Bob Uecker hit .200 over six years as a backup catcher and turned that into 10 television shows, six movies, a fairly regular spot with Johnny Carson and 54 years calling games for the Brewers. That's quite a life.
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This is just too much, I hate January post Christmas deaths. They are always several and most truly great people, whatever walk of life. Mr. Baseball and David Lynch on the same day, doesn’t the Universe know what we are already dealing with? 🙏❤️
Some of my fondest memories are driving around my small town on Friday and Saturday nights listening to him announce Brewer games. My best friends, my buddy’s 79’ Granada and Bob. This makes me smile through tears. RIP Ueck.
He was also a man with a profound sense of decency and humanity. He once got into trouble for holding hands in acceptance of black teammate Bob Gibson.
Without a doubt, Uecker was a great comedian and great guy to be around. If you play in the Majors for 6 seasons, you are a damn good athlete. I don't care what people say! Dude was still doing warmup pitches into his 70s. Great athlete, but a better man!
I saw his speech at his baseball hall of fame acceptance. People help a sport in their own way. Bob's was his sense of grace. He used his own failings as a leap frog to his influence. m
Making himself a man who lifted people up, using himself as the leverage.. Genius.
I had to put his book, Catcher in the Wry, down while on a flight many, many years ago. I had tears streaming down my face trying to not laugh out loud! I bought it recently after watching him on CBS Sunday Morning.
I can't say that I've 'met' him, but I've seen him work his way through various press boxes over the years. He was as happy to meet strangers as they were to meet him.
Can't think of a better epitaph.
Don’t forget his great miller lite commercials - I must be in the front row! What a gem he was and such a great part of baseball’s dominance in the 70s and 80’s. He will be missed
To his fans out here, he was a wonderful entertainer who played ball instead of waiting tables while waiting for his career to take off. And that catchphrase rings a bell in my head every time I hear someone use the word 'outside'.
I had heard it as.
Bob Gibson said it on a trip too the mound. He asked him what are you doing out here the only thing you know about pitching is you can't hit it.
He admitted more than once that the only reason teams (esp. the Braves) kept him on (with that abysmal BA) was because he could catch Phil Niekro's knuckleballs. #Bobuecker
One of my dad's favorite stories was after Bob retired from baseball he was on Johnny Carson. Johnny asked Bob what he had been doing since he retired. Bob said he wrote a book and had spent the last 6 months touring the country trying to sell it. Bob said he sold it and had to write another.
I’ve never been much of a baseball fan, but Bob Uecker made the transition from baseball to TV and not just sports TV but every day entertainment TV as well as any athlete ever
That's what so few are mentioning. His passion. It just shows, even if you're not a great player, if you're an amazing ambassador, it might just be more important. I've seen nothing but kind words about the man. Same can't be said about all the greats of baseball. Pete Rose comes to mind.
I think Ueck understood the inherent absurdity of playing a kid's game for money. He never lost that sense of, "Can you believe I'm getting PAID for this?!"
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"Juuuuustttt a bit outside" ..my favorite quote of his.⚾💙
RIP Bob Uecker.
https://www.tiktok.com/@pitchingninja/video/7460588617958722858
He took what he had and marketed the hell out of it.
That is a certain type of genius.
Making himself a man who lifted people up, using himself as the leverage.. Genius.
....a bit outside
Both men did their most meaningful work after finishing with their primary careers.
May their memories be blessings to their families and friends.
"Juuust a little outside."
Can't think of a better epitaph.
https://youtu.be/aHFClLGqz8w?si=RO4WYiPZ84Ehht2M
Above and beyond.
Or something close to that...
Bob Gibson said it on a trip too the mound. He asked him what are you doing out here the only thing you know about pitching is you can't hit it.
Gotta love 'em.
Get up, get up, get out here!
😢💔
Mr. ⚾️
https://youtu.be/DPh4iF76LbU?si=WbyW9DC5kTz83b-u
His joy for the game was infectious. One of the baseball legends, beyond the stats.
https://youtu.be/eiooeRAdcjU?si=UnubkOvZSNUtVMNf
Watching Carson is the best.
https://youtu.be/DPh4iF76LbU?si=4bLYEJYj0bhag7M8
Well lived, good sir! Rest easy.
Perfect marketing..
https://youtube.com/shorts/aq6oIgYeuiw?si=oUh71zICAZOTN4bh
My parents have been quoting this as long as I've been alive (almost 40 years)
That’s awesome, my Dad used to all the time too