Mike Krukow’s voice has long been part of the soundtrack of Giants baseball. And on KNBR this week, it carried something fans have been craving — reassurance.
In an exclusive conversation, the longtime broadcaster and former Giants pitcher discussed his ongoing battle with inclusion body myositis (IBM), a degenerative muscle disorder he’s publicly faced for nearly a decade. The update was cautiously optimistic.
“I’m stable,” Krukow said. “I’m getting stronger in ways that matter. We keep working.”
His approach sounds simple, but it echoes the way he pitched — methodical, competitive, relentless.
Doctors overseeing Krukow’s therapy confirmed that his condition has shown continued responsiveness to his current regimen. While IBM remains incurable, maintaining mobility and slowing deterioration are the chief battles. For Krukow, that fight takes place every morning in physical therapy.
“It’s part of the day,” he said on KNBR. “Like brushing teeth.”
Fans already know how deeply the voice matters — Krukow has been part of the booth for over 30 years, narrating championships, collapses, impossible comebacks, and the highwire tension of October baseball.
What makes this update resonate, though, is the vulnerability behind it.
He didn’t enter the discussion seeking spotlight. But listeners heard strength in his cadence — the familiar tone with the familiar humor — and felt relief.
“I could tell in his voice he’s still himself,” one fan wrote shortly after the segment aired.
Krukow also acknowledged the support that surrounds him. He thanked family members, his broadcast colleagues, and the Giants organization for their role in managing energy and workload. On KNBR, he noted how emotional it can be to see the sport he loves continuing to embrace him.
“I get to keep doing what I love,” he said.
In recent seasons, Giants broadcasts have adjusted — lighter travel, shared booth time, more balance — but fans haven’t cared about logistics. They simply want Krukow present.
That’s why the update mattered so much.
Giants baseball is as much emotion as outcome, and Krukow’s resilience mirrors the heart of a fan base familiar with grit, from 2010 to 2014 and beyond.
His story has become part of the club’s cultural identity. Giants fans have watched Madison Bumgarner shoulder burden, Buster Posey return from injury, and Tim Lincecum flame bright. Now, this quiet fight has become one more narrative thread.
Krukow didn’t frame it heroically. He framed it practically.
“I go and I do the work,” he said.
But the truth is — his voice, his persistence, and his optimism are part of what makes him beloved.
The baseball world loses legends in many ways: decline, fading visibility, changing eras. Hearing a positive update from Krukow reminded fans that resilience exists off the field too.
He’ll continue therapy. He’ll continue working broadcasts when his energy allows. And above all, he’ll continue showing up with the humor and warmth that made him iconic.
His diagnosis hasn’t changed. But his determination hasn’t either.
And if Giants fans learned anything over the years, it’s that Mike Krukow doesn’t stop competing — whether the battle is on the mound or within his own body.
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