The Milwaukee Brewers announced the passing of Hall of Fame broadcaster Bob Uecker on Thursday. Unbeknownst to all save only a select few he trusted, Uecker had been battling lung cancer for two years. His loss is tremendously felt in the baseball world, as many current and former players, both those played for the Brewers and those that did not, have expressed their deep sense of loss with his passing.
Indeed, Uecker earned the moniker “Mr. Baseball” for a reason. Harry Carey never got it. Vin Scully never got it. But Uecker did.
And while those legendary Hall of Fame broadcasters are worthy of every accolade they received and every word of praise printed about them, there just something different about Uecker. And it is that something that makes his loss hurt more for Brewers fans.
Bob Uecker Was the Voice of Summer, Family Gatherings, and the Childhoods of Milwaukee Brewers Fans
Undoubtedly, Uecker’s passing is felt hardest by his closest friends and family, the people who really knew him. For many Brewers fans, though, he was so so much more than just an iconic radio broadcaster who happened to call the games of our favorite team.
It is not a secret that baseball in Milwaukee is just different. While every ballpark and every team have their own traditions that make them special and beloved to their fanbases, there is just something about tailgating in the parking lot at American Family Field (or at County Stadium, back in the day) with friends and family as one anticipates a Brewers baseball game.
And whether it was on a car radio or a phone or just a portable stereo, oftentimes, Uecker’s voice was heard.
But even if one was not at the ballpark, Uecker’s unique and iconic voice became the soundtrack of summers spent outside, long car rides across the state, or quiet evenings around a fire.
Sure, we wanted to hear the Brewers play. But we also wanted to hear Uecker’s call, his stories that never seemed to get old no matter how many times he told them, and his everlasting optimism.
Bob Uecker Connected Generations of Milwaukee Brewers Fans
Baseball, perhaps more than any other sport in the United States, is often one that parents and children bond over. The NFL and NBA are the favorite leagues of millions, sure, but only baseball can bring fans a game just about every day for six months out of the year, and longer if one listens to Spring Training games.
For Brewers fans, that meant that Uecker was a daily part of our lives for a good six-to-eight months out of the year.
And for many, his voice will live on forever in memories of listening to games with grandparents and parents. So many of us were introduced to the sport of baseball by our dads or moms turning the dial on the radio to pick up the Brewers broadcast.
Early memories of playing with grandparents who were still able to play are voiced by Uecker calling Brewers baseball games in the background. Memories of visiting ailing loved ones, who still wanted to listen to Milwaukee baseball, contain Uecker’s always joyful call.
For those of us who are parents, introducing our kids to baseball in the same manner, by listening to Uecker, and bringing them to games where his voice was aired throughout the concourse, where kids could visit and look up at his statue, are memories that we will cherish forever.
Bob Uecker was so much more than a radio announcer to Brewers fans. He was family. He was the voice of millions of childhoods and gave people of multiple generations a shared memory.
And for that, the people of Milwaukee are eternally grateful.
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