The Milwaukee Brewers announced today that legendary broadcaster Bob Uecker has passed away at the age of 90. For millions of fans, both of the Brewers and all around baseball, it is a tremendous loss. Uecker was so much more than just a radio voice. He was the voice of summer, of undying optimism, of everything that is good about the city of Milwaukee.
But to those that played the game, he was even more than that. He was an icon, a bridge to baseball’s legendary past, a mentor, and most importantly, a friend.
One only has to recall that, just last season, when Pittsburgh Pirates rookie Paul Skenes visited American Family Field for the first time, he had but one request: to meet Uecker:
Now THAT is iconic 👇⁰⁰During his first trip to MKE, Paul Skenes requested to meet the 🐐, Bob Uecker⁰#ThisIsMyCrew x @Pirates pic.twitter.com/lskb9Wa34p
— Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) July 9, 2024
To be certain, Skenes likely holds this moment even closer now that the Hall of Fame voice of Milwaukee baseball is gone. But as much as that moment meant and probably still means to him, current and former Brewers players have more stories that can be considered literally lifechanging.
Former Milwaukee Brewers Players Share Their Stories of Bob Uecker
In the aftermath of the news of Uecker’s passing (from lung cancer, which he silently battled for two years), former Brewers players took to social media to share their favorite memories of him and how he impacted their careers.
Carlos Gomez
Many fans fondly remember Carlos Gomez for his Gold Glove defense and speed on the base paths. He was electric and exciting in many ways. But he struggled when he first came to the Brewers in a trade for shortstop JJ Hardy, and he was not sure he would make it in baseball.
Until he talked to Uecker:
An emotional @RealCarlosGomez @Four3rTeen wanted to share how much Bob Uecker meant to him. Gomez says Uecker’s encouragement helped him get through early struggles in Milwaukee.
“At least I had the opportunity to share with him how important he was for me in my career.” pic.twitter.com/YFoBwN4mTV
— A.J. Bayatpour (@AJBayatpour) January 17, 2025
“It’s hard to talk about… at least I had to opportunity to talk to him about how important he was to me and my career.
“Because, I had early in Milwaukee a tough time. And he was the guy to come and grab my shoulder and say, ‘Hey kid. You’re going to be okay. You’re a star. And always, like, change my mood and always put a positive thought in my mind and believe in myself that I am a Big League player. And he was the guy who made me feel like that.
And that’s why it’s so painful. But at least I got to tell him how much I love him.”
Jonathan Lucroy
Former Brewers catcher Jonathan Lucroy shared several posts with different stories about Uecker. Fans may recall the legend that the Hall of Fame broadcaster used to trick photographers taking pictures for baseball cards by posing as if he was hitting left-handed when he was actually a right-handed hitter.
As it turns out, Lucroy did the same thing during his playing career after hearing that story from Uecker:
You guys know the story about Ueck batting lefty on his baseball card? He gave me the idea. Props to him because the photographers never caught it! pic.twitter.com/JPgAYoCyT2
— Jonathan Lucroy (@JLucroy20) January 17, 2025
Lucroy also posted about how Uecker approached the way broadcasters talk about players differently than others. While some will criticize players on the air, Ueck refused to because he knew how hard the game was:
There were many conversations Ueck and I had where he would tell me how it important it was to him to never crack on the players, on air. He always made a point to me about being positive and never speak bad about another player. He said there are announcers out there that will…
— Jonathan Lucroy (@JLucroy20) January 17, 2025
Uecker took many players out fishing on Lake Michigan, and Lucroy’s story is a perfect example of Ueck’s humor:
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
As fans know, Uecker starred in the hit comedy Major League. According to Lucroy, the voice of the Brewers never watched the film:
I asked Ueck one time about “Major League.” How he enjoyed filming it. Charlie Sheen, etc. He told me he ad libbed his lines and never watched it after.
I said “wait, you have never seen the movie?” He said no he had never watched it. I thought he was messing with me, but it…
— Jonathan Lucroy (@JLucroy20) January 17, 2025
Mike Cameron
Former Brewers centerfielder Mike Cameron was an older veteran on some young Brewers teams. As such, he often got the honor of chatting it up with Uecker and the other older players:
We lost a great one today in “Mr Baseball” Ueck! My 2 years in Milwaukee was filled with laughter every late nite in “old heads corner” Cameron, Counsell, Kendall drinking miller high life talking stories and sharing stories. Never heard him chastise a player once. One of the…
— MIKE CAMERON (@_mcameron44) January 17, 2025
As one can see, Cameron also pointed out what Lucroy did: Uecker never criticized a player.
Jon Axford
Many fans fondly remember Jon Axford’s brief by nonetheless dominant stretch as the Brewers closer. What may be forgotten is when he attempted a comeback with Milwaukee, but blew out his arm. In the midst of what was one of the hardest times of his career, Uecker brought him joy and clarity:
When I returned to Milwaukee for that one fateful game in 2021, after blowing out my elbow and walking off the mound, I was emotional and unsure of what to do for days. Until one afternoon, Bob and I chatted in the food room at the stadium… he asked what my plan was. I told him… https://t.co/IZktLb2FG5
— John Axford (@JohnAxford) January 16, 2025
When I told him I didn’t know what to do, he told me “No, you do know! No one knows what it’s like to be out there! How much you put in. They’re not like us Axy! People just don’t get it!” He was fired up (there may have been a lot more swearing haha). He kept going. I listened. He was still a player at heart. Every day. He loved the game and the players in it. When he spoke to you on this level he was your teammate. His emotion, passion, and words that day resonated with me more than anyone or anything else. It lead me to surgery and an 18 month journey just to get out there and pitch one last time. He was right!
He called me Axy in person…one of the only people in the game to ever call me that! So in turn, I would call him Uecky! He made you feel special. An undeniable character through and through. Irreplaceable. An immense loss to baseball and the wonderful city of Milwaukee. We’ll all miss him. Love you Uecky
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