Yeli's interview after the game 5 loss was telling.
Quote from: wadesworld on January 16, 2025, 09:51:29 AMYeli's interview after the game 5 loss was telling.
Devastating news for Wisconsin sports fans. The voice of multiple generations of baseball fans in Milwaukee and beyond.
Really sad day
Man I remember listening to him when I was in grade school.
Everyone dies, but not everyone lives.
Bob had a hell of a run
RIP to a legend
Quote from: The Sultan on January 16, 2025, 09:58:53 AMMan I remember listening to him when I was in grade school.
Same. A summer night in the backyard with the grill fired up and listening to Ueck...magical.
Sorry to hear. He was great in Major League and the Miller Lite commercials. "I must be in the front row!"
(https://i.makeagif.com/media/1-19-2023/J_HXVI.gif)
Well, I guess I'll be watching his HOF speech tonight.
Really sad day. Was really hoping he'd see the Brewers win one. You can tell the players loved him.
I would be driving around Milwaukee for work and listen to Brewers games just for Ueck (the Crew sucked at the time). He was a gem, and his work in Major League is beyond legendary. Sad day for all baseball fans.
https://twitter.com/MLBNetwork/status/1879919705940500663
This is one of the very worst days.
RIP to an absolute legend.
This is one of those deaths that will hit an entire community.
Went to Milwaukee Boys Tech, played for the Braves, was the voice of baseball here for multiple generations and never left when for a bigger market when he easily could have.
Going to be a lot of folks crushed by this one
He didn't finish high school and in 1954, at the age of 20, he enlisted in the Army. He hoped to avoid going overseas by playing military baseball with soldiers who had played in the minors or in college. Since, Uecker hadn't yet done either, he lied. According to a USA Today article in 1997, he said he had played at Marquette, given that it was a college in his native Milwaukee. "Marquette didn't have a team, but they never checked," he said.
This was peak story-telling Bob:
https://milwaukeerecord.com/sports/remembering-the-time-bob-uecker-encountered-a-furry-convention-in-pittsburgh/
Uecker opined thusly: "They kind of gather in a huge fur ball. You can't really see the leader, he's in the middle. You can hear him mumbling and talking, trying to talk, kind of like a—swing and a foul by Braun—kind of like a mom with a cubby, trying to keep it warm.
"That's no big deal. That's what they feel," Uecker later continued, still discussing the furry convention. "They wear animal costumes because they feel a little animal-ish. There's a strike. I've felt that way myself a couple of times. I haven't dressed up for it. I've worn a fig leaf or two."
This one is hitting me really hard.
I remember how I felt when Ernie Harwell died. You all have my sympathy and empathy.
I worked with his daughter back in 1979, have sat around many campfires listening to him calling the games. WTMJ was so easy to pick up all over the state no matter what state park we were in.
"Uecker didn't finish high school and in 1954, at the age of 20, he enlisted in the Army. He hoped to avoid going overseas by playing military baseball with soldiers who had played in the minors or in college. At the time he had done neither, so he made up a college and lied. He claimed he had played at Marquette, given that it was a college in his native Milwaukee. "Marquette didn't have a team, but they never checked," he said.13 He played at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri, and later at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, where he teamed with shortstop and future Cardinals teammate Dick Groat."
https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/bob-uecker/
Sad day for the city of Milwaukee and the sport of baseball.
Quote from: GoldenEagles03 on January 16, 2025, 11:25:02 AM"Uecker didn't finish high school and in 1954, at the age of 20, he enlisted in the Army. He hoped to avoid going overseas by playing military baseball with soldiers who had played in the minors or in college. At the time he had done neither, so he made up a college and lied. He claimed he had played at Marquette, given that it was a college in his native Milwaukee. "Marquette didn't have a team, but they never checked," he said.13 He played at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri, and later at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, where he teamed with shortstop and future Cardinals teammate Dick Groat."
https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/bob-uecker/
This exact quote was posted 5 posts above yours.
One of those rare sports figures where I don't know if there was anyone who didn't like, much less hated, Uecker. A combination of his personality, his influence on the culture of broadcasting, and his varied work away from the Brewers. Just a rare breed and total legend.
