Kuiper’s condition may force absences
Broadcaster, 70, will receive chemotherapy
Giants broadcaster Duane Kuiper announced Monday that he “may be missing a few more Giants broadcasts than usual” after a diagnosis that will require the broadcasting veteran to begin chemotherapy treatments.
Kuiper, who will turn 71 this month, did not announce a specific medical diagnosis, but in a statement released through the club, he explained that future absences on Giants broadcasts would be related to his health condition.
“I still plan on broadcasting this season, though I may take a few more games off if I’m not feeling well,” Kuiper wrote.
“I feel very fortunate that I have an incredibly talented team of doctors and healthcare specialists who will be assisting me through my treatment plan. And of course, the support and love of my entire family, along with our incredible fans, everyone at the Giants, NBC Sports Bay Area and KNBR is overwhelmingly and deeply appreciated.”
Kuiper began broadcasting Giants games immediately following the end of his playing career in 1986 and worked in San Francisco’s organization through 1992. After spending the 1993 season in the Colorado Rockies’ booth, Kuiper returned to the Giants
and has been one of the most celebrated voices in baseball since.
Kuiper’s chemistry with Giants color commentator Mike Krukow is one of the signature elements of team broadcasts as the duo has worked together for more than three decades. Their run is one of the longest of any pair in MLB broadcasting history and both have indicated in recent years they would like to continue broadcasting Giants games as long as it remains feasible to do so.
Krukow, 69, has worked a reduced schedule for the last few years because of a progressive muscle disease known as Inclusion body myositis.
The Giants have three rotating play-by-play voices; Kuiper, Dave Flemming, and Hall of Famer Jon Miller. In addition to Krukow, the Giants have employed several other former players as color commentators this season including Randy Winn, Shawn Estes and Javier Lopez.
“The entire Giants Family sends our love and support to Duane and his family during this challenging time,” the organization said in a statement. “We know we speak for Giants fans everywhere in offering our prayers for a safe, speedy and full recovery.”