Bob Uecker, known as “Mr. Baseball,” entertained fans for 54 seasons as a beloved broadcaster for the Milwaukee Brewers.
On January 16, 2025, Uecker passed away at his home in Menomonee Falls, just ten days shy of his 91st birthday.
His final broadcast, featuring the memorable words, “That one had some sting to it,” marked a bittersweet ending for the Brewers and their fans.
Bob Uecker was a Hometown Hero From the Start
Born on January 26, 1934, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, He signed with his beloved Milwaukee Braves in 1956 as a catcher, spending several years in the minor leagues before making his Major League debut in 1962.
Over six seasons, Uecker played for the Milwaukee Braves, St. Louis Cardinals, Philadelphia Phillies, and Atlanta Braves, earning a World Series ring with the Cardinals in 1964.
Though his playing career was modest hitting .200 with 14 home runs over 297 games—his charisma and wit made him a fan favorite.
After retiring as a player in 1967, Uecker found his true calling in broadcasting.
He began with WSB-TV in Atlanta before returning to Milwaukee in 1971 to become the voice of the Brewers on the radio.
His signature catchphrase, “Get up! Get up! Get outta here! Gone!” became an anthem for Brewers home runs, thrilling fans, and cementing his place in baseball lore.
Uecker’s dry humor and storytelling also made him a beloved figure beyond the booth, with memorable appearances on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson and as George Owens in the sitcom Mr. Belvedere.
Uecker’s broadcasting career spanned over five decades, making him one of the longest-tenured broadcasters in Major League Baseball history.
He called games for the Brewers on WTMJ (620 AM) and later WTMJ-FM (1130), becoming the heartbeat of the team’s radio broadcasts.
His unique style, equal parts insightful, self-deprecating, and hilarious, endeared him to generations of listeners.
In addition to his Brewers duties, Uecker served as a color commentator for ABC in the 1970s and early 1980s and for NBC in the 1990s, bringing his charm to national audiences.
Remarkably, Uecker never signed a formal contract with the Brewers. His agreements with team owners Bud Selig and Mark Attanasio were sealed with handshakes, evidence of the trust and respect he commanded.
Beyond baseball, Uecker lent his voice to University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee Panthers basketball and football games in the early 1970s, showing his versatility and passion for sports.
Bob Uecker’s Final Broadcast Came on October 3, 2024
During Game 3 of the National League Wild Card Series between the Milwaukee Brewers and the New York Mets.
The Brewers, who had fought hard all season, were stunned by a late home run from Mets slugger Pete Alonso, ending their playoff run in heartbreaking fashion.
As the game concluded, Uecker signed off with words that carried the weight of both the moment and his career:
“Well, New York, down. They did it. And ‘The Crew’ will have it end here tonight. … I’m telling you. That one had some sting on it.”
Via X
Bob Uecker’s final words, “That one had some sting on it,” beautifully captured his unique blend of raw emotion and trademark humor.
They weren’t just about the Mets’ victory or the Brewers’ loss; they showed the pain of a season and a career coming to a close.
For fans, it was a moment that stung just as much, knowing it was the last time they’d hear Uecker’s voice call a Brewers game.
We dedicate today to a larger than life legend. A baseball icon. The voice of Brewers Baseball forever.
— Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) August 24, 2025
Bob Uecker 💙#ThankYouUeck pic.twitter.com/SiIl0uPYqR
On August 24, 2025, the Milwaukee Brewers honored Uecker with a moving celebration of life ceremony at American Family Field before their game against the San Francisco Giants.
The event was a tribute to his 54 years as the team’s iconic broadcaster, his impact on the franchise, and his deep connection to the city of Milwaukee.
Fans, players, and colleagues shared stories of Uecker’s humor, kindness, and unparalleled love for the game.
The ceremony was both a farewell and a celebration of a man who had become the soul of Brewers baseball.
Uecker’s contributions extended far beyond the broadcast booth. Inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2003 as the recipient of the Ford C. Frick Award for broadcasting excellence, he was recognized as one of the sport’s most influential voices.
His work in films like Major League, where he played the fictional broadcaster Harry Doyle, further immortalized his humor, with lines like “Just a bit outside!” becoming iconic in their own right.
As Milwaukee and the baseball world mourn his loss, Uecker’s legacy lives on. His humor, his stories, and his love for the game will continue to inspire. The sting of his passing may linger, but so will the warmth of his memory. Rest in peace, Mr. Baseball.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Bob had four children with his late wife, Joyce, but two of them died before him.
- Uecker and his second wife, Judy, were married in Louisiana in 1976.
- He battled with small-cell lung cancer, diagnosed in 2023.
