Giants Broadcast Legends Kruk and Kuip Announce Retirement
SAN FRANCISCO — A cherished era of San Francisco Giants baseball is coming to a close. Beloved broadcasters Mike Krukow and Duane Kuiper — affectionately known to fans as “Kruk and Kuip” — announced their retirement today, marking the end of a partnership that has defined Giants broadcasts for decades.
The Voices of Generations
For Bay Area fans, Kruk and Kuip weren’t just announcers. They were companions through summer evenings, trusted storytellers who translated the nuances of the game with humor, warmth, and an unmistakable authenticity. Their chemistry, forged both on the field and in the booth, became as much a part of Giants baseball as the orange and black itself.
Duane Kuiper, who played second base for the Giants and Cleveland Indians before entering the booth in 1986, was the steady play-by-play voice. Mike Krukow, a former Giants pitcher, joined him in 1990, bringing color commentary filled with wit, candor, and an insider’s perspective. Together, they turned every game into a shared conversation, peppered with stories, laughter, and a palpable love for baseball.
A Legacy of Storytelling
Their calls became legendary, not because they chased highlight reels, but because they captured the everyday beauty of the sport. From Kuip’s famous “It’s outta here!” home run call to Krukow’s candid breakdowns and trademark laughter, the duo created a style that was uniquely theirs.
They also weren’t afraid to be themselves. Whether it was laughing through a miscue, telling stories about their playing days, or gently poking fun at each other, Kruk and Kuip brought humanity to the booth — and fans adored them for it.
Health Challenges and Resilience
In recent years, both broadcasters faced health challenges that limited their travel schedules. Krukow, battling a degenerative muscle disease, shifted to calling mostly home games, while Kuiper took extended leaves for personal health matters. Still, each time they returned, the ballpark felt more alive. Their resilience only deepened the admiration fans had for them.
The Farewell
In their joint statement, Kruk and Kuip expressed gratitude to the Giants organization, the players, and above all, the fans. “We’ve had the best seat in the house for the best fans in baseball,” Kuiper said. “It’s been the honor of a lifetime.” Krukow added, “We’ve laughed, we’ve cried, and we’ve seen it all. The memories will stay with us forever.”
What Comes Next
The Giants announced plans to celebrate Kruk and Kuip throughout the upcoming season, including special broadcasts, tributes at Oracle Park, and opportunities for fans to share their own memories. While the broadcast booth will move into a new era, the voices of Kruk and Kuip will remain etched into the soundtrack of Giants history.
For Giants fans, it’s not just the end of a chapter — it’s the closing of a book that has been read and re-read with joy for over 30 years. The broadcast may sound different next season, but the echoes of Kruk and Kuip will always linger, somewhere between the crack of the bat and the roar of the crowd.
