It’s been a time of heartbreak and celebration across Oracle Park this week.
During the second inning of the Giants’ 5-2 victory against the Detroit Tigers on Friday night, the team held a special tribute for color commentator Mike Krukow, who announced earlier this week that he was retiring as the team’s broadcaster at the end of the season.
The tribute began just after the Giants recorded a double play to end the top half of the second. Team public address announcer Carolyn McArdle spoke to the crowd: “Yesterday, our beloved Mike Krukow announced he would be retiring at the end of this season. Marking the end of a truly remarkable career with the Giants organization.”
The crowd erupted in cheers for Krukow as the center field scoreboard showed a collage of him throughout the years as a former player and broadcaster for the team.
Krukow ushered in the warm reception by a sellout Giants crowd that was giving him a standing ovation, while the song “Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)” by the Oakland punk rock band Green Day echoed from the speakers.
As Krukow acknowledged a round of applause from the fans, McArdle continued to speak about Krukow’s accomplishments with the Giants over the last 43 years: “He’s been one of the great ambassadors for this franchise for his passion, spirit, character and love for the Giants, and making every Giants fan feel a part of something bigger, a family.”
The Giants broadcast then displayed a graphic that noted some of Krukow’s accomplishments, including calling Giants games since 1990. He also has been a 13-time local Emmy Award winner, a three-time California Sportscaster of the Year recipient and a three-time Ford C. Frick Award finalist. Krukow also called four World Series.
The Giants are planning to celebrate Krukow’s career during their final home game of the season on Sunday, Sept. 27, when they host the Los Angeles Dodgers.
