SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) -- It's the end of an era for the San Francisco Giants. On Sunday, the team and fans will say goodbye to iconic broadcaster Mike Krukow. In 2014, Krukow revealed he suffers from a degenerative muscle disease that causes progressive weakness, and in August he announced his retir ement. Giants to honor World Series heroes: A look back at franchise legends Broadcaster Mike Krukow speaks during a remembrance ceremony for former San Francisco Giants player Orlando Cepeda before a baseball game between the Giants and the San Diego Padres in San Francisco, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) The 74-year-old has been a color commentator for the Giants since 1990, but his ties to the city and the organization go back much further. He joined the Giants as a starting pitcher in 1983 after stints with the Chicago Cubs and Philadelphia Phillies. Krukow spent seven seasons in the orange and black and had the best year of his career in 1986 when he won 20 games and was named to the National League All-Star team. San Francisco Giants pitcher Mike Krukow lets out a yell and celebrates his 4-2 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals at Candlestick Park, Friday, Oct. 10, 1987 in San Francisco, to tie up the League Championship Series at two games each. Krukow went the distance, allowing nine hits and two earned runs with three strikeouts. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi) He would retire after the 1989 season and step into the broadcast booth a year later. There, he would be joined by his former teammate and friend Duane Kuiper, and they would affectionately become known as "Kruk and Kuip." "If you don't have great announcers, it just spoils the whole thing. And those guys just made everything better for years and years," said former San Francisco Chronicle sportswriter Scott Ostler. Broadcasters Duane Kuiper, left, and Mike Krukow speak before a baseball game between the San Francisco Giants and the Detroit Tigers, Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) In his more than 30 years behind the microphone, Krukow endeared himself to fans with his iconic catchphrases such as "Grab some pine meat," "Atta babe," "In the squaaaaat doing the catching" and "Just another ha ha ha ha ha ha… laugher." Krukow is also known for his passion, not only for the Giants, but for baseball, the city and the fans. "You know how Santa Claus is the spirit of Christmas? Mike Krukow is kind of the spirit of Bay Area baseball to me," Ostler added. "Ballplayers come and go. No ballplayer is going to play for 30 years. But broadcasters not only are there and are more present in your life, the franchise, but also, you know, they play a really pivotal role in the fans' lives because they feel like they're almost family," Giants President and CEO Larry Baer told KRON4. "We're really going to miss him, and especially the Giants fans. He's been the soundtrack along with the other Giants broadcasters and a great pairing with Kuip," longtime A's broadcaster Ken Korach said of Krukow. "And on a personal level, I always look forward to the games when the A's played the Giants just to spend time with Mike because he's one of the all-time great people." Steph Curry makes appearance at Oakland elementary school FILE - San Francisco Giants broadcasters Mike Krukow, left, and Duane Kuiper walk on the field before Game 1 of a baseball National League Division Series between the Giants and the Los Angeles Dodgers, Oct. 8, 2021, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn, File) On Sunday, the Giants will honor Krukow in a ceremony after the game. "It will be Mike Krukow Day, and it's the last game of the season, so there's a lot of other things going on, but it's going to be overwhelmed by Mike," Baer said of Sunday's game. Special surprise guests are also expected throughout the game. But before fans have the chance to say goodbye, those who know Krukow are offering a message of thanks. "I would like to just thank Mike for being such an inspiration to me personally, not only with his courage, but his love of the game, his love of people, his graciousness, and just what a wonderful person he's been," Korach told KRON4. "I would just say Kruk, thanks man. You've been a great friend and a great companion, both on the air and off and we will all appreciate it," praised Ostler. "I would just like to say, and this is on behalf of Kruk, the outpouring of love from fans, either through emails, or through phone calls, or through ballpark shout-outs have been so overwhelming, and the Krukow family is just incredibly moved, as is the Giants family," said Baer. "Thank you to the fans who have given Mike a big hug for his 44 years as a Giant," Baer added. First pitch for Sunday's game is set for 12:05 p.m. against the Los Angeles Dodgers. ...read more read less