Baseball legend Bob Uecker has died at the age of 90, according to MLB.com.
Uecker, affectionately nicknamed ‘Mr. Baseball’ by late Tonight Show host Johnny Carson, was a backup catcher turned legendary media personality, serving as the voice of the Milwaukee Brewers for five decades, while also appearing in television and film roles. The legendary baseball personality was diagnosed with small-cell lung cancer in 2023.
“We are heartbroken to announce that Brewers icon & Baseball Hall of Famer Bob Uecker passed away today at the age of 90,” the Brewers announced in a post shared on their X account Thursday (January 16) morning.
Uecker played in the majors for six seasons, which included stints with the Milwaukee and Atlanta Braves, as well as the St. Louis Cardinals and Philadelphia Phillies. The former catcher hit for a .200 career average, but found his greatest success after his playing career.
Uecker became the Brewers’ play-by-play man in 1971, serving as the second-longest person to continuously serve the role with one team in MLB history, which he parlayed into a Hollywood career through his self-deprecating wit. The Wisconsin native was a regular on late night talk shows during the 1970s and 1980s, hosted Saturday Night Live in 1984 and several sports blooper shows, was featured in the iconic Miller Lite commercials of the 1980s and appeared as George Owens on the popular television show Mr. Belvedere, as well as fictional play-by-play man Harry Doyle in the Major League film series.
Uecker was given the Ford C. Frick Award, which recognizes “major contributions to baseball,” by the Baseball Hall of Fame in recognition of his broadcasting career in 2003.
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