Bob Uecker, Milwaukee Brewers radio voice and ‘Mr. Baseball’, is dead

On By Littum

Unfortunately, Milwaukee Brewers radio broadcasts will never sound the same.

Bob Uecker, the team’s on-air voice for 54 years, a Baseball Hall of Famer and local, statewide and national icon, died Thursday, the Brewers announced.

He was 90 years old.

“Today we take on the heaviest burdens. Today we say goodbye to our beloved friend, Bob Uecker,” the team said in a statement. “Ueck was the light of the brewers, the soundtrack of our summers, the laughter of our hearts, and his passing is a deep loss. He was the heart and soul of Wisconsin and a dear friend Bob loved people saying goodbye to Bob shakes us all. He was so much more than one Milwaukee Brewers icon. He was a national treasure. Bob entertained us with his words and storytelling, so it’s no surprise that his passing now leaves us at a loss for our own words. “There are no words to describe the impact Ueck had on so many and how much he was loved. We are left with a huge void in our hearts, but also remember the laughter and joy he brought to our lives over the years.”

Uecker faced a private battle with small cell lung cancer since early 2023, his family said in a statement.

“He brought joy to countless listeners through his wit, charisma and love of baseball, Milwaukee and all of Wisconsin, creating a legacy that will be forever cherished,” the family said. “While his contributions to the game are remarkable, it is his kindness, humility and love for family and friends that we will hold closest to our hearts. “We are grateful for the outpouring of love and support during this difficult time as we grieve and celebrating the man we were lucky enough to call our own.”

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An emotional Christian Yelich on an emotional subject for him: Bob Uecker

An emotional Christian Yelich about a clearly emotional subject for him: his friend Bob Uecker. The two had a one-on-one chat after the Brewers lost the wild card series to the New York Mets at American Family Field in Milwaukee on Thursday.

Born in Milwaukee and a graduate of Boys Tech High School, Uecker signed his first professional contract with the Milwaukee Braves in 1956 and made his major-league debut for them in 1962.

A catcher, Uecker went on to play in 297 games over a six-year career, also suiting up for the St. Louis Cardinals, Philadelphia Phillies and Atlanta Braves before retiring after the 1967 season at age 33.

Uecker finished as only a .200 hitter, but could claim to have homered three eventual Hall of Fame pitchers in Sandy Koufax, Ferguson Jenkins and Gaylord Perry. His crowning achievement as a player was getting a World Series ring in 1964 with the Cardinals.

After a brief stint as a scout, Uecker began his radio career in 1969 with a two-year run in the booth with the Braves before returning home and beginning his legendary run in 1971 with the Brewers. Along the way, Uecker also called national games on several networks from the 1970s to the 1990s.

“Get up! Get up! Get out of here! Away!” became Uecker’s trademark catchphrase every time a Milwaukee player hit a home run.

Uecker was honored by the organization in several ways decades later, from being inducted into the Walk of Fame outside then-Miller Park in 2003; being added to the team’s Ring of Honor in 2005; having a statue bearing his likeness dedicated in his honor both outside the ballpark (2012) and inside (2014).

He was also inducted into the inaugural class of the team’s Wall of Honor in 2014.

“I am devastated by the loss of my dear lifelong friend, Bob Uecker. I cannot begin to describe how much he meant to me, let alone what this loss means to Brewers fans, the state of Wisconsin and countless others around the world,” Bud said Selig, commissioner of Major League Baseball and former Brewers owner. a statement “Bob had the easiest way to make others feel good and always make people feel a little better. “I am so grateful that Bob Friendship was a constant presence throughout most of my life. In over fifty years, rarely a day went by where we missed a conversation, a sharing of stories and countless laughs, which cannot be replaced and is a huge loss, but I am lucky to have experienced that kind of lasting friendship “Sue and My thoughts are with Judy, Bob’s children Sue Ann and Bob Jr., and all of Bob’s family during this difficult time for all of us.”

In 2021, Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers declared September 25 “Bob Uecker Day”, marking Uecker’s 50th year in broadcasting. True to form, when Uecker was invited to throw out the ceremonial first pitch before the Brewers’ game against the New York Mets, Uecker instead took the cover of a pitching machine that did the honors for him.

His 54 years on the microphone made Uecker the fourth-longest tenured broadcaster in major-league history, behind only Vin Scully and Jaime Jarrin of the Los Angeles Dodgers (67 and 64 years, respectively) and the still active Denny Matthews of the Kansas City Royals (56 year).

Along the way, Uecker was lauded several times for his broadcast chops and longevity.

Topping the list was his induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2003 after winning the Ford C. Frick Award, which is presented annually to a broadcaster for major contributions to the game. Uecker is also a member of the Radio Hall of Fame (2001), the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association Hall of Fame (2011), and the NationalAssociation of Broadcasters Broadcasting Hall of Fame (2012).

While calling Brewers games was Uecker’s original claim to fame, he also became nationally known as an entertainer beginning in 1969 with a string of appearances on “The Tonight Show,” where his “Mr. Baseball” persona and wry sense of humor served him national recognition.

Uecker’s celebrity reached new heights in the 1980s, both with his turns in the famous Miller Lite commercials, but also on the television screen in the ABC sitcom “Mr. Belvedere”, a guest hosting spot on NBC’s “Saturday Night Live” as an announcer for several WWF “WrestleMania” events and then in the movie “Major League” where he played — by the way — a radio play-by-play man, Harry Doyle.

Uecker also wrote what could best be described as a humorous autobiography in 1982, aptly titled “Catcher in the Wry.”

Several health problems later in Uecker’s life forced him to cut back on his broadcasting schedule. He underwent multiple heart surgeries and survived pancreatic cancer, a brown recluse spider bite, melanoma and COVID-19.

Uecker also endured the heartache of losing not one, but two of her grown children, Steve (2012) and Leeann (2022).

Through it all, Uecker was a renowned philanthropist, devoting time and money to a number of local and national charities, including the MACC Fund, Make-A-Wish Foundation, ALS Foundation, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee, Big Brothers/Big Sisters and wounded warriors.

Cancer research and organizations fighting heart disease and cystic fibrosis also benefited from Uecker’s efforts.

“It is with heavy hearts that we mourn Bob’s passing,” the Uecker family said in a statement shared by the Brewers. “To many he was an orator and entertainer whose humor and voice transcended the game, but to us he was so much more. “Bob faced a private battle with small cell lung cancer since early 2023, which he met with the same strength and resilience that defined him. Even in the face of this challenge, his enthusiasm for life was always present and he never let his spirit waver. “He brought joy to countless listeners through his wit, charisma and love of baseball, Milwaukee and all of Wisconsin, creating a legacy that will forever be cherished. While his contributions to the game are remarkable, so are his kindness, humility and love to family and friends we will hold closest to our hearts. “We are grateful for the outpouring of love and support during this difficult time as we mourn and celebrate the man we were so lucky to call ours.”

Uecker’s final appearance at American Family Field came on Oct. 3, calling the fateful ninth inning of the Brewers’ heartbreaking 4-2 loss to the New York Mets in Game 3 of the teams’ National League wild-card series.

“I’m telling you,” he said in the following moments. “The one that had some bite on it.”

All told, Uecker’s run in baseball lasted 69 years.

He is survived by his longtime partner, Judy, daughter Sue Ann and son Bob Jr.

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