To Absent Friends - Bob Uecker

"Mr. Baseball"

1934-2025

As soon as I heard of the death of Bob Uecker yesterday at the age of 90, I knew that an Absent Friends post would be absolutely required.  Before I did, though, I reached out to my Milwaukee pal Steve Ozbolt, and I asked him to tell me something about him that people outside Milwaukee didn't know about him.  Oz, who told me that he and indeed all of Milwaukee were truly heartbroken over the news of Ueck's passing.  It made me think of the losses over the years that we have experienced here in Pittsburgh - Bob Prince in the 1985, Myron Cope in 2008, and Stan Savran in 2023.  Steve told me that he would put some stuff together to help me write my tribute.  When I received his email later in the day, there was nothing that I could add to it.  Therefore, I now turn you over to Special Guest Blogger, Steve "Oz" Ozbolt.....

The word "Icon" is overused.

However, in the case of describing “Mr Baseball” Bob Uecker it is wholly insufficient. No one, and I mean no one, not Henry Aaron, Warren Spahn, Robin Yount, Eddie Mathews, not even Commissioner Emeritus of baseball Bud Selig meant as much to Milwaukee baseball as Bob.

For 54 seasons he was the voice of our summers, of triumph and tragedy, memorable moments, even keeping us all entertained during the lean years.

The city of Milwaukee, Brewers fans everywhere and especially baseball lost a legend today. He remains the only player ever born in Milwaukee to suit up for the local nine. 

Now, to hear Ueck talk about his career, you would think that he wasn’t a good player but he single handedly kept Sandy Koufax from unanimous election to the Hall of Fame by going 4 for 10 off of him. 

As an innovator during his second stint with the Braves he invented the position of a personal catch….er…chaser of Phil Niekro’s Knuckleball. 

When his Cardinals teammates hid his glove in an attempt to prevent him from playing in the 1964 World Series he still managed to catch batting practice flies, albeit, using a tuba.  

I mean, how many among us were juuuuuuuust mediocle enough to have a lifetime .200 batting average? No need to overachieve and his .201 or heaven forbid cross the Mendoza line and dip to .199 he managed to stick the landing. I mean, that’s got to count for something.   

 When he was notified of his retirement (after being told by his manager to “grab a bat and stop this rally” and having the third base coach turn his back when Ueck looked down for the sign) he took a stab at scouting. However after turning in a report covered in mashed potatoes and gravy they decided that the broadcast booth might be a better option. He was the soundtrack of every Milwaukee summer. With too many iconic call to mention I will bet that any Brewers fan alive on Easter Sunday 1987 will never forget where they were listening to Bob’s call of the game tying and winning home runs that propelled “Team Streak” to win number 12 (of 13) to open the season. 

From his love of the players here, Robin, Molly, Henry, Yelli (I’m beginning to notice a pattern here) , “Buddy” Selig and his love of the city; he refused to leave for Hollywood (taking a bit of time off for Mr Belevedere) (The movie Major League was filmed in Milwaukee) or for bigger cities (George Steinbrenner made multiple offers for him to join the Yankees broadcast team) he remained loyal to the city that he called home. He was an ambassador for the game, one of Johnny Carson’s favorite guests a network broadcaster and even a WWE Hall of famer. 

Simply put, icon doesn’t even come close to capturing what he means to us here. 

May your legend live forever, thanks for all of the memories Bob. 

Thanks for that, Steve, and we all share in your loss, and to close on a happier note, I have to include perhaps Uecker's most famous commercial, The"front row" one for Miller Lite.

RIP Bob Uecker.

P.S.  Last night Steve sent me a message to tell me that one year the Brewers players voted Bob Uecker a full share of their post-season money winnings.  Uecker accepted the gift, and then gave all of the money to various Milwaukee charities.