Mike Krukow on the Giants' Young Talent, Roster Moves and Season Finish

0:00Tim Ryan here with your Bay Area team and Ford. Now get a California Explorer annual day use pass with your purchase or lease of a brand new Bronco or Bronco sport. It's got goat mode like your players driving to the game or off-roading. There's seven available modes. Ford is America's number one for new vehicle quality among mainstream brands. Visit your California Ford dealer today proud partner of California State Parks. Named by JD Power 2026 US Initial Quality Study Award. Information visit JDpower.com slash awards awards based on 2026 model year. There's no question we got the best in the prove. That's why Murph and Marcus catch up with crew right now right now on KNBR 104 by Vapet and six in the air. All right, we are treasuring our hits with Mike Kuko as this seasons winded down in the giant society. Start winning a few from Mike too. They got one last night, two to one featuring a rare closeout by a guy. Nobody knew his name was Joel Kuno and he closed out his seventh major league team. He was an A this

1:00year. He was a brewer. Bryce Elders left the yard. So did a little Christian cost and the giants made it a two to one win. landed Roup was outstanding with six innings of good ball. So lots to talk about Mike. Happy Wednesday. How are you? Morning Mike. Yeah, it couldn't be better. I mean, these last two games been exciting. One run games. They really hurt the Cardinals. And now I mean, they came in here figure they had a series that they could supposedly sweep and stay close to the Padres and the Diamondbacks and the National Wild Card, but it just hasn't happened that way. So they're it's a playoff game for them. I mean, they're going to come out the giants today with everything to have. I just think it's a great series. Yeah, it's a good old giants Cardinals rivalry and they've they've heard the cards. They really have. It's kind of fun. Landon Roup is a guy who, you know, as we look to 2027. I mean, you started doing that at the trade deadline with giants sold everybody. And he's a guy just continues to sort of make that bid to be in the 2027 starting rotation. I mean, we're at the point now where assuming there's baseball in 2027 that he's

2:03in ink in the rotation. Is he is are we at that point now where when we start talking in the office, you know, like, well, Roup's in the rotation and then you go from there. Oh, yeah, always. He's only getting better. I mean, in a last night, I mean, it's a guy with a different cat, man, yet we all sense how competitive he is. And we all sense as to how hard he is on himself. You know, for example, if he'll go into a game and he'll retire nine guys a row, then they'll get the fourth inning to walk the lead off hitter and he'll be still mad at himself. He just can't really he just can't let it go. And this has really really been something that he has learned this year. And he's trying now to be able to tell some of the emotion that he shows on the field like last night. He goes six shut out innings, gives up two hits and he's picked off because he walked four. And that that's just the way it is. That's like a guy goes out there and shoots 63 on a golf course and goes damn it. I left two shots out there. You know, it's like dude, you did well. I mean, you did well. You did your job. You gave your team a

3:08chance to win a yada things. Relax. We do. You know, Mike, I know we had to. Yeah, Mike, I was just going to jump in and say I know that we had you on the show yesterday and we talked about Bryce Ojrige, but he went deep again last night. His 16th home run of the season. He's currently on a 17 game hitting streak, which is the second longest and major league baseball. We all know about the power profile. But how impressed have you been with his ability to put the bat on the ball and also just get on base? Well, I think he's the whole package that's old, which is insane to say about a guy six, seven. He's just so unique. It's almost freakish. And the home run that he had last night was just brilliant. I mean, he, you know, he's sitting in a two to count against a lefty with really good stuff, strikeout stuff. And he gets a fastball that's cutting away from him above the belt. And he gets after backspins and over the wall and it's way over the wall. It's like eight rows back into the leachers. And you just don't see that. You just don't see a young guy

4:12with those type of skills. But he's got a great eye. I mean, you know, he is a guy we talk about his ability to hit the inside pitch at six seven is freakish. But, you know, to be able to hit the ball still that field the way that he does, it's 21. He hasn't even come close to his full power. I mean, it, you don't max out out to your 27, 20 years old. So it's kind of scary to think where this guy is going to be in six seven years. Like I said, the very first time I ever saw him was on a video when he was down at San Jose. And he hit this play to the left field, which, you know, you kind of half the ball. And usually it's just a lazy out to kind of a ball that kind of, you know, slices away from the left field. But, you know, he's a play over the wall. That's another thing going, who is this guy? A lot of little things like that that, you know, the guys have been around the game a long time. See and just kind of look each other and they don't say anything. Just kind of shake their head because it's not something you see every day. So what he's been able to do in a short

