Bob Uecker, the Milwaukee Brewers announcer who is famous for his humorous lines and catchphrases, celebrated 50 years in broadcasting this year. His longevity has made him a fan favorite despite being part of an organization that has not won a World Series since 1982.
The Bob Uecker still announcing is a question that has been asked for 50 years. Bob Uecker, Milwaukee Brewers announcer, celebrated his 50th anniversary behind the mic in 2018.
MILWAUKEE, Wis. — The event commemorating famous Brewers announcer Bob Uecker’s half-century on the mike included remembrances, gratitude, and a hefty dose of funny tales, as one would anticipate.
At least the ones Uecker claimed he could share with a multigenerational audience of family, friends, past players, and team workers.
Bob Uecker Day was observed in Milwaukee and Wisconsin on Saturday in honor of Uecker, a Milwaukee native fondly known as “Mr. Baseball.”
Uecker also “threw” the first pitch, taking the cover off a throwing machine in front of the mound at the last moment.
Former Brewers owner and MLB commissioner Bud Selig, who handed Uecker his first broadcasting position with the club, current owner Mark Attanasio, and former Brewers players Robin Yount and Paul Molitor, both in the Hall of Fame, joined Uecker on the dais before Saturday’s game against the New York Mets.
Bob Uecker, aided by a pitching machine, tossed out the ceremonial first pitch on Saturday. Photo courtesy of Getty Images/John Fisher
At the ceremony, Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett and Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers spoke and presented Uecker with a proclamation.
After a six-year career as a catcher with the Milwaukee Braves, St. Louis Cardinals, Philadelphia Phillies, and Atlanta Braves, Uecker, now 87, joined the Brewers broadcast team in 1971 after a six-year career as a catcher with the Milwaukee Braves, St. Louis Cardinals, Philadelphia Phillies, and Atlanta Braves that included a World Series championship with the Cardinals in 1964 and a.200 career batting average.
His post-playing career included appearances on “The Tonight Show” with the late Johnny Carson, who dubbed Uecker “Mr. Baseball,” as well as roles in the TV sitcom “Mr. Belvedere,” the iconic humorous Miller Lite beer commercials of the 1980s, which included Uecker’s now-famous line “I must be in the front row,” and as hilarious announcer Harry Doyle in the film “Major League.”
Under Selig, Uecker claimed he never had a formal contract with the club, which remained under Attanasio.
“Here we are 50 years later,” Selig remarked, referring to when he originally employed Uecker, when Uecker interjected, “And I’m still waiting to get paid.”
A video of congratulatory messages from former Brewers players, including Don Money, Cecil Cooper, Ben Sheets, and Greg Vaughn; legendary broadcasters Bob Costas and Vin Scully; and announcers Pat Hughes of the Chicago Cubs, Jim Powell of the Atlanta Braves, and Joe Block of the Pittsburgh Pirates — all former partners in Milwaukee with Uecker — were also shown during the pregame presentation.
Former Brewers manager Ron Roenicke and ex-general manager Doug Melvin were among those there, in addition to family and friends.
Yount, who played with the Brewers for his entire 20-year career, and Molitor, who spent the first 15 of his 21 years in the majors with Milwaukee, both reminisced about the days when Uecker still threw batting practice.
“He threw batting practice for a long time and, not jokingly, was perhaps the greatest batting practice pitcher we had for many, many years,” Yount, an 18-year-old rookie who started Opening Day at shortstop in 1974, recalled.
Molitor also discussed Uecker’s connection with the players, from their early days in the locker room to the present squad.
“To be honest, it’s a little humiliating to claim I’ve known him since I was a teenager, since I was 18 when I first met him. He was a bit older than that, but he hadn’t yet attained the mindset of a teenager “Despite the evident love, Yount laughed.
Brewers manager Craig Counsell, who grew up listening to Uecker’s broadcasts in the Milwaukee region, said he treasures his friendship with the broadcaster, whom he refers to as a close friend.
“You really wish you had written everything down when you spend a lot of time with Uke,” Counsell remarked.
When it came time for Uecker to speak, he had the crowd laughing with tales that only he could tell. He stated he enjoys what he does and has no intentions to retire, but he will know when the time comes and would not want to disgrace himself or the company.
“This is what I want for my final bobblehead,” Uecker remarked. “It’ll be a box, with the top opening, and I’ll get up and do my get up, get up, go out of here, get back down, shut the lid, and that’ll be the end of it. That’s the path I’d want to take.”
Bob Uecker is an American comedian, actor, voice actor, and sports broadcaster. He was born on June 20th, 1926 in Milwaukee. He has announced games for the Milwaukee Brewers since 1970. Reference: how old is bob uecker.
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