The Lombardi Classic Gala has been an ongoing event that began in 1971. This year’s Gala was held on Friday night at The Pfister Hotel in Milwaukee. Throughout the night guests were hosted to a dinner, entertainment and a chance to bid on exclusive memorabilia, an exciting opportunity to enter an auction for sports-related prizes.
A celebrity guest Golf Tournament was held on Saturday. Golfers went head to head in an 18 hole competition at the Whistling Straits luxury golf course in Kohler, Wisconsin. The hole-in-one shootout winners have a chance to win $1 million for the Vince Lombardi Cancer Foundation.
“It makes me just so thrilled to be here tonight, with all of you, raising money for something so meaningful for all of us,” said Executive Director Ann Marie Moss. “I know we all have similar stories. I’m glad we could come together tonight to raise money for cancer research and innovative treatments.”
This year’s Gala honored Milwaukee Brewers broadcast legend Bob Uecker who was a long time supporter of Vince Lombardi Cancer Foundation.
The one and only “Mr. Baseball”
Bob Uecker, “Mr. Baseball” was a Major League Baseball player and legendary broadcaster for the Milwaukee Brewers for 54 seasons. Uecker started his broadcasting career with WSB-TV in Atlanta. In 1971, he began calling play-by-play for The Brewers. Uecker had the second longest continuous term with one team among active MLB announcers.
Uecker was also the radio color commentator for the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Panthers men’s basketball in the baseball off-season. Uecker was honored with the Award of Excellence from the Vince Lombardi Cancer Foundation in 2015.
Milwaukee Brewers greats Ken Sanders, Corey Hart, Scott Karl, and Geoff Jenkins took the stage to share their cherished stories and anecdotes about the beloved “Mr. Baseball” himself.
“One of my favorite things about Ueck is his ability to treat everybody the same,” said Jeff Jenkins. “That goes for the clubhouse guys, that goes for the trainers, the grounds group, it goes for the media.”
Surrounded by warmth and shared memories, Bob Uecker’s closest friends spent the evening regaling each other with countless tales of their time with the legendary sportscaster. Each story, punctuated by laughter and heartfelt sighs, highlighted Uecker’s incredible ability to effortlessly bring smiles to people’s faces and his genuine knack for making every single interaction feel truly meaningful.
“You just really Cherish the fact that you were part of a period of time that you had this man that just took the time to ask you about your family,” said Jenkins. “It was never about yourselves, those were the things that I would personally remember.”
As the final putts dropped and the last bids were placed, a palpable sense of accomplishment filled the air. It was more than just a successful night of fundraising and a continuation of a beloved annual tradition; it was a testament to the enduring spirit of community and compassion.
Every dollar raised and every swing taken on the course brought us closer to unlocking vital answers in cancer research while honoring the profound impact of those we’ve lost to this disease. Central to it all was the vibrant legacy of Bob Uecker, whose humor, warmth, and genuine care for others continue to inspire us to come together for a cause so deeply personal and universally important. His memory, like the funds we raised, will undoubtedly contribute to a brighter future; one where hope and healing prevail.
Ultimately, every dollar raised directly empowers the Vince Lombardi Cancer Foundation’s vital work in cancer prevention, providing compassionate care for patients, and accelerating the search for a cure.