With the 2026 MLB season now beyond the halfway point, well-known San Francisco Giants broadcaster and Cal Poly Alumni Mike Krukow has announced his retirement. After over 30 years in the booth, the end of this Major League season will be his last as a broadcaster, but his time in the world of baseball has been much longer.
Growing up in the Los Angeles area, Krukow was a prominent catcher. He was drafted in the 32nd round by the Angels in the 1970 MLB draft, but decided to attend Cal Poly as a pitcher. To this day, he still holds the Cal Poly program record for lowest earned run average in a career (1.94) and is tied for the most shutouts in a season (5). Krukow played for three years in a Mustangs uniform before being drafted again.
Krukow began his major league career with the Chicago Cubs in 1976, playing five seasons with the team. He later became a prominent pitcher for the San Francisco Giants before retiring in 1990 and transitioning to broadcasting.
Before he was able to gain recognition in the booth, Cal Poly Athletics recognized him for his baseball career on the mound by inducting him into the Athletics Hall of Fame in 1987. Although Krukow himself didn’t grow up in San Luis Obispo, he and his family resided in SLO until 2014, and all five of his kids attended San Luis Obispo High School. Krukow regularly mentions his time in SLO during Giants broadcasts, showing his appreciation for the area.
Krukow is honored throughout the Cal Poly baseball clubhouse and was recently awarded an honorary doctorate at the 2026 Bailey College of Science and Mathematics ceremony.