A multi-talented personality, Bob Uecker enjoys a special place in the world of baseball. Starting off his career as a baseball player, he later served as a baseball commentator, television host, wrestling ringside announcer, comedian, and a television and film actor. With his exceptional non-athletic talents, spirited personality and likeable nature, he has earned himself a lot of popularity and a loyal fan base.
However, what is interesting to note is that unlike other Major League players, Uecker became more famous and recognized as a commentator and actor than as a player. In fact, his on-field career was undistinguished despite playing with several Major League baseball teams.
It was in 1970s that he revamped his otherwise minimal career by launching himself as a sportcaster. He has since 1971 been serving as the play-by-play announcer for Milwaukee Brewers radio broadcasts. Furthermore, he has also provided commentary for the ABC’s show, Monday Night Baseball, and later for an NBC show. As far as his acting career is concerned, he has done cameo appearances and guest roles in several films and television series, notably as broadcaster Harry Doyle in Major League and Major League II.
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o I knew when my career was over. In 1965 my baseball card came out with an RIP but no picture.
o If a guy hits .300 every year, what does he have to look forward to? I always tried to stay around .190, with three or four RBIs. And I tried to get them all in September. That way I always had something to talk about during the winter.
o The secret to catching a knuckleball is to wait until it stops rolling and then pick it up.
o Baseball hasn’t forgotten me. I go to a lot of old-timers games and I haven’t lost a thing. I sit in the bullpen and let people throw things at me. Just like old times, when I was in my prime.
o People don’t know this, but I helped the Cardinals win the pennant. I came down with hepatitis. The trainer injected me with it!
o I led the league every year in “Go get ’em next time!”
o In 1962 I was named Minor League Player of the Year. It was my second season in the bigs.
o I had a great shoe contract and glove contract with a company who paid me a lot of money never to be seen using their stuff.
o The highlight of my baseball career came in Philadelphia’s Connie Mack Stadium when I saw a fan fall out of the upper deck. When he got up and walked away, the crowd booed.
o I had been playing for a while, and I asked Louisville Slugger to send me a dozen flame-treated bats. They immediately sent me a box of ashes.
o I had a .200 lifetime batting average in the major leagues, which tied me with another sports great averaging 200 or better for a ten-year period: Don Carter, one of our top bowlers.
o I remember one time I’m batting against the Dodgers in Milwaukee. They lead, 2 – 1, it’s the bottom of the ninth, bases loaded, two out and the pitcher has a full count on me. I look over to the Dodger dugout and they’re all in street clothes…including the guys who had been out on the field before I came up.
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