San Francisco Giants legend Mike Krukow officially announced Thursday, April 6, he’s calling it a career after 36 incredible years in the booth. The voice of Giants baseball, alongside his commentary partner Duane Kuiper, Krukow, 74, will retire at the end of this season, marking the end of an era for a duo known affectionately as “Kruk and Kuip.”
An End to a Legendary Run
These two have been a Bay Area staple for over three decades, witnessing some of the most memorable moments in club history. We’re talking three World Series runs and Barry Bonds’ road to becoming MLB’s all-time home run king. They did it all with their own unique flair, coining so many iconic terms that The Athletic even published an in-depth glossary just for their sayings, from the classic “Bettina Bunge backhand” to the unforgettable “Yarrraaaarraaarrrarrrahhhaaahhhhhhhhhhhhh” when someone gets caught mid-yawn. They’re so legendary that Ken Rosenthal actually pushed for the Pro Baseball Hall of Fame to make an exception to its policy and induct both Krukow and Kuiper together into Cooperstown. Meanwhile, Kuiper confirmed he plans on continuing next season.
Krukow’s statement hit different for fans: “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.” That’s real, honest stuff right there.
Trade Deadline Explodes While a Legend Steps Away
While one chapter closes, the league exploded on trade deadline day, Thursday, August 6. The Los Angeles Dodgers, already the World Series champions, just solidified themselves as the favorites to win it all again by trading for back-to-back Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts even said, “I don’t think I’ve felt this good after getting swept,” after a Sunday loss to the Boston Red Sox, who are on a wild winning streak and were clearly in the mix for deals themselves.
And deals they made! The Pittsburgh Pirates, pushing for their first postseason appearance in 11 years, bolstered their bullpen with a trade for Luke Weaver from the New York Mets. Weaver is rocking a 1.84 ERA this season, in the first year of a two-year, $22 million deal. Then came the stunner on Monday, August 3: the Red Sox traded for three-time All-Star catcher Adley Rutschman from the Orioles. Rutschman, 28, was the first overall pick in 2019, chosen over Bobby Witt Jr., and his departure marks the end of a failed rebuild in Baltimore with a rare intra-division deal.
So, as Mike Krukow gets ready to hang up the headset at the end of this season, MLB is still shaking from today’s deadline. Will the Dodgers actually be untouchable now? Can the Pirates ride Luke Weaver to their first postseason in over a decade? We’re all watching.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
Leave a Reply