Reactions to the death of 'Mr.
Baseball,' longtime Brewers broadcaster Bob Uecker
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 [January 17, 2025]
“It is with heavy hearts that we mourn the passing of Bob. To
many, he was an announcer and entertainer whose humor and voice
transcended the game, but to us he was so much more. Bob faced a
private battle with small cell lung cancer since early 2023, which
he met with the same strength and resilience that defined him. Even
in the face of this challenge, his enthusiasm for life was always
present, never allowing his spirit to falter. He brought joy to
countless listeners through his wit, charisma, and love for
baseball, Milwaukee, and all of Wisconsin, creating a legacy that
will forever be cherished. While his contributions to the game are
noteworthy, it is his kindness, humility, and love for family and
friends that we will hold closest to our hearts. We are grateful for
the outpouring of love and support during this difficult time as we
grieve and celebrate the man we were so lucky to call ours.” — The
family of Bob Uecker
___
“Today, we take on the heaviest of burdens. Today, we say goodbye to
our beloved friend, Bob Uecker. Ueck was the light of the Brewers,
the soundtrack of our summers, the laughter in our hearts, and his
passing is a profound loss. He was the heart and soul of Wisconsin
and a dear friend. Bob loved people; his presence warmed every room
and he had a way of welcoming all of us into his world as if we were
lifelong friends. Saying goodbye to Bob shakes us all. He was so
much more than a Milwaukee Brewers icon. He was a national treasure.
Bob entertained us with his words and storytelling, so it is no
surprise that his passing now leaves us at a loss for our own words
There is no describing the impact Ueck had on so many, and no words
for how much he was loved. We are left with a giant void in our
hearts, but also remember the laughter and joy he brought to our
lives throughout the years.” — Milwaukee Brewers
___
“I am heartbroken with the loss of my dear lifelong friend, Bob
Uecker. I can’t begin to describe how much he meant to me, let alone
what this loss is for Brewers fans, the state of Wisconsin and
countless others worldwide. Bob had the easiest way of making others
feel at ease, share a laugh and always left people feeling a little
better. Nobody was his equal. I am so grateful that Bob’s friendship
was a constant presence throughout most of my life. For over fifty
years, rarely did a day pass where we missed a conversation, a
sharing of stories, and countless laughs. That cannot be replaced
and is a giant loss, but I am lucky to have experienced that kind of
enduring friendship. Sue and I are thinking of Judy, Bob’s children
Sue Ann and Bob Jr., and all of Bob’s family during what is a
difficult time for all of us.” — MLB Commissioner Emeritus and
former Brewers owner Bud Selig
___
“While this onetime backup catcher was known for his
self-deprecating style, Bob Uecker was one of the game’s most
beloved figures throughout his 70-year career in baseball. In his
six years in his hometown of Milwaukee as well as St. Louis,
Philadelphia and Atlanta, Bob made lifelong friendships with many
Hall of Famers and other stars of the ’60s, and he was a member of
the 1964 World Series Champion Cardinals. Near the beginning of his
remarkable 54-year run in the Brewers’ radio booth, Bob’s trademark
wit became a staple of television and movies. Even with his
considerable success in Hollywood, Bob remained fiercely loyal to
baseball and to Milwaukee. He loved the game and used his platform
to help numerous charitable causes in his hometown and beyond.
