Broadcast legend Bob Uecker has sadly passed away at the age of 90.
Uecker, affectionately known as “Mr. Baseball,” had been battling lung cancer, according to his family.
Uecker’s career in baseball lasted just six years as a journeyman catcher, but his humor and charm left a far greater mark than his bat or glove ever could.
He often poked fun at his own abilities, quipping that his hitting slumps lasted into the offseason and that equipment companies paid him not to endorse their products.
“Anybody with ability can play in the big leagues,” Uecker wrote in his memoir. “To last as long as I did with the skills I had, with the numbers I produced, was a triumph of the human spirit.”
Despite his modest playing career – a .200 lifetime batting average, 14 home runs, and 74 RBIs – Uecker became a cultural icon, known for his razor-sharp wit, television roles, and legendary beer commercials.
Uecker, a Milwaukee native born on January 26, 1934, became a beloved figure in his hometown. He began his broadcasting career with the Brewers in 1971, staying in the booth for more than 50 years and celebrating his 50th anniversary in 2021.
His self-deprecating humor caught the attention of late-night host Johnny Carson, who dubbed him “Mr. Baseball” and invited him to appear on The Tonight Show over 100 times.
Uecker’s fame soared in the 1970s and ’80s, thanks to a series of Miller Lite commercials in which he portrayed a bumbling but enthusiastic version of himself.
One iconic ad showed Uecker mistakenly assuming his fame earned him prime stadium seats, only to be relocated to the farthest reaches of the ballpark. “I must be in the front row!” he exclaimed, only to end up in the nosebleeds.
Uecker parlayed his comedic talents into acting roles, most notably as the sardonic broadcaster Harry Doyle in the Major League movie trilogy.
Lines like “Juuuust a bit outside” became part of pop culture. He also starred on the sitcom Mr. Belvedere and hosted Saturday Night Live in 1984.
Despite his Hollywood success, Uecker’s heart remained with baseball. “I loved doing all that other stuff, but baseball is No. 1,” he told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel in 2019.
Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred praised Uecker as “one of the game’s most beloved figures throughout his 70-year career.”
Manfred highlighted Uecker’s loyalty to Milwaukee and his ability to connect with fans.
Brewers Hall of Famer Paul Molitor also spoke of the enormous impact Uecker had while also remaining humble and grounded despite the fame.
“Bob became incredibly popular, incredibly recognizable, but his favorite environment was always the clubhouse,” Molitor said. “He never changed. With everything that came his way, he never forgot his roots.”
Brewers players showed their admiration by awarding Uecker a playoff bonus of $123,000 in 2018, a rare honor for a broadcaster.
Uecker donated the money to charity. That same year, the team dressed in plaid sports coats and loud shirts, mimicking Uecker’s signature style, as a tribute.
The Brewers honored Uecker with two statues at their stadium: one outside and another in the upper deck, paying homage to his famous “front row” commercial. Fans can take selfies next to the seated statue, which includes an empty chair.
I think I speak for the entire baseball world when I say that Uecker will be sorely missed.
In many ways, he was one of a kind.
RIP to a true legend.
