Bob Uecker, Cherished Brewers Broadcaster and ‘Mr. Baseball,’ Dies at 90 – One America News Network
OAN Staff James Meyers
3:30 PM – Thursday, January 16, 2025
Bob Uecker, affectionately known as “Mr. Baseball,” and the iconic voice of the Milwaukee Brewers for over 54 years, has passed away at the age of 90. His remarkable contributions to baseball earned him induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
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“Ueck was the light of the Brewers, the soundtrack of our summers, the laughter in our hearts, and his passing is a profound loss. He was the heart and soul of Wisconsin and a dear friend. Bob loved people; his presence warmed every room and he had a way of welcoming all of us into his world as if we were lifelong friends,” stated the organization.
Uecker’s Major League Baseball journey included playing catcher for three teams during a six-year career, featuring brief stints with his hometown then-Milwaukee Braves and the 1964 world-champion St. Louis Cardinals.
Despite a modest playing career, he became renowned for his distinctive broadcasting voice and clever one-liners, rather than for his batting statistics. Uecker posted a .200 batting average over 297 major league games and once led the league in passed balls.
“And I didn’t even play in all the games,” he noted with pride.
Uecker reminisced about his signing with the Atlanta Braves in 1956, which included a $3,000 bonus.
“That bothered my dad at the time because he didn’t have that kind of dough,” Uecker shared. “But he eventually scraped it up.”
His journey to fame took a turn when his friend, trumpeter Al Hirt, recommended him to Johnny Carson for a guest spot on the late-night television show. Uecker quickly became a beloved frequent guest on Carson’s show, and it was there that he earned the nickname “Mr. Baseball.”
Throughout the 1970s, 80s, and 90s, Uecker made over 100 appearances on “The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson”, which significantly increased his popularity.
“Anybody with ability can play in the big leagues,” he remarked. “But to be able to trick people year in and year out the way I did, I think that was a much greater feat.”
Uecker also gained fame for his role as the play-by-play announcer Harry Doyle in the “Major League” films and was well-known for his appearance in Miller Lite commercials featuring former baseball players.
According to his family, Uecker had been privately battling small-cell lung cancer since 2023.
“He brought joy to countless listeners through his wit, charisma, and love for baseball, Milwaukee, and all of Wisconsin, creating a legacy that will forever be cherished,” his family conveyed. “While his contributions to the game are noteworthy, it is his kindness, humility, and love for family and friends that we will hold closest to our hearts.”
Uecker’s athletic prowess included starring in both baseball and basketball at Milwaukee Technical High School, where he transitioned from pitcher to catcher.
“My first game, my parents and friends were there, and when the manager came out to remove me, I didn’t want to leave because I was embarrassed. I asked, ‘Let me face this guy one more time, since I struck him out the first time I faced him.’ The manager replied, ‘I know, but it’s the same inning. I’ve got to get you out of here.’ That was my move to catching,” Uecker recalled.
During his rookie season, he played in 33 games, hitting .250 with two doubles and a home run. He also played for the St. Louis Cardinals, Philadelphia Phillies, and Atlanta Braves before retiring in 1967.
After his playing career, Uecker became a broadcaster in Atlanta before joining the Brewers’ broadcast team, where he called games for 54 seasons until his death. His broadcasting experience included working with ABC and NBC during World Series and League Championship games, as well as announcing the Brewers’ 1982 World Series loss to the Cardinals for a local Milwaukee station.
Health issues began to limit his broadcasting in 2014, and he famously signed his first official contract with the Brewers in 2021 for health insurance purposes, as he previously relied on handshake agreements.
“It’s amazing how you take everything for granted,” he told MLB.com during his return to the Brewers’ spring training facility in 2021. “Being down there on the field, shooting the bull. Then when you can’t do it, it’s bad. You really lose that.”
Uecker’s popularity only grew throughout his broadcasting career, winning the title of Wisconsin Sportscaster of the Year five times and being inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2011.
He is survived by his son Bob Jr. and daughter Sue Anne, and preceded in death by his son, Steve, and daughter, Leann.
“It’s been great,” Uecker reflected during a ceremony at the Brewers ballpark in 2005 celebrating his 50 years in baseball. “I’d like to do this again 50 years from now when I get to 100. Wherever I am, dig me up. Bring me back here. A couple of laps around the warning track and take me back to the hole where you picked me up.”
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