Legendary broadcaster and former big-league participant Bob Uecker died on Thursday at age 90, the Milwaukee Brewers introduced. He had been battling small cell lung most cancers since early 2023, his household revealed.
“It’s with heavy hearts that we mourn the passing of Bob. To many, he was an announcer and entertainer whose humor and voice transcended the sport, however to us he was a lot extra,” his household stated in a press release.
“He introduced pleasure to numerous listeners by his wit, charisma, and love for baseball, Milwaukee, and all of Wisconsin, making a legacy that may endlessly be cherished. Whereas his contributions to the sport are noteworthy, it’s his kindness, humility, and love for household and mates that we are going to maintain closest to our hearts. We’re grateful for the outpouring of affection and assist throughout this troublesome time as we grieve and have fun the person we have been so fortunate to name ours.”
Uecker, it must be famous, was a big-league participant nicely earlier than he turned a character. He debuted through the 1962 season, showing in 33 video games with the then-Milwaukee Braves. He would go on to make 297 profession appearances, hitting .200/.293/.287 with 14 house runs. Uecker gained a World Collection ring as a member of the 1964 St. Louis Cardinals whereas, coincidentally, serving as Tim McCarver’s backup. (The late McCarver would go on to get pleasure from his personal broadcasting profession.)
After retiring, Uecker would discover himself working in baseball and leisure alike. He made severall appearances a yr on Johnny Carson’s “The Tonight Present,” and was employed by future MLB commissioner Bud Selig as a scout for the Brewers. “Worst scout I ever had,” Selig later joked. “We despatched him as much as the Northern League, and the subsequent factor I do know (basic supervisor) Frank Lane comes raging into my workplace asking what sort of scout I employed. The report was smeared with gravy and mashed potatoes.”
Uecker finally transitioned to the sales space, spending greater than 50 years calling video games for Milwaukee. He turned identified for, amongst different issues, his self-deprecating humor. He as soon as recounted a tryout he had as a pitcher with the Braves: “Rapidly, [pitching coach Johnny] Cooney says, ‘All proper, now let me see your good fastball.’ I stated, ‘I’ve been throwing my good fastball!’ And he says, ‘Properly, then I like to recommend you get a job.'”
Uecker would later say of the contract he inked with the Braves that included a $3,000 signing bonus: “That bothered my dad on the time as a result of he did not have that type of dough, however he finally scraped it up.”
Uecker was inducted into the Baseball Corridor of Fame in 2003 after profitable the Ford C. Frick Award, which yearly honors a broadcaster who made “main contributions to baseball.” The Brewers have since put in a statue of Uecker at American Household Subject in Milwaukee. “I am unable to consider a greater place to place it,” he stated. “It is nice for the followers and even higher for the pigeons.”
Milwaukee launched a press release Thursday morning, calling Uecker “the sunshine of the Brewers” and “the soundtrack of our summers.” Here is the assertion in full:
“At present we tackle the heaviest of burdens. At present, we are saying goodbye to our beloved good friend, Bob Uecker.
Ueck was the sunshine of the Brewers, the soundtrack of our summers, the laughter in our hearts, and his passing is a profound loss. He was the guts and soul of Wisconsin and a pricey good friend. Bob liked individuals; his presence warmed each room and he had a method of welcoming all of us into his world as if we have been lifelong mates.
Saying goodbye to Bob shakes us all. He was a lot greater than a Milwaukee Brewers icon. He was a nationwide treasure. Bob entertained us along with his phrases and storytelling, so it’s no shock that his passing now leaves us at a loss for our personal phrases.
There isn’t any describing the affect Ueck had on so many, and no phrases for the way a lot he was liked. We’re left with an enormous void in our hearts, but additionally bear in mind the laughter and pleasure he dropped at our lives.”
“It is particular each time he is round. You should not take it without any consideration,” Brewers star Christian Yelich stated of Uecker in October. “He means quite a bit to this place. Anyone that is spent any period of time right here is aware of how particular Bob is.”
Uecker was additionally broadly identified for his fictional position within the broadcast sales space, as he performed Cleveland announcer Harry Doyle within the 1989 baseball comedy “Main League” and its two sequels.
