The world said farewell to legendary baseball announcer and player Bob Uecker on Jan. 17. His cause of death was listed as small-cell lung cancer, a disease he had battled for almost two years. He died just 10 days shy of his 91st birthday. Uecker’s life was full of memorable moments including a successful baseball career, a moderate role in Hollywood and a commitment to charitable causes. In a statement released after his death, Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred said, “While this onetime backup catcher was known for his self-deprecating style, Bob Uecker was one of the game’s most beloved figures throughout his 70-year career in baseball.”
Uecker loved the game of baseball, but he was a family man before anything. He once said, “The biggest thrill a ballplayer can have is when your son takes after you. That happened when my Bobby was in his championship Little League game. He really showed me something. Struck out three times. Made an error that lost the game. Parents were throwing things at our car and swearing at us as we drove off. Gosh, I was proud.”
Uecker spent time in the Major Leagues as a catcher for six years. As a backup catcher, he played for four teams: the Milwaukee Braves, St. Louis Cardinals, Philadelphia Phillies as well as the Atlanta Braves from 1962-1967. He won a World Series with the Cardinals in 1964. While his playing career did not stand out compared to the one he had announcing, he still belonged to an exclusive club of players to hit a homerun off of one of the all-time great pitchers and Hall of Famer Sandy Koufax.
In 1971, four years after his retirement as a player, Uecker began calling games for the Brewers, where he would spend the next 54 years as their play-by-play announcer. He was loved by fans for his good humor and sharp wit. That same wittiness led to him being a frequent guest on “The Tonight Show” with Johnny Carson. In his first appearance on the show, Carson would dub him “Mr. Baseball,” a nickname that would stick with him for the rest of his life. Uecker would appear on the show roughly 100 times throughout his career. In 2001, he was inducted into the Radio Announcer Hall of Fame. Then in 2003, he was also inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame as the recipient of the Ford C. Frick Award — the highest broadcast honor in baseball.
Outside of his baseball career, Uecker also had an established acting career. In the 1980s, he appeared in a series of Miller Lite commercials. In one, he impersonated pitcher Whitey Ford for free drinks, and in another, he played an obnoxious fan who “must be in the front row.” Also, he starred in the hit ABC sitcom “Mr. Belvedere” from 1985-90. In the show, Uecker portrayed sportswriter George Owens. While the show was a success, Uecker’s most meaningful contribution to pop culture may be as announcer Harry Doyle in the film series “Major League.” Uecker’s role in the film is the height of comedy, and his character Harry Doyle’s witty and often sarcastic commentary is a caricature of Uecker himself. With lines like “juuuust a bit outside,” his performance is one of the highlights of the films.
In addition to his broadcasting duties and acting career, Uecker also wrote two books as well as hosting “Saturday Night Live” and WrestleMania. He famously graced the pages of “Sports Illustrated” while in his 70s, donning a speedo.
Uecker was a philanthropist who supported many local and national charities. He was known for his quiet generosity and ability to connect with people. For those that interested in celebrating Uecker’s memory, his family is offering three causes that were important to him for you to support. If you are interested, all donations should be made to the websites of the Froedtert Hospital and the Medical College of Wisconsin for cancer research and clinical care, the Wounded Warrior Project and the ALS Association.
He will be deeply missed by all who remember him.