“Bob was the genuine item: always the funniest person in any room he
was in, and always an outstanding ambassador for our National
Pastime. We are grateful for this baseball life like no other, and
we will never forget him. On behalf of Major League Baseball, I
extend my deepest sympathy to Bob’s family, his many friends across
the game, Brewers fans, and the countless baseball fans who admired
him." — MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred
___
“No words will really do you justice but I kind of think that’s how
it should be. To say you were one of one is probably an
understatement, the stories you could tell, the life you lived and
the way you impacted people. I always cherished our time together
and just being able to listen to you talk about your life and all
you’d seen. I remember you saying that no matter how much time you
have it still never feels like enough and that seems pretty true
today. You’d always thank me for my friendship but the truth of it
is the pleasure was all mine. I’ll miss you my friend.” — Milwaukee
Brewers outfielder and 2018 NL MVP Christian Yelich
___
“George Steinbrenner tried to hire him, I think more than once. He
could have left for an acting career. He could have left for a
comedy career. … He was a Wisconsin guy. He was true blue to
Wisconsin.” — Milwaukee Brewers principal owner Mark Attanasio
___
[to top of second column] |
Milwaukee Brewers' owner Mark Attanasio and wife Debbie celebrate
with broadcaster Bob Uecker after clinching the National League
Central Division after a baseball game against the St. Louis
Cardinals, Sept. 26, 2023, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
"Just his infectious energy and personality was so
unique — his ability to read a room, to light up a room, to tell a
story. The comedic timing is obviously well documented, but it’s
difficult to articulate the amount of joy he brought to each of our
lives, whether it was through a handshake, a hug, a nickname or a
story or a joke. He brought that energy every single day, for me in
20-plus years of knowing him." — former Brewers slugger and 2011 NL
MVP Ryan Braun
___
"When he would walk through the door, most of the times guys would
stop whatever they were doing and would wait for him to come around
because every time he comes in, he makes his way around the room to
make sure he says hello to everybody. It didn’t matter if it was the
guy that just got called up or what it was, he knew their name, he
knew everything about them. I think that’s kind of telling of who he
was. When he walks in the room, you stop what you were doing and
appreciate just having a conversation with him.” — Brewers pitcher
Brandon Woodruff
___
"In every moment of elation, there was no one better to have around
than Bob Uecker. In every low moment, there was no one whose arm
around the shoulder and uplifting words meant more than Bob Uecker’s.
Today we lost an absolute legend and treasured human being. RIP
Bob.” — Cincinnati Reds pitcher and former Brewers pitcher Brent
Suter
___
“I just saw Bob and Judy three weeks ago at their home in Menomonee
Falls, Wisconsin. I knew he was sick, which made the visit even more
important to me. Even with a walker and on pain meds, he was
cracking jokes and making me laugh. I’ll always treasure the
memories from ‘Mr. Belvedere’ —there were so many. Bob was the glue
that held us together and kept us grounded. He never took anything
too seriously, and his #1 goal was always to make us laugh.” — Tracy
(Wells) Tofte, who appeared alongside Uecker on the 1980s sitcom
“Mr. Belvedere”
___
“The city is enormously saddened with news of Bob Uecker’s passing.
Bob was Milwaukee baseball. His laugh-out-loud self-deprecation
brought enjoyment for fans of baseball, TV sitcoms, and national
talk shows. He loved baseball, the Brewers and Milwaukee.” —
Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson
___
“He was the best. Any conversation I ever had with him ended with
laughter and a smile, but that doesn’t take into account what a
warm, wonderful person he was. As genuine as they come. It was an
absolute privilege to have known him. RIP, my friend.” — New York
Mets broadcaster Howie Rose
___
“The Bob you saw on the air was the Bob I saw off the air. That’s
who he was. Just a little smirk and you knew the line was coming.
Nobody could deliver it the way Bob did. ... I think there’s no
better example than his Hall of Fame speech, which is as funny as
‘Airplane’ or ‘Spinal Tap.’ Every line, there’s some comedy and I
don’t think he had a script in front of him. He knew all the
material and he just went on for an hour, and it’s probably the
greatest Hall of Fame speech ever given.” — Chicago White Sox radio
play-by-play announcer Len Kasper, who filled in on Brewers
broadcasts from 1999 to 2001.
___
"Bob Uecker lived baseball, loved his Brewers and put a smile on
someone’s face every chance he had. He visited our booth often and
invited us into his for stories. Authenticity exemplified. The game
is so much better because of him and changed forever without him. A
beautiful man." — ESPN baseball broadcaster Karl Ravech
___
"It is impossible to capture what he meant to us. Foolishly, I let
myself believe he was immortal. Yet, I never took him for granted.
How could you? Of all the things he was, I’m just glad that I got to
call him, `friend.' Rest easy, Ueck. Your legacy will remain
forever.” — Brewers broadcaster Lane Grindle
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