Bob Uecker was a former major league baseball catcher who became the longtime broadcaster for the Milwaukee Brewers, as well as a comedic actor known for “Mr. Belvedere” and “Major League.”
- Died: January 16, 2025 (Who else died on January 16?)
- Details of death: Died January 16, 2025 at the age of 90.
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Bob Uecker’s legacy
Born in Milwaukee, Bob Uecker grew up in a working-class neighborhood and played baseball in school, eventually managing to land a contract with his hometown team, the Milwaukee Braves. He spent six years in the majors as a catcher, also playing for the St. Louis Cardinals and Philadelphia Phillies, but was a below average player who never attained stardom on the field.
However, what he did have was charisma and a self-deprecating sense of humor. Uecker’s wit did not go unnoticed, leading to his post-retirement transition into radio broadcasting in 1971. He quickly became a beloved announcer, earning the moniker “Mr. Baseball” and becoming a mainstay in Milwaukee for over five decades, among the longest tenures in baseball history.
Uecker became a wider known name outside of Milwaukee in the 1980s, when he launched an acting career. He played George Owens for six years on the sitcom “Mr. Belvedere,” was in a series of popular commercials for Miller Lite in the ‘80s, and played a parody of himself in the baseball comedy film trilogy kicked off by “Major League,” among other roles. He continued broadcasting during this time.
In 2003, Uecker was honored with the Ford C. Frick Award for his work as a broadcaster and his overall contributions to baseball. He was inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame in 2001, and was put into the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association in 2011 after winning Wisconsin Sportscaster of the Year five times.
Tributes to Bob Uecker
Full obituary: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
