Former Major League Baseball player, Actor and long-time Milwaukee Brewers Announcer Bob Uecker died Jan. 16, 2025, at age 90. Uecker was a pillar of the baseball community, playing six years in the Major Leagues and doing radio broadcasts for the Brewers for 54 seasons before his passing. Baseball wasn’t Uecker’s only passion, as he had an acting career too, starring in the sitcom “Mr. Belvedere” and the “Major League” movies. His loss is felt here in Milwaukee and all across Major League Baseball.
“Ueck was the light of the Brewers, the soundtrack of our summers, the laughter in our hearts, and his passing is a profound loss,” said the Brewers in a press release. “He was the heart and soul of Wisconsin and a dear friend.”
Uecker’s family released a statement mourning his loss and underscoring his impact on Milwaukee and the game of baseball.
“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,” said the Uecker family.
Robert “Bob” Uecker was born Jan. 26, 1934, in Milwaukee, Wis. Growing up in Milwaukee, he worked odd jobs with his father, but realized in his teenage years that baseball was his calling, according to the MLB. He signed with his hometown Milwaukee Braves in 1956, spending six years in the minors as a solid player, and hitting 22 home runs one year before being called up to the Major Leagues in 1962.
Uecker struggled for the Braves, being demoted back into the minor leagues in 1963 before being traded to the St. Louis Cardinals before the 1964 season. That year, Uecker became a World Series champion, despite not touching the field the whole series. Uecker joked that this was because of an incident in which he borrowed a tuba to catch fly balls during practice before the world series, which did not go over well with management, according to the MLB.
Uecker would have a short stint with the Philadelphia Phillies before finishing off his career with Braves, who had since left for Atlanta. While his stats were never great, he made his legacy with his deadpan, self-deprecating humor. His one-liners became the stuff of legends. Uecker was once asked how he caught teammate Phil Niekro’s knuckleball, a very unpredictable pitch because of its lack of spin.
“Wait until it stops rolling,” Uecker said. “Then go to the backstop and pick it up.”
After retiring from baseball, Uecker was brought in as a scout for the Brewers, who had just relocated after Bud Selig purchased the Seattle Pilots. He would be out as a scout after one season after his scouting report came back covered in mashed potatoes and gravy, according to the MLB. He would then transition to announcing for the Brewers in 1971 and would hold that position until his passing, a 54-year stretch.
Outside of Baseball, Uecker became a star too. Uecker had over 100 appearances on “The Tonight Show” with Johnny Carson, who gave him the nickname “Mr. Baseball”. He was the longtime spokesperson for Miller Lite, with one of his commercials inspiring the “Uecker Seats” at American Family Field. In the commercial, Uecker is ushered away from his seat and he exclaims “I must be in the front row!” The camera then shows Uecker in the upper deck, as far away from the field as possible.
Uecker got his first major acting role in 1985 in the sitcom “Mr. Belvedere”, spending six seasons as George Owens, the patriarch of the show’s family, according to the SABR. In 1989, Uecker landed his biggest role yet, starring as the announcer Harry Doyle in the movie “Major League”. The movie was a hit, and he would go on to reprise the role in two more sequels.
Bob Uecker lived and died by baseball; it consumed everything he did. He played professional baseball, called baseball games, acted in baseball movies and did commercials about baseball. He truly was “Mr. Baseball” and his impact on the game was immeasurable. He was a legend not only here in Milwaukee but across the Major Leagues as well. His legacy will forever echo throughout Major League Baseball, inspiring fans to love the game just as much as he did.