SAN FRANCISCO -- Simply being nominated for the Ford C. Frick Award represented a triumph for Giants broadcaster Mike Krukow.
Krukow was among eight finalists named Monday to appear on the 2017 ballot for the award, which, according to the Hall of Fame, symbolizes "commitment to excellence, quality of broadcasting abilities, reverence within the game, popularity with fans, and recognition by peers."
Krukow said appearing on the ballot was a "win-win" for him, given his admiration of the other seven finalists.
"I'm very fond of everybody on that list," said Krukow, 64, whose Major League career spanned 14 seasons (1976-89).
Krukow reserved special praise for the Giants' broadcasting team, which includes his partner, Duane Kuiper; 2010 Frick Award winner Jon Miller; and the versatile Dave Flemming.
"I've always said it, and it's true -- I'm the fourth-best guy on our broadcast team," Krukow said. "Now I'm nominated for the Ford Frick. How does that even happen?"
Another finalist is the late Bill King, a San Francisco Bay Area legend whose career included 25 seasons (1981-2005) as the voice of the Oakland A's.
"To be on the same list with Bill King -- in the grand scheme of things I don't really feel like I'm worthy," Krukow said. "But that makes it special. ... It's just nice to be singled out and honored."
A 26-year veteran of Giants broadcasts, Krukow noted he's the lone color commentator on the ballot.
"I think that gradually you're going to start to see more and more guys who are analysts start to be considered," Krukow said. "And I'm really proud of that."
The other finalists are Gary Cohen, Jacques Doucet, Ken Harrelson, Pat Hughes, Ned Martin and Dewayne Staats. The winner of the 2017 Frick Award will be announced Dec. 7 at the Baseball Winter Meetings.
Final voting for the 2017 Frick Award will be conducted by an electorate comprised of the award's 13 living recipients and four broadcast historians or columnists.