Bob Uecker, longtime Milwaukee Brewers broadcaster and beloved baseball personality, died Thursday at age 90.
The Brewers announced Uecker’s family revealed he had battled small cell lung cancer since early 2023.
“Saying goodbye to Bob shakes us all. He was so much more than a Milwaukee Brewers icon. He was a national treasure.”
Known as “Mr. Baseball,” Uecker spent six years as an MLB player before becoming one of the sport’s most recognizable voices. His broadcasting career with the Brewers spanned over 50 years.
Uecker’s wit and self-deprecating humor made him a cultural icon beyond baseball, particularly through his role as Harry Doyle in the “Major League” movies.
Memorable Quotes and Moments
Uecker’s most famous line came from “Major League,” where his character called wild pitcher Rick Vaughn’s errant throws: “Just a bit outside. He tried the corner and missed.”
His broadcasting style mixed sharp baseball insight with comedic timing. During one particularly rough Cleveland game in “Major League,” Uecker delivered the memorable line: “One hit, that’s all we got? One goddamn hit?”
About his own playing career, which produced a .200 batting average over six seasons, Uecker quipped: “I knew when my career was over. In 1965 my baseball card came out with no picture.”
During the Cardinals’ 1964 pennant run, Uecker played in 40 games. He later joked on “The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson”: “People don’t know this but I helped the Cardinals win the pennant. I came down with hepatitis. The trainer injected me with it.”
Bob Uecker's appearance on Johnny Carson were always must see TV.
Here he is on The Tonight Show, going over photos of his career, including the famous Bob Gibson photo. 😂 pic.twitter.com/gMkX5qFddL
— Danny Deraney (@DannyDeraney) January 16, 2025
His “Major League” character perfectly captured the frustration of longtime Cleveland fans with the promotion: “Free admission to anyone who was actually alive the last time the Indians won a pennant.”
Beyond his humor, Uecker called some of the Brewers’ most significant moments, including Robin Yount’s 3,000th hit and the team’s playoff appearances.
His career earned him the Ford C. Frick Award from the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2003, recognizing his contributions to baseball broadcasting.
