Baseball Hall of Fame’s prestigious Ford C. Frick Award.
Health Challenges and Remote Broadcasting
In recent years, Krukow’s physical mobility became limited due to inclusion-body myositis, a degenerative muscle disease diagnosed more than 15 years ago that causes progressive weakness in the hands, forearms, thighs, and lower legs. The condition required Krukow to use a motorized wheelchair and eventually forced him to stop traveling on extended road trips. To keep Krukow and Kuiper together, the Giants and NBC Sports Bay Area established a split-cast setup, allowing Krukow to continue providing live commentary for road games from a remote studio in San Francisco.
Tributes and Planned Celebrations
Giants President and CEO Larry Baer paid tribute to the broadcaster’s profound impact on the franchise. 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 stated. For decades, he has shared far more than his voice. He has been our spiritual leader.
The Giants announced plans to celebrate Krukow’s legendary career during their regular-season finale against the Los Angeles Dodgers on September 27 at Oracle Park.
Worth a look
