Mike Krukow had no idea his longtime broadcast partner was returning to the booth after a medical absence, but Duane Kuiper got his friend good Saturday night.
Giants fans got great news just before the first pitch against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday night.
Duane Kuiper returned to the broadcast booth after more than six weeks away while he underwent chemotherapy for a medical condition that was discovered recently.
For the first time since June 6, Kuip and his longtime broadcast partner Mike Krukow were together in the booth to call a Giants game.
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SIGN UP HERE It was an emotional moment for everyone involved and everyone watching at home.
When NBC Sports Bay Area's Greg Papa told Kuiper on "Giants Pregame Live" that everyone missed him, the longtime broadcaster responded in the best way possible ... with humor.
"Hey, I missed me. Sorry," Kuiper said. "Sitting on that couch after a while, my wife is so happy that I walked out of the house today, where she gets six hours where she doesn't have to worry about me tripping or falling or what I'm going to eat or what's going on. Anyway, I'm thrilled to be back and the one thing I definitely learned while I was gone, for whatever it was, two months or so, is how much I appreciate my partners because I got a chance to watch them for all those games, and I certainly do appreciate them."
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Krukow was pretty excited to have his friend back by his side.
"We missed him. And we got him back," Krukow said.
Kuiper's return to the booth was a complete surprise, and not even Krukow was aware it would happen Saturday.
"What a buffoon," Krukow said. "I'm the only guy in the Bay Area who doesn't know he's coming back. Yeah, he got me good. It was a sight for sore eyes."
Kuiper surprised an unsuspecting Krukow before Saturday's game between the Giants and Pirates.
RELATED: Kuiper reflects on "heartwarming" support
On June 7, Kuiper announced in a statement that he would be missing several games to address a medical condition.
"After some tests and visits with doctors, I was diagnosed with a medical condition that requires me to immediately begin chemotherapy treatment," Kuiper wrote. "I feel very fortunate that I have an incredibly talented team of doctors and healthcare specialists who will be assisting me throughout my treatment plan."
Kuiper turned 71 in June and has been working alongside Krukow for 31 years.
