The Milwaukee Brewers announced today that the legendary broadcaster Bob Uecker has died passed away at the age of 90. For millions of fans, both the Brewers and the entire baseball world, this is a tremendous loss. Uecker was more than just a radio voice. He was the voice of summer, of undying optimism, of everything that was good in the city of Milwaukee.
But to those who played the game, he was more than that. He was an icon, a bridge to baseball’s legendary past, a mentor and, most importantly, a friend.
It’s just a reminder that when Pittsburgh Pirates rookie Paul Skenes first visited American Family Field last season, he had just one request: to meet Uecker:
Now THIS is iconic 👇⁰⁰During his first trip to MKE, Paul Skenes asked to meet 🐐, Bob Uecker⁰#ThisIsMyCrew X @Pirates pic.twitter.com/lskb9Wa34p
— Milwaukee Breweries (@Brewers) July 9, 2024
To be sure, Skenes is probably holding that moment even closer now that the Hall of Fame baseball player’s voice from Milwaukee is gone. But as much as that moment meant and probably still means to him, current and former Brewers players have more stories that could be considered literally life-changing.
Former Milwaukee Brewers players share their stories about Bob Uecker
In the wake of news of Uecker’s death (from lung cancer, which he had quietly 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
Carlos Gomez is fondly remembered by many fans for his Gold Glove save and speed on the base paths. It was electrifying and stimulating in so many ways. However, when he first came to the Brewers in exchange for shortstop JJ Hardy, he struggled and wasn’t sure he could make it in baseball.
Until he talked to Uecker:
Emotional @RealCarlosGomez @Four3rTeen I wanted to share how much Bob Uecker meant to him. Gomez says Uecker’s encouragement helped him get through his early struggles in Milwaukee.
“At least I had the opportunity to share with him how important he was to me in my career.” pic.twitter.com/YFoBwN4mTV
— AJ Bayatpour (@AJBayatpour) January 17, 2025
“It’s hard to talk about it… at least I had the opportunity to talk to him about how important he was to me and my career.
“Because in the beginning of Milwaukee, I had a hard time. And he came and grabbed my arm and said, “Hey, kid.” Everything will be fine. You are a star. And I always change my mood, I always try to think positively and believe in myself that I am a Big League player. And this was the guy who made me feel that way.
And that’s why it’s so painful. But at least I have to tell him how much I love him.
Jonathan Lucroy
Former Brewers catcher Jonathan Lucroy shared several posts with various stories about Uecker. Fans may remember the legend that the Hall of Fame broadcaster deceived baseball card photographers by pretending he was a left-handed hitter when he was actually a right-handed hitter.
As it turns out, Lucroy did the same thing during his football career, after hearing this story from Uecker:
You know the story about Ueck hitting the left side of his baseball card? He gave me an idea. Congratulations to him because the photographers didn’t capture 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 the players on air, Ueck declined because he knew how difficult the game was:
We had many conversations where Ueck and I told me how important it was for him to never attack players on air. He always told me I was positive and never spoke negatively about another player. He said there are announcers who…
— Jonathan Lucroy (@JLucroy20) January 17, 2025
Uecker has taken many players fishing on Lake Michigan, and Lucroy’s story is a perfect example of Uecker’s humor:
I went fishing with Ueck on his boat on a day off early in my career. I was nervous and didn’t know him for long. I love fishing and Ueck invited me to go with him.
Anyway, I caught a lake trout and brought it close to the boat. He handed me his net so I could bring…
— Jonathan Lucroy (@JLucroy20) January 16, 2025
As fans know, Uecker starred in the hit comedy Major League. According to Lucroy, the Brewers voice never watched the film:
I once asked Ueck about the “Major League.” How he enjoyed filming it. Charlie Sheen and so on. He told me that he directed his lines and never looked at them afterwards.
I said, “Wait, you’ve never seen this movie?” He said no, he never watched it. I thought he was playing with me, but…
— Jonathan Lucroy (@JLucroy20) January 17, 2025
Mike Cameron
Former Brewers center fielder Mike Cameron was an older veteran on some newborn Brewers teams. As such, he often had the honor of talking to Uecker and other senior players on this topic:
We lost a great player today in “Mr. Baseball” Ueck! My 2 years in Milwaukee were filled with laughter every slow evening in the “old heads corner” Cameron, Counsell, Kendall, drinking Miller High Life beer, talking and sharing stories. I’ve never heard him scold a player. One of…
— MIKE CAMERON (@_mcameron44) January 17, 2025
As you can see, Cameron also pointed out what Lucroy did: Uecker never criticized any player.
Jon Axford
Many fans fondly recall Jon Axford’s low inning, which nonetheless dominated as the Brewers approached. You can forget when he tried to get back to Milwaukee but blew out his shoulder. In one of the most complex periods of his career, Uecker brought him joy and clarity:
When I returned to Milwaukee for that one disastrous game in 2021, after bruising my elbow and walking off the mound, I was emotional for several days and didn’t know what to do. Until one afternoon, Bob and I were talking in the stadium dining room… 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 replied, “No, you know! Nobody knows what it’s like to be there! How much did you put in? They’re not like us, Axy! People just don’t understand it!” He was excited (maybe there was a lot more swearing, haha). He kept walking. I listened. He was still a player at heart. Every day. He loved the game and the players in it. When he talked to you on that level, he was your teammate. His emotion, passion and words that day spoke to me more than anyone else. This led to surgery and an 18-month journey to get on the pitch and challenge one last time. He was right!
He personally called me Axy…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. A huge loss for baseball and the great city of Milwaukee. We will all miss him. I love you Uecky
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