Legendary Brewers play-by-play voice Bob Uecker reveals what keeps him going as a broadcaster at 90 years of age. Photo Credit: Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel/USA TODAY NETWORK Photo Credit: Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel/USA TODAY NETWORK
By Reice Shipley on

On Saturday, the Milwaukee Brewers celebrated becoming the first team in the MLB to clinch a postseason birth. But while the moment was supposed to be a joyous one for the franchise, some were soured to the news after information emerged on Monday about the team locker room celebration, which included a letter to the team that was initially said to be from late Brewers broadcaster Bob Uecker.

During the team’s postgame celebration on Saturday night, Brewers manager Pat Murphy was handed a piece of paper by Brewers owner Mark Attanasio that Murphy read to the team. At the end of the letter, Murphy phrased it as if the letter had been written to the team by Uecker before his passing in January, in anticipation of the Brewers making the postseason in 2025.

“Howdy, boys. Never a doubt you would get this invitation,” said Murphy. “You did it by believing. Really miss you guys, and I wish I was there,” Murphy read. “The God Almighty picked me to be on his team up here, albeit I’m the third catcher.

“Told the big guy about you guys. You play hard every night. You’re not afraid to play for each other. He’s obviously very interested in the group with this uncommon goodness… The fact that you have the best record in baseball and the best road record in baseball caught his attention. I know you guys really don’t need me, but I’ve got to tell you, I’ll be on the headset every night watching. And don’t forget to take it all in, enjoy it, keep it light and believe in each other. — Bob Uecker.”

Obviously, the letter included several quotes that Uecker couldn’t possibly have known, given the fact that there was a quote about the team having the best road record in baseball. Brewers beat reporter Curt Hogg later revealed that the letter was not from Uecker and was instead written by Murphy as a way to include him in the team’s celebration.

Given how much Uecker loved the Brewers organization, he likely would have loved this letter in his honor.

However, the way Murphy initially phrased it was somewhat deceptive and led to complaints from several local media members.

“I can’t honestly be the only one that found this entire thing to be a little cringe,” wrote Andrew Wagner of 105.7 The Fan.

“Gotta be honest. I’m really not a fan of this,” wrote Evan Boller, a beat writer of UW-Whitewater’s women’s basketball team. “Figured certain parts were added on, but I thought Ueck at least wrote the general basis. Kinda weird now, especially considering how the social team posted it. Just do a speech about winning it for Ueck next time tbh.”

“Conveniently misleading the faithful to generate warm fuzzies that might lead to more tickets sold down the stretch. Be better, Brewers,” wrote Jeff Ash formerly of the Green Bay Press-Gazette.

It seems that the intent was in the right place, but perhaps next time, Murphy and the Brewers might want to consider honoring Uecker’s legacy differently.

About Reice Shipley

Reice Shipley is a staff writer for Comeback Media that graduated from Ithaca College with a degree in Sports Media. He previously worked at Barrett Sports Media and is a fan of all things Syracuse sports.

View all posts by Reice Shipley