Remembering Bob Uecker: "Mr. Baseball"

Robert George Uecker was born January 26th, 1934, in Milwaukee Wisconsin. Bob grew up watching the minor league Brewer team that played in Milwaukee until the Braves arrived in 1953.

After serving military service he continued to play baseball. In 1953 he was signed by the hometown Braves as a catcher.

Bob Uecker was a mediocre player at best, a good defensive catcher but a poor hitter.

MLB Debut: On April 13th, Uecker debuted for the Braves as a pinch hitter grounding out against Don Drysdale in a 6-3 loss to the Dodgers.

Multi RBI Games: On September 23rd in Milwaukee, Uecker collected a two-run double off the Pirates Bob Friend then later an RBI single off Tom Butters in a 10-3 Braves win for his first three RBI game. In his final two games of the season, Uecker had back-to-back multi-RBI games, including his first HR of the season off the Pirates Olivo Diomedes.

In his first season Uecker batted .250 with one HR & eight RBIs in 33 games.

In 1963 he played behind main backstop Joe Torre & Del Crandall seeing in action in 13 games. 

In 1964 he was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals for Gary Kolb & Jimmie Coker. There he played behind Tim McCarver seeing action in 40 games hitting .198.  

On September 1st, Uecker hit his only HR of the season coming off his old teammate the Braves Denny Lemaster. That year the Cardinals won 93 games & were the World Series Champions although Uecker did not play in the Series.

Trivia: In the 1964 Cardinal team pitcher, he & Hall of Famer Bob Gibson were fined because after the picture was developed it was discovered the two were laughing & holding hands.

After another season with the Cardinals, he was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies along with Dick Groat & Bill White for Pat Corrales, Alex Johnson & Art Mahaffey. There he played behind Clay Dalrymple. 

In 1966 Uecker saw action in 78 games for the fourth place Phillies & hit .208. That year he had career highs in HRs (7) & RBIs (30) as well as six multi-RBI games. 

In June of 1967 Uecker was traded to Braves who were now relocated in Atlanta, in exchange for Gene Oliver. He batted .236 in 62 games then retired from playing at the end of the season. 

Behind the plate he led the league in passed balls (27) & errors (11) despite only playing in 59 games. The main reason was catching knuckleball pitcher Phil Neikro. 

Quotes- Bob Uecker: "The easiest way to catch a knuckleball is to wait for it to stop rolling then just pick it up".

Grand Slam HR & Five RBI Game: On June 21st at Candlestick Park, Uecker had a career day, staring with an RBI double in the 2nd inning. In the top of the 3rd inning, in a six run Braves inning, Uecker hit a grand slam HR off Giants pitcher Ron Herbel. Uecker would later joke about him being such a weak hitter that when the manager came out to get Herbel he brought his suitcase with him.

In a modest career he played in 297 games batting .200 with 146 hits 22 doubles 14 HRs 74 RBIs a .293 on base % & .581 OPS. Behind the plate he threw out 33% of would-be base stealers, making 27 errors in 1436 chances with a .981 fielding % in 271 games.

Broadcasting Career: After his playing days he began work with the Atlanta Braves. In 1971 in just the second year of the teams move from Seattle, Uecker began calling play by play for the Milwaukee Brewers. He would continue in that role thru 2024, lasting 51 seasons as the team's announcer. Uecker is a legend in Milwaukee & one of the teams all time notable figures even though he never played for them.

Those of us who grew up in the 1070s will remember Bob doing The Game of the Week broadcasts in a time before ESPN & paid services. Uecker would stay on network national coverage into the 1990s.

It was not just his ability to provide accurate play-by-play action that captivated fans, it was his great story telling & amusing way he could poke fun at himself that made people laugh. He could recollect on great baseball players from his time while always pointing out how bad or mediocre he was on the field. 

His humor & fame grew to an even higher level when he made late night audiences laugh on the Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson. Uecker was so entertaining & popular he made over 100 appearances on the show. Carson gave Uecker the moniker "Mr. Baseball."

Lite Beer Commercials: In the 1980's he participated in the classic Miller Lite Commercials that featured former athletes & sports figures debate whether the beer was more likeable because it was less filling or tasted great. It was in these commercials he made his famous comment "must be in the front row". 

He commented on how by being a recognized player he would have good seats up front only to be escorted out ending up in the upper deck. This is why the upper deck seats far from the field became known as "Uecker Seats". 

Trivia: In Milwaukee's American Family Field there is a $1 seating section with obstructed views high above the field that have the official Uecker Seats name.

In 1982 he also wrote a humorous baseball book titled Catcher in the Wry. That year his beloved Brewers made their only World Series appearance, losing to the St. Louis Cardinals in seven games. Bob worked the local radio broadcasts.

Bob remained a fixture in the Brewers clubhouse after games & was there for all their post season action thru the years. After the 2024 loss to the New York Mets, he helped consol his friend Christian Yelich.

Acting Career: From 1985 - 1990 Uecker played the role of George Owens on the sitcom Mr. Belvedere. He would make other TV appearances on Who's the Boss? D.C. Follies & Lateline. Bob also had roles in movies Fatal Instinct. In 1984 he hosted an episode of Saturday Night Live.

He has also done voice over work in film & was a two-time ring announcer for the World Wrestling Federation.

Major League: His most famous role came in the baseball movie Major League where he played the Harry Doyle, broadcaster of the Cleveland team. He would drink during the game, getting drunk & would downplay the teams bad play during their bad season. 

It was here he delivered another classic baseball line commenting on a wild pitch that was far from the reach of the catcher from pitcher Ricky "Wild Thing" Vaughn played by Charlie Sheen. 

Quotes- Bob Uecker: " Juuuust a bit outside"

Honors: Uecker won numerous sportscasting awards, was inducted in the National Radio Hall of Fame & received the Ford Frick Award by the Baseball Hall of Fame. In 2012 a Uecker Statue was placed outside Miller Park. 

In 2021 in his 50th year with the Brewers was placed in the team's Wall of Fame, as well as their Ring of Honor near the retired numbers of Robin Yount & Paul Molitor.

Family: In 1956 Bob married his first wife Joyce they remained together until 1976, together they had four children. 

Bob married his second wife Judy in 1976 they remained together until their divorce in 2001. In his lifetime Bob had two of his children pass away.

Passing: In 2010 he had two heart surgeries & recovered well. In 2023 he was diagnosed with small cell lung cancer. In January 2025 he passed away at age 90.

Upon his passing several Brewers players & alumni along with many other baseball people paid tribute to the popular man. The Hoan Bridge in Milwaukee was lit in Brewers colors in his honor as well.