Bob Uecker, Cherished Brewers Broadcaster Known as ‘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 54 years, which led him to the Baseball Hall of Fame, passed away on Thursday at the age of 90.
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“Ueck was the light of the Brewers, the soundtrack to our summers, a source of joy in our lives, and his passing is a significant loss. He embodied the spirit of Wisconsin and was a cherished friend. Bob had an innate ability to connect with everyone, making all who met him feel as if they were lifelong companions,” stated the organization.
During his six-year MLB career, Uecker played as a catcher for three teams, including his hometown then-Milwaukee Braves and the 1964 world-champion St. Louis Cardinals.
Despite his time as a player, Uecker gained far greater acclaim for his vibrant voice in the broadcasting booth and his witty one-liners than for his batting average. Over 297 major league games, he posted a .200 batting average and famously led the league in passed balls.
“And I didn’t even play in all the games,” he said with pride.
Uecker reminisced about his signing with the Atlanta Braves in 1956 for a $3,000 bonus.
“That upset my dad since he didn’t have that much money,” Uecker recalled. “But he managed to scrape it together.”
His rise to stardom began when his friend, trumpeter Al Hirt, suggested him as a guest to late-night television host Johnny Carson. Uecker quickly became a regular on Carson’s show, where he earned the moniker “Mr. Baseball.”
Throughout the 1970s, 80s, and 90s, Uecker appeared more than 100 times on “The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson,” paving the way for numerous opportunities.
“Anyone can play in the majors if they have the talent,” he noted. “But to fool everyone consistently like I did, that was an incredible achievement.”
Uecker is perhaps best known for portraying the play-by-play announcer Harry Doyle in the “Major League” film series, yet his initial ascent to fame was through memorable TV commercials for Miller Lite, which featured former major league players.
According to his family, Uecker had been fighting a private battle with small-cell lung cancer since 2023.
“He brought happiness to countless fans with his charm, wit, and passion for baseball, Milwaukee, and all of Wisconsin, establishing a lasting legacy we will always treasure,” Uecker’s family stated. “Beyond his significant contributions to baseball, his kindness, humility, and love for family and friends will be what we remember most.”
Uecker excelled in baseball and basketball at Milwaukee Technical High School, where he transitioned from pitcher to catcher.
“In my first game, my parents and friends were there, and the manager came to pull me out,” Uecker recounted. “I was embarrassed and asked to face one more batter since I had struck him out earlier. The manager insisted I had to come out because it was the same inning. That’s how I became a catcher.”
He played in 33 games during his rookie season, hitting .250 with two doubles and a home run. Uecker also played for the St. Louis Cardinals, Philadelphia Phillies, and Atlanta Braves before retiring from professional baseball in 1967.
Following his playing career, Uecker worked as a broadcaster in Atlanta before joining the Brewers’ broadcasts. He called games for 54 seasons until his passing and also served as a broadcaster for ABC and NBC during World Series and League Championship games, notably calling the Brewers’ 1982 World Series loss to the Cardinals for a local Milwaukee station.
Health challenges required Uecker to reduce his broadcasting schedule in 2014. Famously, he signed his first contract with the Brewers’ organization in 2021 to secure health insurance after the Screen Actors Guild withdrew health coverage in 2020. Prior to that, he had been operating under informal agreements.
“It’s incredible how easily we take things for granted,” he told MLB.com about his visit to the Brewers’ spring training facility in 2021. “Being on the field, chatting with everyone, is invaluable. When you can’t do it anymore, it hits hard. You really miss it.”
Uecker’s fame only grew throughout his broadcasting career. He was awarded the Wisconsin Sportscaster of the Year five times and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2011.
He is survived by his son Bob Jr. and daughter Sue Anne, and was preceded in death by a son, Steve, and a daughter, Leann.
“It’s been wonderful,” Uecker said during a 2005 ceremony at the Brewers ballpark celebrating his 50 years in baseball. “I’d love to do this again in 50 years when I reach 100. Wherever I may be, dig me up. Bring me back here. A few laps around the warning track and then take me back to where you found me.”
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