5:14period of time and how he's been able to do it is just remarkable. And it really excites you to look forward and do this future. He's going to have a special career. Tim Ryan here with your Bay Area team and four. Now get a California Explorer annual day use pass with your purchase or lease of a brand new Bronco or Bronco sport. It's got goat mode like your players driving to the game or off-roading. There's seven available modes. Ford is America's number one for new vehicle quality among mainstream brands. Visit your California Ford dealer today proud partner of California State Parks named by JD Power 2026 US Initial Quality Study Award. Information visit JDpower.com slash awards awards based on 2026 model year show button here football season is finally back and prize picks is bringing out their best offer yet new users who sign up will get $150 in lineups if you win your first $5 lineup. That's right if you win your first $5 lineup you'll get $150 in lineups. On prize picks you simply pick two to six players pick more or less on their

6:14staff projections and submit your lineup then sweat it out as you watch your picks play out live. It's the best way to get more locked in on game day. Make all the picks you want. This football season all in the same app also prize picks is going crazy with the deals to start the football season giving users a new promo every day during stack September and now prize picks is available nation-wide. So what are you waiting for? Lock in for kickoff because everyone and everything is on prize picks. What you want? Download the app today and use code at large to get $150 instantly in lineups if you win your first $5 lineup. prize picks run your game. This episode sponsored by Good Ranchers. Most people don't realize this but over 85% of the grass-fed beef sold in the US is actually imported from overseas. It's a system that often pushes out American farmers and ranchers. That's why it matters to be intentional about where you buy your meat. That's why I choose Good Ranchers. Good ranchers connects you directly with local American

7:15farms and ranches. 100% American meat, pasture raised, no antibiotics, no added hormones, delivered straight to your door. Make the switch to better meat. Go to goodranchors.com to start your plan and get premium American meat delivered right to your door. That's goodranchors.com. American meat delivered. Man, oh man, 16 homers at age 21 and I don't know, get hot, get hit 20. That'd be amazing. Mike Krueck goes to voice here day baseball today at the park 1245, 1145 pre-games. John's trying to sweep the guardles and going to end their season as they were they were vying for a wild card when they arrived in town. They've lost two games in the standings since they've been here. Mike Susan Sleser has a story this morning about just you know, the cast of characters that we're seeing and they made two more moves yesterday. People didn't even notice it. Infield or Brett Harris got picked up off of waivers, a reliever named Philip Abner, a lefty got added. And when they make their debuts, they'll tie the franchise record of 66 players used in a season

8:18that Farhan Zidey did in 2022. What's it been like for you? I mean, it's you know, it's it gets confusing for like the guy who closed it last night, Joel Kunl. Cool and all. I had to look him up. It's his seventh team. They just picked him up a few days ago. He's with the a's this year, the brewers this year. Got a heck of a look too. Looks like a working man. But what's it like for you to watch all these different faces come through? I mean, do you guys lose track? No, but and we certainly don't lose interest because the people that they're bringing in, I mean, you immediately see a story like him. I mean, if you look at Kunl, you look at the stuff that he has and he's got five different pitches. I mean, he spent some time as a starter in his life and he understands it fast. Well, he's got a slider. He's got to change up a cutter. I mean, he's got weapons and he's throwing him at a high velocity. So, I mean, you look at him and you wonder, well, why did he bounce around? Well, it has to get back consistency. And so there in lies the challenge. If you take on a guy who has kind of bounced around with great stuff,

9:21to be able to give him the mechanics that allow him to command his pitches. Because you know, you're sitting in the 70s and that is the that is the area of the game where if you're if you dare to go out there as a bullpener, you have to be perfect. I mean, that's just the deal. And it's yeah, it's one of the toughest jobs in all the sport. It's like being a goalie and a hockey, being a you have one goal and you're in nice ruins. Well, that's the same thing with the relief picture. You give up one hit and it could cost you a ball game. So you have to be perfect. So you have to be able to not only have great stuff, but you have to be able to command it. And as Kunal goes forth, I mean, that's going to be his challenge to be able to throw that high velocity, that high quality and not make mistakes when you're ahead of the count in the middle of the strike zone. But yet, don't nibble and don't walk anybody. You take a look at what you have to be able to do to be successful in those roles. It's insane. But I think he has to stop to do it. And you know,

