Cal Poly Athletics Hall of Fame
- Induction:
- 1987
Mike Krukow was drafted in the eighth round by the Chicago Cubs after his junior year of competition at Cal Poly. Though his collegiate eligibility was cut short, he still holds the record for earned run average in a career with 1.94 and is tied for most shutouts in a season (5).
Mike made his Major League debut in 1977 with Philadelphia and in 1982 was acquired by the San Francisco Giants. He was an All-Star performer in 1986 after a 20-win season. He posted a record of 20–9 with a 3.05 ERA and finished third in that year's NL Cy Young Award behind Mike Scott and Fernando Valenzuela. He received the Willie Mac Award in 1985 and 1986 for his spirit and leadership.
Krukow's 20 wins in 1986 were the most by a Giants pitcher since Ron Bryant won 24 in 1973. In 1987, he helped the Giants win their first pennant since1971.
Mike is the radio and televison announcer for the San Francisco Giants. Krukow began broadcasting as an occasional color analyst for KNBR radio in 1990 and became a full-time broadcaster in 1994. He is a seven-time Emmy award winner. "Kruk," who was named as the starting right-handed pitcher to the 1980s Giants All-Decade Team in a vote by Bay Area media in 1999, is noted for his deep knowledge of the game and tremendous sense of humor. He is known for his detailed scouting reports on umpires' strike zones.
Part of the San Francisco Giants broadcasting team, Krukow is half of the duo dubbed "Kruk and Kuip," along with partner Duane Kuiper, a former Giants teammate. Krukow and Kuiper tape a game-day commentary ("Kruk and Kuip on baseball") for KNBR radio as part of the Giants' pre-game radio coverage. Notably, although Krukow was a pitcher and Kuiper was a position player, Krukow has five career home runs, four more than Kuiper (who managed only one in his career despite having over 3,000 at-bats).
In July 2014, Krukow revealed he was suffering from inclusion body myositis (IBM). His condition was known to the Giants and many of his fellow broadcasters, but he kept the condition a secret from the general public until then. The disease, which mainly affects the quadriceps and hand muscles, is not life-threatening, but now requires him to use a cane.
Krukow has a few "Kruktionary" catchphrases, including: "Grab some pine, meat"; "Just another, ha ha ha ha, laugher!" (after a nail-biter win); and "I wanna get that!", the last of which is associated with a product endorsement.
He resides in Reno, Nevada, with his wife, five children and several grandchildren.
Krukow attended San Gabriel High School in San Gabriel, Calif., where he played as a catcher. He was drafted as a catcher by the California Angels in the 32nd round of the 1970 Major League Baseball Draft but did not sign, choosing instead to play baseball at Cal Poly.
