Bob Uecker, colorful comedian and Baseball Hall of Famer, dies
From his time as a backup catcher to appearances on Johnny Carson's late night show to his more than five decades in the broadcast booth, people far and wide knew Bob Uecker.
(NEXSTAR) — Mr. Baseball himself, Bob Uecker, has died, the Milwaukee Brewers confirmed on Thursday. He was 90.
"Today we take on the heaviest of burdens," the Brewers wrote in a statement shared on X. "Today, we say goodbye to our beloved friend, Bob Uecker."
In a statement released by the club, Uecker’s family said he had battled small cell lung cancer since early 2023. Uecker would have turned 91 on Jan. 26.
“Even in the face of this challenge, his enthusiasm for life was always present, never allowing his spirit to falter,” the family said.
Slideshow: Bob Uecker in photos
Bob Uecker, Cardinals catcher, clowns around during workout by playing tuba near bleachers at Busch Stadium before start of second game of the World Series against the New York Yankees, Oct. 8, 1964 in St. Louis. (AP Photo) 
Milwaukee Braves catcher Bob Uecker on April 9, 1964. (AP Photo/HH) 
Bob Uecker shown in March 1976, has been named the color commentator for ABCs coverage of major league baseball, premiering on Monday, April 12 (8.30-11.30 pm EST) on ABC. A long time sports announcer, Uecker is known for his wit. (AP Photo) 
Milwaukee Brewers radio announcer Bob Uecker sits next to his statue Friday, April 25, 2014, at Miller Park in Milwaukee. The statue of the Hall of Fame broadcaster was unveiled before the Brewer's game against the Chicago Cubs. (AP Photo/Morry Gash) 
FILE - In this April, 2014 file photo, Milwaukee Brewers radio announcer Bob Uecker sits next to his statue at Miller Park in Milwaukee. Uecker was locked in the radio booth at Miller Park when the door handle broke during the sixth inning against the Dodgers Wednesday night. (AP Photo/Morry Gash, File) 
Cutouts are seen near the Bob Uecker seats in the upper deck at Miller Park before a baseball game between the Milwaukee Brewers and the Chicago White Sox Monday, Aug. 3, 2020, in Milwaukee. At right are Bud Selig and Hank Aaron. (AP Photo/Morry Gash) 
Milwaukee Brewers' owner Mark Attanasio and wife Debbie celebrate with broadcaster Bob Uecker after clinching the National League Central Division after a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2023, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash) 
Milwaukee Brewers radio announcer Bob Uecker gestures to the crowd before a baseball game between the Milwaukee Brewers and the Miami Marlins Sunday, July 28, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash) 
THE TONIGHT SHOW STARRING JOHNNY CARSON -- Pictured: (l-r) Actor Tony Randall, Actress Phyllis Newman and Baseball Player Bob Uecker during an interview with Host Johnny Carsonon October 2nd, 1975 -- (Photo by: Gary Null/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images) 
MILWAUKEE, WI - SEPTEMBER 26: A plaque honoring former player and broadcaster Bob Uecker appears outside at the Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame on September 26, 2004 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) 
Bob Uecker (L) play-by-play announcer for the Milwaukee Brewers radio team, is shown at work during the Red Sox-Brewers game at Fenway Park. 
Malibu, CA - 1984: Bob Uecker appearing on the ABC tv special 'Battle of the Network Stars XIV', at Pepperdine University. (Photo by George Long /American Broadcasting Companies via Getty Images) 
UNITED STATES - MARCH 15: MR. BELVEDERE - "Stranger in the Night" - pilot - Season One - 3/15/85, The portly Lynn Belvedere (Christopher Hewett, center) answered an ad for housekeeper of sportswriter George Owens (Bob Uecker, right), his wife, Marsha (Ilene Graff), and their three children, Wesley (Brice Beckham), Kevin (Rob Stone) and Tracy (Heather Owens)., (Photo by ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images)
Born in Milwaukee in 1934, those far and wide knew Uecker as a colorful comedian and broadcaster.
Uecker initially signed with the Milwaukee Braves in 1956 before spending time with the St. Louis Cardinals, the Philadelphia Phillies and the Atlanta Braves. He won a World Series ring with the Cardinals in 1964.
“Career highlights? I had two,” he often joked. “I got an intentional walk from Sandy Koufax and I got out of a rundown against the Mets.”
After his baseball career, Uecker became a scout for the Brewers. He would later be brought into the broadcast booth, officially becoming the voice of the team in 1971, two years after the team moved from Seattle.
“To be able to do a game each and every day throughout the summer and talk to people every day at 6:30 for a night game, you become part of people’s families,” Uecker once said. “I know that because I get mail from people that tell me that. That’s part of the reward for being here, just to be recognized by the way you talk, the way you describe a game, whatever.”
Uecker was honored by the Hall of Fame with the Ford C. Frick Award in 2003 and spent nearly 20 minutes keeping the Cooperstown, New York, crowd of about 18,000 in stitches.
“I still — and this is not sour grapes by any means — still think I should have gone in as a player,” he quipped.
Uecker also earned himself a spot in the WWE Hall of Fame after appearing as the special guest ring announcer for an "epic battle between WWE Champion Hulk Hogan and Andre the Giant." He was even attacked by Andre the Giant while interviewing the icon backstage at WrestleMania IV.
Outside of baseball, Uecker made appearances on Johnny Carson's "Tonight Show," drawing laughs while mostly poking fun at himself. Uecker, fondly known as Ueck, initially earned his big break after opening for Don Rickles at Al Hirt’s nightclub in Atlanta in 1969. That performance caught Hirt’s attention, and the musician set him up to appear on “The Tonight Show” with Johnny Carson. He became one of Carson’s favorite guests, making more than 100 appearances.
Carson was the one who dubbed Uecker “Mr. Baseball.” And the name stuck.
He would later host "Saturday Night Live" in 1984 before appearing as George Owens on the sitcom "Mr. Belvedere." In 1989, Uecker was cast as Harry Doyle in "Major League," often ranked among the best baseball films in history. His wry description of a badly wayward pitch — “Juuuust a bit outside!” — in the movie is still often repeated by announcers and fans at ballparks all over.
In real life, Uecker had one of the longest-running broadcast careers with the Brewers. He teamed up with other legendary commentators, Bob Costas and Joe Morgan, for the World Series in the 1990s.
From there, Uecker reached most households as one of the Miller Lite All-Stars in popular commercials for the beer brand based out of Milwaukee.
“I’m part of American folklore, I guess,” Uecker told The Associated Press in 2003. “But I’m not a Hollywood guy. Baseball and broadcasting are in my blood.”
All his jokes aside, Brewers fans may fondly remember seven words often chanted by Uecker best: "Get up, get up, get outta here, GONE!"
In recent years, his time on the radio had been on the decline, causing concerns among fans. In April 2010, Uecker underwent heart surgery. By July of that year, he had returned to the booth to call games.
The Brewers have honored him with two statues, one that’s outside American Family Field and another in the back row of the terrace level, a nod to the old Miller Lite commercial in which he said, “I must be in the front row!” as he was escorted to the back of a stadium.
"Saying goodbye to Bob shakes us all," the Brewers statement read. "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 Associated Press contributed to this report.
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