Latest News: San Francisco Giants Announce Bronze Statue of Legendary Kruk & Kuip Outside Oracle Park Stadium
In a heartfelt and historic gesture, the San Francisco Giants have announced the creation of a bronze statue honoring two of the franchiseโs most beloved and enduring figures โ Duane Kuiper and Mike Krukow, affectionately known to millions of fans as โKruk & Kuip.โ The statue will be installed outside Oracle Park, the teamโs iconic bayside home, and is already being hailed as a fitting tribute to the broadcasting duo whose voices have narrated the Giantsโ modern era for decades.
This announcement, made at a special press event at Oracle Park on Thursday morning, was accompanied by an outpouring of cheers from fans, players, and alumni alike. For more than three decades, Krukow and Kuiper have served as the soundtrack of Giants baseball. Their unmistakable chemistry, humor, and authentic love for the game have transcended simple play-by-play commentary, making them cultural icons in San Francisco and beyond.
A Legacy Beyond the Broadcast Booth
Duane Kuiper and Mike Krukow first entered the booth together in 1993, just as the Giants were navigating a transitional period in the franchiseโs history. The pair quickly developed a rapport that resonated with fans who craved not only insightful baseball analysis but also warmth and relatability. Krukow, a former Giants pitcher with a 20-win season to his name, brought an insiderโs eye and jovial wit to every broadcast. Kuiper, a former infielder and steady voice, offered calm professionalism and self-deprecating humor.
Together, โKruk & Kuipโ became more than broadcasters โ they became companions to Giants fans, narrating everything from the agony of near-miss seasons to the ecstasy of three World Series championships in 2010, 2012, and 2014. Their catchphrases, playful banter, and sincere appreciation for Giants baseball made them part of the daily rhythm of the Bay Area sports community.
Details of the Statue
The new bronze statue will depict Krukow and Kuiper seated side by side at a broadcast desk, microphones in hand, smiling as if calling another unforgettable Giants moment. According to the artist commissioned for the project, the piece will stand approximately eight feet tall on a polished granite base inscribed with the duoโs famous sayings, including โGrab some pine, meat!โ and โThat ball is outta here!โ
Located just outside the Willie Mays Gate, the statue will be impossible to miss for fans arriving on game day. Team officials say the placement was intentional โ a symbolic nod to the duoโs role as the โfront doorโ to Giants baseball for countless listeners and viewers. In addition to the statue, a small plaza will feature video screens playing highlights of Kruk & Kuipโs most memorable calls and a timeline of their broadcasting careers.
Fansโ Reactions
Within minutes of the announcement, social media lit up with praise and nostalgia. โKruk & Kuip are the soundtrack of my summers,โ wrote one lifelong Giants fan on X (formerly Twitter). โThis statue is long overdue.โ Another commented, โI grew up listening to these guys with my dad. This is going to be an emotional moment when we see it unveiled.โ
At Oracle Park, a group of season-ticket holders gathered spontaneously near the site of the future statue, taking selfies and reminiscing about their favorite broadcasts. The prevailing sentiment was that the Giants had finally found a way to immortalize the two men who helped make baseball personal for generations of Bay Area families.
Kruk & Kuip Respond
Both broadcasters, visibly moved at the press conference, expressed gratitude and disbelief. โWeโve spent our careers talking about Giants legends,โ Kuiper said, โand never imagined weโd be honored alongside them.โ Krukow added with his signature humor, โI just hope they make my hair look as good in bronze as it does on TV.โ
The duoโs humility underscores why the honor resonates so deeply with fans. Unlike statues of great players or executives, which celebrate individual achievements, this tribute recognizes the emotional glue that binds a fan base together: the shared voices, stories, and laughter that define the experience of following a team year after year.
Broader Significance for the Giants
This statue also marks an evolution in how teams celebrate their history. The Giants already boast an impressive lineup of statues honoring on-field legends such as Willie Mays, Willie McCovey, Juan Marichal, Orlando Cepeda, and Gaylord Perry. By adding broadcasters to that list, the organization acknowledges that the fan experience extends beyond the diamond.
Team President and CEO Larry Baer emphasized this point in his remarks: โBaseball is about connection. Itโs about the memories made in the stands and in living rooms across the Bay Area. Kruk & Kuip have been the bridge between the field and the fans for more than 30 years. This statue is our way of saying thank you.โ
Looking Ahead
The unveiling ceremony is scheduled for Opening Day next season, with a special pre-game celebration planned. Giants alumni, former broadcasters, and community leaders are expected to attend, and fans will be invited to share their own Kruk & Kuip stories on a digital memory wall. Limited-edition commemorative pins and posters featuring the statue design will also be available, with proceeds benefiting Bay Area youth baseball programs โ a cause both broadcasters have championed for years.
As the Giants prepare for another season on the field, the announcement of the Kruk & Kuip statue serves as a reminder that some of the teamโs most enduring heroes never swing a bat or throw a pitch. Instead, they sit high above the action, microphones in hand, weaving the game into the fabric of Bay Area life.
For fans walking into Oracle Park on Opening Day, seeing the bronze likeness of two familiar friends will be more than a photo opportunity. It will be a moment to pause and appreciate the voices that have carried them through the highs and lows of Giants baseball, creating memories as timeless as any pennant or trophy.
In a city steeped in sports tradition, the Kruk & Kuip statue promises to be not only a landmark but also a touchstone โ a place where fans can gather, reminisce, and pass on the stories of Giants baseball to the next generation. And much like the broadcasts themselves, it will stand as a testament to the enduring bond between a team, its voices, and its fans.