By Stig Editor 
JUST IN: Kruk and Kuip Announce Retirement in Emotional Interview
Legendary San Francisco Giants broadcasters Mike Krukow and Duane Kuiper, affectionately known as Kruk and Kuip, have announced their retirement in a heartfelt interview on June 3, 2025, at 7:03. The duo, who have been the voice of Giants baseball for over three decades, shared their decision with KNBR 680 radio, revealing that they had an agreement with the team’s leadership to step down together. “We had an agreement with the leadership of the team; it’s high time we retire… it’s really hard to say ‘Goodbye,’” Kuiper said, his voice heavy with emotion. The announcement marks the end of an era for Giants fans, who have cherished their commentary since 1994.
Krukow, 73, and Kuiper, 75, reflected on their journey, from their days as teammates in the 1980s to becoming the best broadcast team in baseball, as ranked by Awful Announcing multiple times. They spoke about the joy of calling three World Series championships in 2010, 2012, and 2014, with Krukow recalling the 2010 parade: “It was like everyone in San Francisco had just gotten laid for the first time.” Their chemistry, built on a deep friendship, shone through as they reminisced about iconic calls like Kuiper’s “High drive… it’s outta here!” and Krukow’s “Grab some pine, meat!”—phrases that became part of Giants lore.
The decision to retire comes after years of health challenges for both. Krukow has been managing inclusion body myositis, which limited his travel and led him to broadcast road games from a studio, while Kuiper battled cancer in 2021 and lost his wife in 2022. Despite these struggles, they continued to bring warmth and humor to the booth, often likened to “two favorite uncles” by fans on social media. Their retirement had been rumored since a joint announcement earlier this month on May 12, 2025, where they hinted at stepping back, but today’s interview confirmed their exit after the 2025 season.
Fans have flooded platforms like Reddit with tributes, many echoing sentiments from a May 18 post: “I regularly question whether I enjoy baseball, or if I just enjoy listening to Kruk and Kuip.” Others expressed sadness but gratitude, with one user noting, “Their voices echoed through my house every summer as a kid.” The duo’s impact is undeniable, having created a new generation of Giants fans with their wit and wisdom, as seen in their influence on broadcasters like Dave Flemming, who is expected to take over alongside Javier Lopez.
Krukow and Kuiper plan to enjoy their final games this season, with Kuiper saying, “We take every day as a gift, and we’ll savor these last moments.” They leave behind a legacy of not just broadcasting excellence but also mentorship, having helped former players like Hunter Pence transition into media roles. As they prepare to step away, Krukow’s words linger: “You never really say goodbye—you just stop showing up every day. But you never stop caring.” Giants baseball will never sound the same without them.