Bob Uecker, born January 26, 1934, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, was a former Major League Baseball catcher who became a beloved sportscaster, comedian and actor. He passed away on January 16, 2025. Though he had a modest playing career from 1962 to 1967 with teams like the Milwaukee Brewers (previously Milwaukee Braves) and St. Louis Cardinals, Uecker achieved fame through his sharp wit and self-deprecating humor.
Since 1971, he was the iconic radio voice of the Milwaukee Brewers and received the Baseball Hall of Fame's Ford C. Frick Award, opens a new window in 2003. Uecker also gained popularity for his roles in the film Major League and the sequel, opens a new window as well as the sitcom "Mr. Belvedere," solidifying his reputation as "Mr. Baseball" and a cherished figure in American sports and entertainment, opens a new window.
Uecker's "Mr. Baseball" nickname, opens a new window was popularized in part by his frequent appearances on "The Tonight Show" with Johnny Carson during the 1970s and '80s, where his self-deprecating baseball stories and deadpan delivery made him a fan favorite. Carson himself began calling him "Mr. Baseball" as a humorous, ironic title, which stuck and eventually became a badge of honor. Some of those hilarious Tonight Show interviews can be viewed on YouTube.
Catcher in the Wry Bob Uecker’s 1982 memoir, co-written with Mickey Herskowitz. A delightfully self-deprecating and uproarious collection of tales from his days as a backup Major League catcher and his rise to broadcasting fame.
For those who weren't around yet, or those who don't remember it, the title of this blog was inspired by a classic 1984 commercial featuring Uecker.
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