Speaking of success: Uecker’s humor camouflaged skill, wit

Bob Uecker made a career out of humor born from his own failure.

But few have tasted the baseball success – both on and off the diamond – of the beloved Milwaukee Brewers broadcaster and 2003 Ford C. Frick Award winner.

Uecker, 90, passed away on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025. He leaves behind a legacy of laughter as “Mr. Baseball,” but also one of excellence.

“When you talk about the Hall of Fame, that’s the pinnacle,” said Uecker when he was informed that he was the recipient of the 2003 Frick Award, presented annually by the Hall of Fame for major contributions to baseball broadcasting. “It’s as high as you can go.”

Uecker’s journey to the Hall of Fame began Jan. 26, 1934, when he was born in Milwaukee. As a schoolboy athlete, he caught the eyes of Milwaukee Braves scouts – who signed him to a contract in 1956. Six years later, Uecker made his big league debut, appearing in 33 games as Milwaukee’s reserve catcher in 1962.

Over the next six seasons, Uecker became a respected backup who appeared in 40 games for the 1964 World Champion St. Louis Cardinals. He retired after the 1967 season having appeared in 297 big league games with the Braves, Cardinals and Phillies.

After his playing career, a meeting with trumpeter Al Hirt led to Uecker appearing on stage at Hirt’s nightclub in Atlanta in 1969. Hirt, impressed with Uecker’s self-deprecating comedy, arranged an appearance on NBC’s “Tonight Show” with Johnny Carson. Uecker would make more than 60 return visits to the “Tonight Show” as one of Carson’s regular guests.

In 1971, Uecker began broadcasting Milwaukee Brewers games, for whom he broadcast through the 2024 season. His skills in the booth quickly brought him to the attention of ABC, which hired him for Monday Night Baseball broadcasts. Uecker parlayed that celebrity into commercial work.

“He takes a lot of pride in what he does,” said Hall of Famer Robin Yount. “That’s why he’s so good.”

In the 1980s, Uecker authored the successful autobiography “Catcher in the Wry” before branching out into more television as George Owens in the ABC sitcom Mr. Belvedere, which was in production for 122 episodes. Then in 1990, Uecker appeared in the movie Major League as announcer Harry Doyle, launching the catchphrase “Juuuust a bit outside…” into the national lexicon.

In total, Uecker worked in baseball for more than 60 years.

“I love doing what I do,” said Uecker upon his 50th season in baseball. “And I never make fun of players, no matter which team they’re on, because I know what it’s like to get your butt beat day after day.”