Bob Uecker, longtime Milwaukee Brewers announcer known as “Mr. Baseball,” dies at age 90
Bob UeckerThe spokesman for his hometown Milwaukee Brewers, who earned the nickname “Mr. Baseball” and Hall of Fame honors after a brief career, has died, the baseball commissioner’s office confirmed to CBS News. He is 90 years old.
The Brewers announced Uecker’s death Thursday morning, calling it “one of the most difficult days in Milwaukee Brewers history.” In a statement released by the club, Uecker’s family said he had been battling small cell lung cancer since early 2023.
“Even in the face of such challenges, his zest for life remained and never let his spirit waver,” the family said.
Uecker is best known as a colorful comedian and broadcaster who earned his nickname through numerous appearances on Johnny Carson’s late-night show.
Jeffrey Phelps/MLB Photo via Getty Images
Born and raised in Milwaukee, Uecker signed his first professional contract with the Milwaukee Braves in 1956 and entered the major leagues in 1962. He spent six seasons in the majors as a backup catcher, finishing with a .200 average and 14 home runs.
He won a World Series ring with St. Louis in 1964 and also pitched for Atlanta and Philadelphia.
“Career highlights? I have two,” he often joked. “I got an intentional walk from Sandy Koufax and I got out of the jam against the Mets.”
Uecker also became friends with former Brewers owner and MLB commissioner Bud Selig, who initially hired him as a scout. Selig likes to joke about how Uecker’s initial scouting report was covered in mashed potatoes and gravy.
Selig eventually brought Uecker into the broadcast room. Uecker became the face of the Brewers in 1971, the year after the franchise moved from Seattle.
Uecker has remained with the club ever since and has become one of the Brewers’ most indelible figures. Brewers manager Craig Counsell, who grew up in the Milwaukee area, remembers throwing a baseball onto the roof in the summer and catching it while listening to Uecker’s broadcast.
“No one in the history of this franchise is as iconic and important as Bob Uecker,” said Jeff Levering, a member of the Brewers’ broadcast staff since 2015 (Jeff Levering) said.
Even as his celebrity status continues to grow across the country, Uecker relishes the opportunity to continue hosting games for his hometown fans.
“Being able to do a game every day all summer long and talk to people every day at 6:30 for a night game, you become part of people’s family,” Uecker once said. “I know this because I get emails from people telling me this. That’s part of the reward of being here, just being recognized by the way you talk, the way you describe the game and stuff like that.”
In 2003, Uecker was awarded the Ford C. Frick Award from the Hall of Fame and thrilled a crowd of approximately 18,000 in Cooperstown, New York, for nearly 20 minutes.
“I still – and this is not sour grapes by any means – still think I should come in as a player,” he quipped.
In 1969, “Ueck” achieved great success after opening for Don Rickles at Alhert’s nightclub in Atlanta. That performance caught Hurt’s attention, and the musician arranged for him to appear on “The Tonight Show” with Johnny Carson. He became one of Carson’s favorite guests, appearing more than 100 times.
Carson called Uecker “Mr. Baseball.” The name stuck.
But Uecker’s comedy is only part of his abilities. Uecker’s passionate storytelling and delivery made him a natural as one of the first color commentators on ABC network television broadcasts in the 1970s. In the 1990s, he played in the World Series with Bob Costas and Joe Morgan.
Since then, Uecker has made his way into most homes as one of the Miller Lite All-Stars in hit commercials for the Milwaukee beer brand. Uecker then began his television acting career in 1985 on the ABC sitcom “Mr. Belvedere.” .
Uecker starred in the successful six-year, 122-episode series as George Owens, the patriarch and sportswriter of a family that brings in a difficult-to-adjust character. The steward of the American family.
In some casting credits, Uecker also had prominent roles in the films Major League (1989) and Major League II (1994), playing for the down and out. ‘s Cleveland Indians team as gruff announcer Harry Doyle. Find a way to be a playoff contender.
“I guess I’m part of American folklore,” Uecker told The Associated Press in 2003. “But I’m not a Hollywood guy. Baseball and broadcasting are in my blood.”
His sarcastic description of an extremely wayward pitch — “Juuuust a little outside!” — is a line from the movie that’s still often repeated by on-field announcers and fans.