10:26more importantly, he does. And that's what's so cool about about where he is right now in his career. He's not happy with his career. He thinks there's a lot more in there. So do the giants. Few more minutes here with Mike Kruko and the umigast on this morning and Mike following up on yesterday's interview. What was your reaction to seeing your face in the out of babe logo on the right foot wall for the first time in person? Well, we're having, well, it's cool. And we're definitely having fun with it. I mean, you know, I've kind of got my sea legs now. The emotion of the announcement initially and the response has been overwhelming and and just it's been beautiful. And so now it's fun to have something on the wall that I mean, that's fun. And Kyve said he's going to go out there and he's going to have a stick bigger that he's going to paint next to it. And I said, that's great. I want to see it. I'll stick bigger with a boiler. And so you know, it's you got to find some levity when it's been as emotional as it has been. And so it was fun. It's fun to see it. My family sure does. Yeah. And Mike, I'm not sure if your

11:29face is going to be not only on the right-filled wall, but maybe a beer can coming soon. If not your face, I know one of your catchphrases. I saw field work announced this morning that they're going to release a grab some Pine Meat West Coast IPA. Your thoughts and your reaction of having your own West Coast IPA named after you. Well, very cool. I mean, I've been a fan of field work for a long time. And I mean, it's it's just cool. I mean, it's fun. There's another thing that's fun. And what they did, what what was very cool is that there's a portion of the beer that they sell is going to go to the Northern Nevada Children's Cancer Foundation, which is a a charity that Jennifer and I have to support and believe in. And I get a call from the director about days ago. And she said, I just got a check from field works for $20,000. I said, what? They have even released the beer yet. Wow. And it was it was great because this is the September's Children's Cancer Month. And the Northern Nevada Children's Cancer Foundation, any donation that comes in the month of

12:33September, it gets met. They match it. It gets doubled. So that $20,000 becomes $40,000. And so it was everything about it. It's very cool. And I have a taste of it yet, but I'm really looking forward to it. No, I can't wait. I make good one today. It's a day game. It's grab some Pine Meat, a black and orange can, all of it donating to the Northern Nevada Children's Cancer Awareness Foundation. And this is awesome. It's got the microphone with number 39 on it. So all props to field work for doing the right thing. It's making me thirsty. Right. Frankly, I'm drinking some coffee Mike, but I might have to switch to a grab some. I think it's time. I think you gotta get it after. Let's go. As we look around to about last night, a little Christian cost hit his fourth run. And you know, he's in one of those guys. What a soldier. He's been on the TV last couple of years. He can't weigh about about a 45 so can what? And he's now hit three homers in the last week. You know, he's been stuck at shortstop because of the Willie Adama's injury. I don't know, you know, he's not perfect there. Sometimes the arm doesn't always measure up, but just use who watched

13:37this guy grind with his eye black and his skinny frame. And he hits a bomb last night. Mike, what do you, what are you seeing? I mean, the kids numbers aren't awesome. But what do you see when you see this kid just as he continues to fight for his major league career? I can't reach a really a story that I love when he first came into the big leagues. And you know, he was wanting to do anything he could possibly do to help the team. And at the time, he wasn't a starting shortstop. And he was a good looking young ball player that everybody felt had a future. But, you know, there was a time in his career when he was asked to go down a warm guy's up a candlestick. And he did. He popped out of the dugout with a pair of shin guards. I went down there and was absolutely miserable and scared. And yet he didn't ever complain. And he always took the job. And I love that about a player that would basically do anything to stay here at the big league level. And that to find a really at that point in his career. And we know the career that he had. And and it certainly defines Christian cost. I mean, he's that guy. He can play anywhere. He will do

14:40anything. I mean, he's a get there early leave late guy. And I think he is a good shortstop. I think you know his feet and his release times. I mean, he's so quick to the to get rid of the ball and and he just mark. I think that's his edge. I think his brain is what really has allowed him to get here and and then carve out a little niche. And it's so cool to see him do something great too. Like a home run or a great play. It happened in last night's game. I mean, it's the home run. And he gets back to the dugout and he's got the greatest smile. He can't. He cannot hold it back. It's as big as he could possibly give you. And he did the same thing on a one hop bullet in the night. Been in that was hit underneath miles per hour. And it was a short hop that he had to spear to a to a backhand. And it was just a great play. And afterwards, you got it and looked over and permanent second base. And he breaks into this great grin. And I love guys that, you know, when they have success, they don't try and mask it and be too cool. And they open up their feelings. And he's that type of player. So anytime he does something good, we applaud. Tim Ryan here with your Bay Area team and four. Now get a California explorer annual day use pass

