Beloved. Treasure. Legend.
The tributes are pouring in for Bob Uecker, “Mr. Baseball,” the Milwaukee Brewers’ longtime radio announcer, who died Thursday at age 90. And the words used to describe him depict a man who was cherished by family, friends and fans alike.
Uecker was diagnosed with small cell lung cancer in 2023, according to a statement issued by his family.
“He brought joy to countless listeners through his wit, charisma, and love for baseball, Milwaukee, and all of Wisconsin,” the statement read. “While his contributions to the game are noteworthy, it is his kindness, humility, and love for family and friends that we will hold closest to our hearts.”
Last season marked Uecker’s 54th as the Brewers’ broadcaster, the fourth-longest tenure of any broadcaster with one team in the history of Major League Baseball (behind Vin Scully, Jaime Jarrín and Denny Matthews). In 1962, he became the first Milwaukee native to sign with the Braves and spent six seasons as a backup catcher.
Bud Selig, the former baseball commissioner and before that, Brewers owner, hired Uecker as a scout for the team in 1971. The two became friends.
“I am so grateful that Bob’s friendship was a constant presence throughout most of my life. For over 50 years, rarely did a day pass where we missed a conversation, a sharing of stories, and countless laughs. That cannot be replaced and is a giant loss, but I am lucky to have experienced that kind of enduring friendship.”
Bob Uecker was, and will always be, the soul of Brewers Baseball#ThankYouUeck pic.twitter.com/nolBZpIgJr
— Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) January 16, 2025
The Brewers described Uecker, or as Milwaukeeans know him, Ueck, as “the light of the Brewers, the soundtrack of our summers, the laughter in our hearts…. He was the heart and soul of Wisconsin and a dear friend.
“Saying goodbye to Bob shakes us all. He was so much more than a Milwaukee Brewers icon. He was a national treasure. Bob entertained us with his words and storytelling, so it is no surprise that his passing now leaves us at a loss for our own words,” the team said.
“Bob was the genuine item,” said commissioner Rob Manfred in a statement. “Always the funniest person in any room he was in, and always an outstanding ambassador for our National Pastime. We are grateful for this baseball life like no other, and we will never forget him.”
A common theme in the tributes was how much people loved being around and talking to Uecker. Jonathan Lucroy, the former Brewers catcher, said early in his career, he went fishing with Uecker and caught a trout.
“He handed me his net so I could bring the fish in and after I got the fish in it the rubber handle slipped off and the net sank,” Lucroy wrote on X.
“Ueck looks at me, straight-faced, serious, and yells, ‘That was my grandfather’s net!’ For a sec, I thought, oh crap. I just messed up. Then I thought, wow, that has to be one old net! Then realized he was full of it. He then started laughing at me. He was always messing with people. I loved it. I will miss talking to him.”
I went fishing with Ueck on his boat during an off day early in my career. I was nervous and hadn’t known him long. I love to fish and Ueck invited me to go with him.
Anyway, I caught a lake trout and brought it in close to the boat. He handed me his net so I could bring the…
— Jonathan Lucroy (@JLucroy20) January 16, 2025
Fellow broadcasters Michael Kay and Suzyn Waldman also paid tribute to Uecker.
“(I) am so grateful I got to spend one last time swapping memories, stories, and warm laughter with him last summer,” Waldman wrote in a post on Instagram.
So sad. What a guy. What a life. RIP Bob. https://t.co/hSlrvupgqH
— Michael Kay (@RealMichaelKay) January 16, 2025
GO DEEPER
Hall of Fame broadcaster and baseball personality Bob Uecker dies at 90
GO DEEPER
What’s it like to work with Bob Uecker? His partners stop laughing long enough to explain
(Photo: Patrick McDermott / Getty Images)
