This week the baseball world, entertainment world, and just all of us lost an iconic voice and personality when the legendary Bob Uker passed away.
Bob Uecker, the voice of the Milwaukee Brewers for 54 years, a Baseball Hall of Famer, and a national icon, was 90 years old.
Ueker gained national fame as the funny, self-deprecating baseball announcer. He gained an even larger following when he stole the show in the movie Major League, and some even know him for his role in the TV series Mr. Belvedere, but he will always be Mr. Baseball. The nickname was given to him for his more than 5 decades of work as the play-by-play voice of his hometown Brewers.
Uecker battled with small cell lung cancer since early 2023, his family released in a statement.
“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," the family said. "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."
“We are grateful for the outpouring of love and support during this difficult time as we grieve and celebrate the man we were so lucky to call ours.”
Born in Milwaukee Uecker signed his first professional contract with the Milwaukee Braves in 1956 and made his major-league debut for them in 1962. As a catcher, Uecker went on to play 297 games over a six-year career, he also spent time with the for the St. Louis Cardinals, Philadelphia Phillies and Atlanta Braves and retired at 33 years old.
While Uecker was famous for quoting his .200 batting average, he does have the statistic of being the only .200 hitter to ever hit a home run off of three eventual Hall of Fame pitchers in Sandy Koufax, Ferguson Jenkins and Gaylord Perry. Ueker also owns a World Series ring that he earned in 1964 with the Cardinals.
After a short-lived stint as a scout, where he was let go in part because he sent scouting reports back with mashed potatoes and gravy stains on them, Uecker began his broadcasting career in 1969 with a two-year run in the booth with the Braves before returning home and starting his legendary run in 1971 with the Brewers.
Uecker went on to be honored by the Brewers by being inducted into the Walk of Fame outside then-Miller Park in 2003. He was also added to the team's Ring of Honor in 2005 and he now has a statue of himself outside of the stadium.
His 54 years on the microphone made Uecker the fourth-longest tenured broadcaster in major-league history. He was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2003 after earning the Ford C. Frick Award, which is awarded 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 National Association of Broadcasters Broadcasting Hall of Fame (2012).
Bob Ueker wasn't just Milwaukee Brewers baseball, he was Mr. Baseball. From the Tonight Show, to the Miller Lite commercials, to his TV and movie appearances Ueker was a part of all of our lives as baseball fans.