15:43with your purchase or lease of a brand new Bronco or Bronco sport. It's got goat mode like your players driving to the game or off roading. There's seven available modes. Ford is America's number one for new vehicle quality among mainstream brands. Visit your California Ford dealer today. Proud partner of California State Parks named by JD Power 2026 US Initial Quality Study Award. Information visit JDpower.com slash awards awards based on 2026 model year. Show button here. Football season is finally back. And prize picks is bringing out the best offer yet. New users who sign up will get $150 in lineups if you win your first $5 lineup. That's right. If you win your first $5 lineup, you'll get $150 in lineups. On prize picks, you simply pick two to six players, pick more or less on their stat projections and submit your lineup. Then sweat it out as you watch your picks play out live. It's the best way to get more locked in on game day. Make all the picks you want. This football season, all in the same app. Also, prize picks is going crazy with the deals to start the football season,

16:46giving users a new promo every day during stack September. And now, prize picks is available nationwide. So what are you waiting for? Lock in for kickoff because everyone and everything is on prize picks. What you want? Download the app today and use Co-Add large to get $150 instantly in lineups if you win your first $5 lineup. Prize picks, run your game. This episode sponsored by Good Ranchers. Most people don't realize this, but over 85% of the grass-fed beef sold in the US is actually imported from overseas. It's a system that often pushes out American farmers and ranchers. That's why it matters to be intentional about where you buy your meat. That's why I choose Good Ranchers. Good ranchers connects you directly with local American farms and ranches. 100% American meat, pasture raised, no antibiotics, no added hormones, delivered straight to your door. Make the switch to better meat. Go to GoodRanchers.com to start your plan and get premium American meat delivered right to your door. That's GoodRanchers.com. American

17:52meat delivered. You definitely out there grinding. You are 100% correct. Just kind of enrapping it up, Mike, as they go for the sweep today. They're first three games in a row sweep. They're trying. And we sort of alluded to it at the start, but I wanted to circle back. It's the giants and the Cardinals. I think of you. And to know that the Cardinals came in here only four out in the wild card and thinking they could make some hay against a bad giants team and to get knocked back two games in the standing. I'm wondering at any point today, are you going to look up at the sky and say Rest in Peace? Of course, we lost him in 2024, but take that. Why do you hurt Zog? Come on. We got to, we got to keep the rivalry alive, Mike. Oh, it's alive. Don't worry. It's alive. I mean, I think it intensifies with both teams are going down the stretch trying to get to the playoffs. But every bit of the intensity and you know, the giants are in a spoiler role right now. And if the role was reversed, the Cardinals would be doing the exact same things that the giants are doing. They'd be coming at the giants hard to try and ruin the party. And that's the goal right now. And it's a tip of the cap to what he heard. You know, I tell you why because

18:55I made one all-star team in my life. I've pissed for 13 years of the big league level and I made one all-star game. And what he heard, Zog was the guy that took me. And so I'll always give him a tip of the cap because of what he did for me and my family because that, you know, what you get, you get a one all-star game. You're that's it. That's how they introduce you. A former all-star Mike Rukov and it's a great handle. And why did he do that's because they won the 85, they won the National League and say he was the manager. But then you guys had the dust up with them when Roger and him were shoving each other, the hum baby and him were shoving each other behind home plate. That was after that. You had to kind of say, all right, why do you now are you the enemy, right? I had no problem with that at all. No, he was really cocky. I mean, he was really cocky. He'd go into his club and he'd be walking through the clubhouse and then the Cardinals were, you know, they had run a seven-game losing streak or something. Even when they were they were good and he'd walk by and he'd openly say, all right, well, at least if you're going to lose ball games, let's do it

19:59quickly. Let's go. You know, he had a perspective that even in the times that we're a bit stressful within the clubhouse, he was trying to wait to get guys to laugh. And here's something as ridiculous as that coming from a manager. You do have to laugh at that. So everything I ever heard about the guy I would love to play for everything he did. And the last one for me is that we're going to play this in our, we have the segment called the cooler of content. We play the audio from around the world. One of our all-time favorite human beings is Raymond Ritter, Golden State Warriors, who is just the best in the world at what he does, which is media relations, community relations, team relations. And he, even though he's warriors and Steph Curry and all that, he loves sports and baseball and you and he shared with me and he's, he grew up in Wichita, Kansas, where you pitched your triple A baseball. He went to the Wichita arrows stadium where you played and filmed a video on the picture's mount. We're actually going to play it for you in 815 and did a tribute to you and and then came to the booth yesterday and gave you a Wichita arrows t-shirt. Mike, that's got to be among the most special tributes that you got. What a, what a memory and what a thoughtful gesture by

