Milwaukee Brewers play-by-play announcer Bob Uecker sits in the dugout during a workout at American Family Field in Milwaukee on Wednesday, April 6, 2022. Photo by Mike De Sisti / The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
By Jessica Kleinschmidt on

In August, three-time All-Star outfielder Christian Yelich announced he would undergo season-ending back surgery.

While it didn’t completely diminish the chances for the Milwaukee Brewers’ playoff chances, it certainly didn’t help things. But after the team ultimately was eliminated in a winner-take-all wild card series against the New York Mets, Yelich could be spotted heartbroken.

It wasn’t just because of the loss.

It was a conversation he had with legendary broadcaster Bob Uecker.

“It’s special every time he’s around,” Yelich told reporters, including Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s Curt Hogg. “You shouldn’t take it for granted. He’s the man. He means a lot to this place. Anybody who’s spent any kind of time here knows how special Bob is.”

Hogg noticed how red Yelich’s eyes were as he continued to speak.

“For me, it was talking to Ueck,” he said. “That’s kind of what — tough one. All the other stuff is what it is. It’s a tough way for your season to end, but talking to ‘Uecky’ one-on-one was tough.”

Uecker wasn’t expressing his feelings to just Yelich, however.

During the broadcast after the game with a headset on, Uecker made it known.

“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.”

[Milwaukee Journal Sentinel]

About Jessica Kleinschmidt

Jess is a baseball fan with Reno, Nev. roots residing in the Bay Area. She is the host of "Short and to the Point" and is also a broadcaster with the Oakland A's Radio Network. She previously worked for MLB.com and NBC Sports Bay Area.

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