A sea of cheers surged through the American Family Field early Tuesday at the Milwaukee Brewers’ home opener. The applause, the chanting of “Ueck”, was in honor of a man much alike to an enduring pillar of the stadium, Bob Uecker. This legendary broadcaster, affectionately and popularly known as “Mr. Baseball”, made a special appearance on the video board, his familiar visage rekindling a mixture of nostalgia and admiration in the hearts of Brewers fans.
The 90-year-old veteran, however, did more than just show his face on the screen. The aroma of fresh popcorn and the chord of cracking bats hung in the air as Uecker settled back into his play-by-play responsibilities for the Brewers’ match against the Minnesota Twins. This marked the beginning of his 54th season of weaving the tale of Brewers baseball on the radio. Although recent years have seen him stick mostly to home games, his voice remains as captivating as ever.
Brewers Principal Owner Mark Attanasio shared before Tuesday’s game, “Ueck is very focused on always being at a Hall of Fame level. He doesn’t want to just be in the booth to be in the booth.” He further revealed Uecker’s commitment to maintain control of his role despite suggestions of reducing his workload or swapping roles with co-broadcaster Jeff Levering. But as Attanasio added on a poignant note, Uecker would “see how it goes this year.”
Rick Schlesinger, Brewers president of business operations, reiterated the same sentiment during a virtual chat a week before, mentioning that Ueck would approach his commitments after the opener on a day-by-day basis.
The romance between Uecker and Brewers baseball started way back in 1971. Beyond his narration of events, he engaged with players and coaches on the field and in locker rooms, and became a significant part of their victories – the electric celebration when the Brewers reclaimed their NL Central title last year being an unforgettable instance.
Christian Yelich, the Brewers outfielder and 2018 NL MVP, spoke highly of Uecker, describing his mere presence to be uplifting and motivational. “Anytime you hear from him, whether it’s via text or just seeing him in person at the ballpark, I think it makes everybody’s day better,” he said.
Uecker’s tryst with baseball began in 1962, spanning a playing career from the Milwaukee/Atlanta Braves through Saint Louis Cardinals, to the Philadelphia Phillies. Post retirement, he entered the broadcasting realm, where he continued to make a mark, transitioning from a familiar face to a national celebrity. His charm and humor transcended television, finding a place in late-night talk shows, commercials, and even popular culture including the movie “Major League” and the sitcom “Mr. Belvedere”.
Among the many heartwarming anecdotes shared during the day, Uecker playfully recalled starting his major league playing career “in a Little League park.”
Two statues erected in his honor stand testimony to the love Uecker commands in Milwaukee, his name synonymous with Brewers baseball. Attanasio declared, “Uecker’s in the Hall of Fame as a broadcaster for a reason. He’s exceptional at his craft.”
As poignant as it is, the future remains unknown. Yet Attanasio assured, “I feel it’s his booth and he can do what he wants in that booth.” As for the Brewer players and their loving fans, a season without Uecker behind the microphone is beyond imagination. “It wouldn’t feel right if he wasn’t around,” Yelich resonated, summarizing the unexpressed emotions of the stadium on the home opener’s eve.