21:03Raymond. Oh, it was unbelievable. I just get this random video, right? And, and here I see Raymond, you know, he's standing on a mound. I don't know why he's sad. And then all of a sudden he tells me this story. Now, he was a kid when I was playing there and it was really a wonderful story, but he's standing on the mound at Lawrence Stadium in Wichita and, and none of that, but he's going, I was here and I, I was there and in Rob Sparing and Dave Rosello and Ron Dunn and Gene Heiser and your teammates Bruce Sutter and Dennis Lap and he's he's rattling off the whole team, right? And he had my stats and and it was it was such a cool thing and it was so random. I just, I loved it. And, and the whole time he did it, he had on a t-shirt that said, Wichita arrows on it. And I'm thinking, where the hell did he get that? Well, lo and behold, he shows up the booth yesterday and he gives me a gift and it's in a bag and open it up and he hears one of those t-shirts. I slept in it last night. Oh my god. I mean, you know, minor league memories are so cool and for a guy who was a kid

22:09when you were playing and and and he liked you and his just family liked you and it just was, it was meaningful and and I loved it. Oh, it was, I loved it to death too and he had yours, like you said, the stats and and then what a memory man and a young Mike and seven what what was life like in Wichita Kansas in 1976? Well, I mean, we got a triple a ball and it was, you know, I mean, a triple A, you're a hang-nell away from the big leagues. Somebody in the rotation, the big leagues goes down with a sore anything, you're there. So if you get out to a good start, you're in the rotation and you're, you know, you're you're making a bit of a name for yourself there. You're in consideration to the big leagues. And remember, that's back the time when you're making a deal with God every day, please let me just throw one pitch so my dad could say I was a big wager. I mean, that's what you're saying, right? So you're close and you know, we didn't we didn't finish above 500. I mean, I was lucky. I made an off-start team

23:11that year and you know, it was a good season for me and and but when the season ended, they took up two guys. They took up Donnie Moore and Jerry Tap. That was it. And so Jennifer and I got bypassed and so we took our time getting back to California and we drove through the stepped-off and asked them. Jennifer had a friend there and we spent the night there and then, you know, we just took our time. And anyway, this is before cell phones. So we're driving back into San Gabriel where I live and we're going down the street and as we're going down the street, I see my mom in the driveway and she's literally doing jumping jacks. And so we pull up and she says, you got to call from the Southeast Saltwell. The general manager of the Cubs, they want you into Chicago tomorrow. You got to call them. You got to call them. She was so excited. And that was it. I mean, I called it the Southeast Saltwell and he says, we're bringing you into the big leagues. And that was it. The next day, I was in the big leagues making a debut and that's how it

24:11happened. So which car a huge step along the way and it really gave me a great confidence. But I love playing there. But it's the heartland and, you know, it's just in the ballpark or cherished. And I was I was really happy. I got a chance to play in Lawrence, Lawrence Stadium because it was a good yard. Man, what a great story. The fact that we got Salty Saltwell. So I just googled him. They said they were angry at his Don Kessinger from Mike Garmin trade and getting rid of Andre Thornton to the Xbox. These were all controversial trades. I saw T saltwell, Mike. Yeah, but I did him in. I mean, the only reason he managed to stick around for a few more days is that he brought me to the big leagues. That's what I would all tell my dad. He also traded a bill Madlock to the Giants for Bobby Mercer, Steve on a Verus and Andy Moultz. Wow. What a great story. Oh, I got well, Raymond is Raymond does the most thoughtful things for people all the time. The fact that he did it for you in Wichita, Kansas. So we're going to show it at at 815. He gave us the video. So all these tributes, Mike, turns out some people love you, buddy. So soak it in and and then have a great call today and we'll talk to you Friday.

25:16I bet Mike Cooco the best on these sports leader Tim Ryan here with your Bay Area team and Ford. Now get a California Explorer annual day use pass with your purchase or lease of a brand new Bronco or Bronco sport. It's got goat mode like your players driving to the game or off-roading. There's seven available modes. Ford is America's number one for new vehicle quality among mainstream brands. Visit your California Ford dealer today proud partner of California State Parks. Name by JD Power 2026 US Initial Quality Study Award. Information visit JDpower.com slash awards awards based on 2026 model year.