Bob Uecker

Date of Birth: 26 January 1935

Birth Name: Robert George Uecker

Nickname: Mr. Baseball

Height: 6′ 1″ (1.85 m)

Mini Biography:

Bob Uecker’s first career was professional baseball. He played six seasons in the majors (1962-1967), playing catcher for three different National League teams: Braves (Milwaukee, WI, and Atlanta, GA), Cardinals (St. Louis, MO), and Phillies (Philadelphia, PA). His batting, never stellar, declined steadily over his career: he finished with a .200 lifetime average. He wrote a humorous autobiography entitled “Catcher in the Wry”. He appeared in a popular series of Lite beer commercials before landing his first movie role.

Spouse:

Judy Uecker (1976 – 15 May 2001) (divorced)

Trivia:

Inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 2001.
In 6 seasons with the Milwaukee Braves, St. Louis Cardinals, Philadelphia Phillies and Atlanta Braves, Uecker had a .200 lifetime average with 146 hits, 14 home runs and 74 RBIs in 297 games.
Five-time Wisconsin Sportscaster of the Year.
Major league debut: 13 April 1962.
Although he has done the radio broadcasts for the Milwaukee Brewers for 33 years, Uecker has never had a contract with the team.
A humorous honor: The Uecker Seats at Miller Park Baseball Stadium cost $1 because they are seats located in the fourth deck behind home plate behind the beams supporting the massive retractable dome roof.
Recipient of the Ford Frick Award (presented to a broadcaster for major contributions to baseball) from the Baseball Hall of Fame on July 27, 2003. Past recipients of the Ford C. Frick Award include Mel Allen, Red Barber, Harry Caray, Joe Garagiola, Curt Gowdy, Ernie Harwell, and Vin Scully. [13 March 2003]
His last name is pronounced Yoo-ker.

Personal Quotes:

“The biggest thrill a ballplayer can have is when your son takes after you. That happened when my Bobby was in his championship Little League game. He really showed me something. Struck out three times. Made an error that lost the game. Parents were throwing things at our car and swearing at us as we drove off. Gosh, I was proud.”
“Career highlights? I had two – I got an intentional walk from Sandy Koufax and I got out of a rundown against the Mets.”
“How do you catch a knuckleball? You wait until it stops rolling, then go pick it up.”