Duane Kuiper makes hilarious addition to Mike Krukow tribute for last game
Sunday’s season finale marked the final game for iconic San Francisco Giants announcer Mike Krukow. But if you expected it to be a solemn affair, full of stoic tributes and sad tears, you clearly haven’t watched many Giants games over the past several decades. Before fans had even gotten into the ballpark, Krukow’s partner and best pal Duane Kuiper was pulling hijinks to lighten the mood ahead of his buddy’s last broadcast.
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After Krukow announced his plans to retire, the Giants have had a graphic of a smiling Krukow next to the phrase “Atta babe, Kruk” for all of September — a nod to one of the beloved announcer’s trademarks and a tasteful tribute. But to keep his partner’s ego in check, Kuiper added a little something extra. Early Sunday morning, Kuiper added a handmade stick figure self-portrait next to Krukow’s tribute, complete with emoticon head, “Kuip” caption, and “boiler” potbelly.
During the broadcast, Kuiper explained how he’d snuck down the field before the game and used a model and duct tape to complete his artwork.
Kruk’s sign on the right-field wall has some company 😂 https://t.co/SaRQf34MAj
— SF Giants on NBCS (@NBCSGiants) September 27, 2026
The gesture was clearly appreciated.
“I gotta tell you, it kind of took the edge off. I was coming here feeling a little melancholy today and that made me laugh hard. So, thank you, partner,” said Krukow.
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“Kinda sums up our relationship, doesn’t it,” replied Kuiper.
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There was plenty of fanfare leading up to Krukow’s final game on mic. Three of Krukow’s children sang the national anthem, Krukow’s No. 39 jerseys were seen throughout the ballpark, and the Giants announced after the first inning that the home booth had officially been dubbed the “Kruk and Kuip Broadcast Booth.”
Kuiper couldn’t help but get one last quip in.
“Next year, I’m gonna get a sharpie, and you know what that’s gonna say? Kuiper broadcast booth,” said Kuiper to howls of laughter from his partner.
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