Mike Krukow, one half of the best baseball broadcasting team in the biz, in a statement released today by the San Francisco Giants:

I just want to let everyone know that I will be retiring at the end of the season. I want to take this time to thank you for your incredible support. Jennifer and I have been so blessed to be able to stay in the game for as long as we have and it’s really made it impossible to feel sorry for myself that my career is coming to an end. We are bracing for the emotional hits we know we are going to feel in the next few weeks. Jennifer and I are wondering if it is even possible to let everyone know how deeply we love and respect our Giants family.

Our time together has been a gift. When Green Day asked, “I hope you’ve had the time of your lives,” we certainly have.

Thank you.

– Mike Krukow

(More: SFGate, NBC Sports Bay Area.)

I’ve been listening to Krukow and his broadcasting partner Duane Kuiper—“Kruk and Kuip”—call Giants games since I first landed in San Francisco twenty-eight years ago. Their love of the game quickly converted this die-hard New York Mets fan into a passionate Giants booster. Much of that can be attributed to Kruk’s colorful commentary during a game. Kruk is why I’m always primed to yell “Grab some pine, meat!”, why who’s “in the squaaaat!” is the only acceptable way to learn the Giants catcher for the game, and a got-away-with-it win remains a “ha-ha-ha-ha, laugher”. He’s also the reason I still bring my glove to the yard, no matter where I’m sitting.

Congrats, Kruk, on a stellar career. Giants baseball won’t be the same without you. Attababe.