I'll never forget meeting a girl in Chicago in my 20s who for some random reason LOVED Mr. Belvedere reruns as a kid. Major League was on a TV in the background of a day drinking party of some sort and she goes "oh, its the dad from Mr Belvedere!" She had absolutely NO CLUE that Uecker was an actual announcer and thought he was just a bit actor from the 80s.
I was at MU during the heyday of Bambi's Bombers and Harvey's Wallbangers; listened to many Brewers games then. I also always got a kick out of him when he was on with Carson.
"Legend" is used far too often, but he truly is a broadcasting legend.
Appearing on over 100 Tonight Shows, Carson referred to Uke as the best natural comedian he ever saw.
This ESPN Obit is well done:
https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/43439250/beloved-brewers-broadcaster-bob-uecker-dies-age-90
A life well lived; I will miss him.
Quote from: MU82 on January 16, 2025, 02:42:01 PMI was at MU during the heyday of Bambi's Bombers and Harvey's Wallbangers; listened to many Brewers games then. I also always got a kick out of him when he was on with Carson.
"Legend" is used far too often, but he truly is a broadcasting legend.
On Carson talking about the pic where he held hands with Bob Gibson.
https://x.com/Super70sSports/status/1879958518977155179
A few excellent videos ..
My wife reminded me of a story from her childhood of her one encounter with Uecker.
When she was very young, she was at a Brewers event of some kind with her family and there was a crowd of grown men crowding around Uecker to get baseballs signed. With her father's encouragement, she took her own baseball and walked up to the group and just stuck her hand out between these guys and held the ball towards Bob. Without really being able to see him, she felt him take the ball and return it to her signed and she yelled out a thank you. At hearing what was probably a tiny voice among these guys, Uecker stopped everything and told them all to move back and part ways. Then he stepped right up to her and took a moment to give her an appreciative face-to-face you're welcome.
It was just a small little gesture, but to this day it is one of her best and oldest memories. He wasn't just funny, he was a great human being.
Bud Selig brought baseball back to Wisconsin.
For that, the Selig family should be forever revered in Wisconsin.
Bob Uecker kept it in Wisconsin.
No matter how bad, or good, the team was, Uecker was always there. He was more than a radio voice. He WAS the Brewers!
Quote from: dgies9156 on January 17, 2025, 02:40:46 PMBud Selig brought baseball back to Wisconsin.
For that, the Selig family should be forever revered in Wisconsin.
Bob Uecker kept it in Wisconsin.
lol. No he didn't. Cmon...
Quote from: The Sultan on January 17, 2025, 02:50:50 PMlol. No he didn't. Cmon...
If George Petak didn't flip his vote from his previous positon of opposition and the WI State Senate didn't approve the sales tax on the five counties in SE Wisconsin there's likely no Miller Park and the Brewers leave, regardless of Ueck.
Quote from: Billy Hoyle on January 17, 2025, 02:59:42 PMIf George Petak didn't flip his vote from his previous positon of opposition and the WI State Senate didn't approve the sales tax on the five counties in SE Wisconsin there's likely no Miller Park and the Brewers leave, regardless of Ueck.
And George passed away on XMas Eve
Gang:
I agree with you on George Petak and his political courage. The stadium proved good for the area and it didn't take away from any essential needs.
But we never would have come to Petak's vote if it hadn't been for Bob Uecker. Even when the team was pretty bad -- and there were some years where, well, yikes -- Mr. Uecker kept the people of Milwaukee and Wisconsin engaged in Brewer baseball, almost as much as they were in the Packers off-season.
There are three people who define major league baseball in Milwaukee -- Robin Yount, Paul Molitor and Bob Uecker. Period.
Quote from: dgies9156 on January 17, 2025, 04:02:07 PMGang:
I agree with you on George Petak and his political courage. The stadium proved good for the area and it didn't take away from any essential needs.
But we never would have come to Petak's vote if it hadn't been for Bob Uecker. Even when the team was pretty bad -- and there were some years where, well, yikes -- Mr. Uecker kept the people of Milwaukee and Wisconsin engaged in Brewer baseball, almost as much as they were in the Packers off-season.
