SAN FRANCISCO — Mike Krukow has known all season that this would likely be the end, and he made it official in early August. He has had a long time to think about what goodbye might look like, and what he might want to do over his final weekend as a broadcaster at Oracle Park. The beginning of it was something he could not have scripted. Krukow visited the clubhouse on Friday afternoon to see some longtime friends, but right as he entered, he encountered relievers Jason Foley and Sam Hentges. It was an odd coincidence. The two offseason additions were available to the Giants because they were coming back from shoulder injuries, the ailment that ultimately ended Krukow’s career as a pitcher and led to a second life within baseball. There was no doubt that this would be the most emotionally exhausting weekend of Krukow’s life, but as it started, he was right in his comfort zone. He was in a clubhouse. He was talking pitching. He was giving the two advice on how to strengthen their shoulders, hoping it would help the Giants. Does it get any better than that?  Over the next three days, the Giants would get swept, but for Krukow, the rest of the send-off was perfect. The final weekend ended on the field, with an emotional and entertaining ceremony that was watched by thousands of fans who stayed long after the final out of a disappointing season. Kruk and longtime partner Duane Kuiper were given the keys to the city of San Francisco and told that the 27th plaque on the portwalk beyond right field will honor their final game together. Earlier in the weekend, former MLB umpire Ed Montague stunned Krukow with the scorecards from the first game ever played at Oracle Park. Kuiper was the final speaker before Krukow’s goodbye message, and he read from a long list of random things he will miss about his partner, including his mastery of menus, the rhino yawn, their time calling a popular video game, and their days spent roller blading.  “That’s right. I know. Look at us,” Kuiper said, grinning. “But there was a time when we were swishing around Chicago.” Kuiper noted that Krukow has been happy over these past two months, and that was in part because they were able to be together. A couple of weeks ago, Kuiper vowed to Krukow that he would not miss his final game despite ongoing treatment for throat cancer, and he held up his end of the bargain.  When it was his turn, Krukow led thousands in shouting the home run calls of the other Giants broadcasters, and he threw in a touching tribute to Greg Papa, who is going through his own health battles. He ran through a long list of references to Giants legends, with the loudest reaction coming when he noted that everyone wanted to “Let Timmy smoke.” Krukow then took some time to say thanks, not just to his broadcast partners and notable Giants like Bruce Bochy and Barry Bonds, but also to dozens who worked behind the scenes on TV, the radio and within the organization. He finished his speech by thanking the fan base and shouting a reference to the championship parades. “It is a privilege for all of us who ever played here to represent the city on the field, in the front office and in the broadcast booth,” he said, surrounded by his family. “As I sit here before you today, we can say one more time, ‘We are the Giants! We are San Francisco! And we will never forget you!’ Thank you!” The day ended with thunderous applause. Hours earlier, the first of more than a dozen standing ovations came after the first inning, when the broadcasters’ grandchildren gathered in front of the booth and revealed that it had been renamed the Kruk and Kuip Broadcast Booth. True to form, the two spent very little time celebrating.  Kuiper immediately joked that he was going to use a sharpie next season to rename it the Kuiper Broadcast Booth, and that led into a conversation about an Oracle Park alteration that he did make earlier in the morning. Just before 9 a.m., Kuiper walked through the left field gate as he always does, but he didn’t take his usual path past the home dugout and up to the third floor. He met Giants vice president of media relations Matt Chisholm on the outfield grass, and the two went out to right field to put up a stick figure version of Kuiper next to the “Atta Babe, Kruk!” sticker that’s been out there since he announced his retirement. Kuiper even added a round belly. Krukow admitted later that he was melancholy coming to the ballpark — until he saw the right field wall. “A stick figure with a boiler,” he said on the broadcast. “Oh my lord. That’s too good.” It was a light moment in a broadcast filled with them. There have been plenty of tears over the last six weeks, but the two got to go out with a close game, one that allowed them to analyze but also have quite a bit of fun. In the eighth, they showed that they’re as good as ever.  Christian Koss, the last man standing from the Opening Day roster, appeared to hit a go-ahead homer right down the left field line. Kuiper went into his home run call, but the Dodgers challenged, and as the video was pulled up, he quipped, “If that’s called foul, one of us is going to quit.” The replay officials in New York ruled it had hit the net just to the left of the pole, and Krukow exclaimed, “No way!” Kuiper astutely pointed out that third base coach Gary Pettis, who had the best view, had seen it all the way and was the only one on that side of the field who wasn’t upset.  The Giants were inches away from giving Krukow a thrilling sendoff. Instead, they ended their season in the only way they possibly could. Reliever Duncan Davitt allowed four runs in the ninth, adding one more bullpen meltdown to the pile. With a 5-1 loss, the Giants finished 65-97, the fourth-worst record in franchise history.  Krukow was the best player on the only 100-loss team the Giants have ever had, and over the past four decades he has seen the highest highs and lowest lows. On his way out, he focused on the title years and the dynasty, and made sure to let his partner know that the Kuiper Suite at the Krukow home in Reno will be well stocked with popcorn whenever he wants to visit.  “I love you, partner,” Krukow said to Kuiper. “Thank you.” Download and follow the Giants Talk Podcast This story uses functionality that may not work in our app. Click here to open the story in your web browser. ...read more read less