Greetings from the sports desk located somewhere below decks of the Good Pirate Ship RedState. Sammy the Shark and Karl the Kraken have postponed their usual hockey fixation in honor of America’s pastime today, January 16, 2025, as we celebrate the life and times of major league ballplayer, actor, and longtime voice of the Milwaukee Brewers Bob Uecker, who passed away today at age 90.
We are heartbroken to announce that Brewers icon & Baseball Hall of Famer Bob Uecker passed away today at the age of 90 pic.twitter.com/EJRBC8Cjj4
— Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) January 16, 2025
Uecker, given the nickname “Mr. Baseball” by nighttime television host Johnny Carson, was a baseball lifer and Milwaukee icon. Born and raised in Milwaukee, Uecker spent six years in the major leagues as primarily a backup catcher, winning the 1964 World Series with the St. Louis Cardinals, with his primary contribution being not playing in any of the games. Following his playing career, Uecker initially worked as a scout for the Brewers during their second year in Milwaukee and third year overall in MLB, as the franchise’s first season was in Seattle as the Pilots. His quick wit and self-deprecating without malice humor caught the attention of Brewers owner Bud Selig, who moved him to the radio broadcast booth, which he never left.
Uecker’s fame grew during the ensuing decades for his work behind the microphone and in front of the camera. Never reluctant to point the finger at himself, Uecker’s revered commercials for Miller Lite remain prime examples of advertising done right.
Uecker also appeared in sitcoms such as “Mr. Belvedere” and movies like “Major League” in which he played liquor-loving Cleveland Indians announcer Harry Doyle, in doing so coining quotes that will live for as long as baseball itself.
Uecker was revered for, among other things, his ability to turn the humor on and off depending on the situation. In close, exciting games, Uecker called it straight, describing the scenario with knowing precision and insight into how the strengths and weaknesses of key players involved could come into play. Let the action on the field grow lopsided, and Uecker would turn into a consummate entertainer, either rejoicing with or reassuring Brewers fans that, good or bad, the sun would come up tomorrow no matter what was transpiring on the field.
Uecker was the hero of every kid on every baseball team for whom the at-bats came two ways, namely seldom and sorry, but kept his spot on the team through humor as much, if not more, than baseball acumen. He mastered the art of laughter through mild to wild exaggeration of his lack of skill, yet, unlike almost everyone, could point with justifiable pride to the fact that he fulfilled the dream held by so many of being a major league ballplayer. Uecker made us laugh while letting us know that baseball’s promise of a new, hope-filled day was always next up, no matter today’s rain or loss. He made the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2003 as a broadcaster, and his acceptance speech was one for the ages.
God speed, Bob Uecker.
