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“Mr. Baseball,” Bob Uecker Photo Gallery
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Bob Uecker, RIP
“The fact is that Uecker, despite all his self-deprecating talk, was good enough to be a major leaguer, something that 99.99 percent of us will never be.” –Baseball Eccentrics.
The entire baseball world was saddened to learn that “Mr. Baseball,” Bob Uecker, passed away yesterday January 16, 2025. Bob died at his home in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, aged 90, after a battle with lung cancer.
Bob Uecker, by his own admission – and to put it mildly – had a rather mediocre six-season major league baseball career mainly as a backup catcher (1962-1967). But his lack luster achievements between the white lines provided plenty of fodder for his unique brand of home-spun, self-deprecating wit. It served up the raw material for Uke’s often-repeated jokes, many of which became humorous staples throughout the baseball world. Here’s a good example:
“I’m batting against the Dodgers in Milwaukee. They led 2-1 in the bottom of the ninth, bases loaded, two out, and the pitcher had a full count on me. I looked over at the Dodgers’ dugout and they were all in street clothes.”
Following his playing days, Bob entered into a broadcasting career that spanned 54 seasons. Over his many years in the Brewers radio booth, he evolved into one of baseball’s most beloved personalities. Bob would be the first to admit that his playing skills would never have gotten him into the Hall of Fame; but in 2003, he was a recipient of the Ford Frick Award and now has a plaque in Cooperstown.
He became a regular fixture on late-night talk shows in the 1970s and 80s, with over 100 appearances on the Johnny Carson Tonight Show. [Click here to see one of Uke’s hilarious guest appearances on the Tonight Show] He also had an acting career which included the role of George Owns in the sit-com, Mr. Belvedere, and as play-by-play announcer Harry Doyle in the film Major League and its two sequels.
Bob Uecker may very well have been the funniest man ever to lace up spikes. He was one of those guys that no matter what he said, it just cracked you up. So let’s pay a tribute to Uke with a sampling of some of his funniest quips and one-liners. Even if you‘ve heard some of them before, they’re still funny!
Catching Fly Balls…With a Tuba??
But before that, check out the photo below. That’s Uke attempting to catch fly balls…with a tuba! That’s something only Uke could pull off! In the caption I found with the photo, it said Uke was trying to “loosen things up” before Game Two of the 1964 World Series between the Cardinals and Yankees at Busch Stadium. So he strapped on a tuba during batting practice, walked to the outfield, and proceeded to shag fly balls with it.
Anyway, here’s a few choice quotes from “Mr. Baseball,” Bob Uecker:
- “I remember I signed with the Milwaukee Braves for a $3000 bonus. That bothered my dad at the time. We were a poor family. He didn’t know where he was going to come up with that kind of dough!”
- “They said I was such a great prospect that they were sending me to winter ball to sharpen up. When I got off the plane I was in Greenland!”
- “In 1963 I was named the Minor League Player of the Year. The only problem is that it was my second year in the Bigs.”
- “My highest hit total was 43 in 1966. I had slumps that lasted into the winter.”
- Commenting on his three top career highlights: “Let’s see, I once got an intentional walk from Sandy Koufax. And once I got out of a rundown against the Mets. In a preseason intra-squad game in 1967, I walked with the bases loaded to drive in the winning run.”
- The above quote notwithstanding: “I once hit a home run off Koufax. I always thought that home run might keep Sandy from getting into the Hall of Fame!”
- “I didn’t receive a lot of awards as a player, but once they had a “Bob Uecker Day Off” in Philly.”
- “Once I looked at the third base coach for a signal and he turned his back on me.”
- “Sporting goods companies would pay me not to endorse their products.”
- Speaking about Ted Williams: “We had similar styles in that we both used a bat. I was more of a choke hitter. I choked every time I was up there.”
- Uecker was the backup catcher for Joe Torre with the Braves. Once when Torre was hurt and went on the disabled list, Uecker commented: “Joe’s injury almost cost me my career…they had to play me!”
Uke’s Career Numbers (If you insist!)
Oh, by the way, in case you’re interested, here’s Uke’s rather “unimpressive” career stats. As I said, he didn’t make the Hall of Fame because of his batting prowess! But we love him anyway:
The 6’ 1”, 190-pound catcher played six seasons in the majors (1962-’67) for the Milwaukee Braves (1962-’63), St. Louis Cardinals (1964-’65), Philadelphia Phillies (1966-’67), and Atlanta Braves (1967). Uke hit .200 with 14 homers and 74 RBIs. He was a member of the 1964 World Series Champion Cardinals, although he did’t play in the World Series. He’s been the play-by-play announcer for Milwaukee since 1971.
And then there’s the classic Miller Lite commercial from the early 1990s, possibly the funniest commercial ever made. It included such memorable lines like “Bingo-o,” “Front Ro-o-w!” and gave birth to the phrase, “the Uecker seats.” Click on this link to see it. It’s still hysterical even after all these years!
Here’s a few nice words about Uke from the book, Baseball Eccentrics:
“Lest you think that Uecker is little more than Rodney Dangerfield in cleats, think again. The reference to Uecker as “Mr. Baseball” is intended to be ironic, but he actually does represent baseball’s Everyman. Here is a ballplayer whom we can identify with. Few of us can imagine being Ted Williams or Alex Rodriguez or Manny Ramirez, but we can all imagine being Bob Uecker.”
Rest in Peace, Uke…thanks for all the fun and enjoyment you’ve added to the game and to our lives. You will be missed. Your likes may never be seen again.
If you have a favorite Bob Uecker story or joke, please share it in the comments section below.
Gary Livacari
Photo Credits: All from Google search
Information: Excerpts edited from the Bob Uecker Wikipedia page; Stats from Baseball Reference.com
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Nice tribute Gary. I always thought that he was good for the game.
He must be in the front row.
☁️☁️☁️ R.I.P., Mr. Baseball ⚾️
In 1967, after being traded from Philadelphia for Gene Oliver, Uecker was Phil Niekro’s personal catcher with the Braves. Niekro credited Uecker with giving him confidence in throwing his knuckeball. Niekro figured that once the knuckler left his hand, it was Uecker’s problem. That season Uecker led the league in passed balls with 27 and errors with 11 despite playing in only 76 games. He had 25 passed balls and 9 errors in his 59 games with the Braves.