There are three people who define major league baseball in Milwaukee -- Robin Yount, Paul Molitor and Bob Uecker. Period.
I love Uecker and he should be celebrated and given his flowers. But I think tailgating is more to credit for interest in the Brewers than Bob Uecker, at least in my fandom/lifetime.
Quote from: dgies9156 on January 17, 2025, 04:02:07 PMGang:
I agree with you on George Petak and his political courage. The stadium proved good for the area and it didn't take away from any essential needs.
But we never would have come to Petak's vote if it hadn't been for Bob Uecker. Even when the team was pretty bad -- and there were some years where, well, yikes -- Mr. Uecker kept the people of Milwaukee and Wisconsin engaged in Brewer baseball, almost as much as they were in the Packers off-season.
There are three people who define major league baseball in Milwaukee -- Robin Yount, Paul Molitor and Bob Uecker. Period.
Just stop. It was a bad take and doubling down on it is just not smart.
Uecker saved America in the 1860s. People don't give him enough credit for that.
More importantly, he invented frozen custard.
Quote from: dgies9156 on January 17, 2025, 04:02:07 PMGang:
There are three people who define major league baseball in Milwaukee -- Robin Yount, Paul Molitor and Bob Uecker. Period.
Bud Selig is #1 on the list (despite the fact that he gave us Bush as president & was generally a cheap, bad owner). Uecker may be a distant 2nd.
Is it bad I don't know the Selig/Bush tie-in?
A very nice tribute at the Bucks game to Uecker. I'm sure a similar one will be at the MU game tomorrow.
Also, I love Uecker, but to say he kept baseball in Milwaukee is a huge exaggeration.
Quote from: Jockey on January 17, 2025, 05:45:55 PMBud Selig is #1 on the list (despite the fact that he gave us Bush as president & was generally a cheap, bad owner). Uecker may be a distant 2nd.
Correct
Quote from: cheebs09 on January 17, 2025, 10:27:50 PMIs it bad I don't know the Selig/Bush tie-in?
A very nice tribute at the Bucks game to Uecker. I'm sure a similar one will be at the MU game tomorrow.
Also, I love Uecker, but to say he kept baseball in Milwaukee is a huge exaggeration.
Selig and Reinsdorf had promised the job of Baseball Commissioner to Bush when he was still the Texas owner. When the opening arose, Selig decided he wanted it himself rather than give it to Bush. Bush then turned to politics.
Anyone else find it a little odd that we haven't heard at all from Robin Yount?
Uecker loved to see his club on the diamond with all of his heart, bower none.
Quote from: MUfan12 on January 22, 2025, 04:55:39 PMAnyone else find it a little odd that we haven't heard at all from Robin Yount?
Not really. He's a very private person. He was one of Uke's closest friends so I'd expect him to speak at the funeral.
There was a moment of silence for Ueck at the admirals game last night. They then played all of his old commercials that he did for the Admirals during every stoppage. I had completely forgotten about those commercials but as soon as one started I remembered exactly how it was going to go. They still hold up!
Quote from: TAMU, Knower of Ball on January 23, 2025, 08:40:15 AMThere was a moment of silence for Ueck at the admirals game last night. They then played all of his old commercials that he did for the Admirals during every stoppage. I had completely forgotten about those commercials but as soon as one started I remembered exactly how it was going to go. They still hold up!
Watching the YouTube comps of them, I totally agree. If not for the obvious video quality differences, they could be a few years old. Its the goofy/borderline corner local ad spot humor that doesn't really age out and still gets chuckles.
But again, its the charm and ability of someone truly legitimately f-ing hilarious like Uecker was. Had a Rickles-esque streak to him with how he transcended generations with his humor (even the super crude stuff that people like Norm alluded to.)
Quote from: tower912 on January 22, 2025, 05:07:22 PMUecker loved to see his club on the diamond with all of his heart, bower none.
Up to your usual tricks, I see.
Quote from: barfolomew on January 23, 2025, 04:05:07 PMUp to your usual tricks, I see.
Going alone on the dad jokes.
Haven't heard any stories of Al & Ueck... Find it hard to believe those two wouldn't have crossed paths.