San Francisco Giants fans won’t be hearing as much from Duane Kuiper on NBC Sports Bay Area this summer. The broadcaster announced this week he is undergoing chemotherapy for a recently discovered medical condition. The Giants released a statement describing Kuiper as an entrenched member of the team but that he may need to scale back his appearances to accommodate the treatment.
“I wanted to let you know that I may be missing a few more Giants broadcasts than usual, and I wanted to share what’s going on with me,” Kuiper said in the statement. “After some tests and visits with doctors, I was diagnosed with a medical condition that requires me to immediately begin chemotherapy treatment. 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.
“And, of course, the support and love of my entire family, along with our incredible fans, everyone at the Giants, NBC Sports Bay Area, and KNBR is overwhelming and deeply appreciated. I still plan on broadcasting this season, though I may take a few more games off if I’m not feeling well and I want to thank my broadcast partners for their unconditional support and willingness to step in and cover for me. Thank you for your prayers and for giving me the space and privacy to focus on my health at this time. While this was not the adventure I anticipated, I’m staying positive for a quick and full recovery.”
Duane Kuiper, 71, has been synonymous with Giants baseball this century. He and Mike Krukow are in their 31st season broadcasting Giants games together. Kuiper played 12 years in the big leagues, including a four-year stint with the Giants. The Giants released their own statement sending love to Kuiper.
“The entire Giants Family sends our love and support to Duane and his family during this challenging time,” the organization said. “We know we speak for Giants fans everywhere in offering our prayers for a safe, speedy, and full recovery.”