Bob Uecker is a legend in baseball and beyond. After retiring from playing the game, he became a radio broadcaster for the Milwaukee Brewers, where he’s been the primary voice of the team since 1971.
When the team wins, they wait for him to be a part of the festivities.
“I played the game. So, I know how hard it is,” Uecker told Jon Wertheim for a CBS Sunday Morning feature that ran this Sunday. “I know how tough it is to play this game. The game celebrations, when we win, that’s a big part of it, man, to be able to walk into that clubhouse and be with ’em.”
Bob Uecker, a former MLB player, has spent over 50 years as the Brewers' beloved announcer, turning his on-field struggles into comedy gold and building a second career as an actor and entertainer. https://t.co/H1eWdvh9oJ pic.twitter.com/FSOBlXNRzS
— CBS Sunday Morning 🌞 (@CBSSunday) October 26, 2024
But how long will this go on?
Uecker has seen a lot of baseball, but not as many playoffs as he would like. But he came close this season. Earlier this month, the Brewers lost in a winner-take-all wild-card series against the New York Mets. Everyone on their side was heartbroken.
Three-time All-Star and former NL MVP Christian Yelich was seen teary-eyed after exchanging words with Uecker. When the broadcaster signed off that night, he didn’t hold back how he felt.
“Well, New York, down. They did it,” he said. “And The Crew will, uh, will have it end here tonight.” “I’m telling you. That one — had some sting on it.”
Bob Uecker felt this loss.
“Well, New York, down. They did it. And The Crew will uh, will have it end, here tonight.”
“I’m telling you. That one — had some sting on it.”pic.twitter.com/GUfHasorDz
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) October 4, 2024
The franchise was established in 1969 as the Seattle Pilots, moving to Milwaukee in 1970 and taking the Brewers’ name. But they have yet to win a National League pennant or a World Series. And this loss hit extra hard.
Uecker, 91, had season after season of talented teams come in and out of the clubhouse. While there are people wondering if he called his final game after that sorrowful sign off, Uecker hasn’t made a decision yet.
“I don’t know what I would do, you know, with no more. If I think of no more baseball for me, I don’t know what that would be like, you know?” Uecker said. “I got out of high school and I joined the Army. And I signed a baseball contact. That’s been it, really!”
[CBS News]