*This article originally appeared on Alberta Dugout Stories on January 17, 2025. You can read it here.

January 18, 2025

By Ian Wilson

Alberta Dugout Stories

His sense of humour was just a bit outside for some, but Bob Uecker was a one-of-a-kind baseball comedy legend.

From the ballpark to the broadcast booth to beer commercials, the former Major League Baseball (MLB) catcher connected with countless people through the game he loved.

Comedians across several generations, including Johnny Carson and Norm Macdonald, could attest to Uecker’s ability to put smiles on faces.

So, too, could sports fans in southern Alberta.

Uecker, who was a career .200 hitter over six MLB campaigns, retired as a player after breaking a bone in his left hand at spring training in 1968. The Milwaukee native signed on as a broadcaster with his hometown Brewers in 1971, a post he held for 54 years.

The self-deprecating personality had gained notoriety for his public speaking and his appearances on The Tonight Show when he was booked as the headliner for the Lethbridge Kinsmen Club’s annual Sportsman’s Dinner, which took place on Feb. 5, 1972.

The weekend event included a full slate of sports celebrities, including Master of Ceremonies Normie Kwong, basketball player Dolph Schayes, hit-by-pitch hero Ron Hunt, world champion boxer Joey Giardello, Canadian Pro Rodeo Hall of Famer Tom Bews, Calgary Stampeder Wayne Harris, Winnipeg Blue Bomber Don Jonas and Green Bay Packer running back John Brockington.

According to the newspaper headlines on Monday morning, it was Uecker who stole the show.

“There have been some pretty funny people in the history of the dinner and Uecker ranks with the best. He could very easily be the funniest and most entertaining guest in the dinner’s 19-year history,” wrote Lethbridge Herald sports writer Pat Sullivan.

“His ability as a comedian is highly respected on banquet circuits as well as television and Saturday night he showed why.”

Uecker spoke for 35 minutes to a crowd of 600 people and had folks laughing at some of his top one-liners.

“I remember one coach told me to grab a bat and stop this rally,” joked Uecker.

“There was the time I came up with the bases loaded, last of the ninth, tie game and two away. I looked into our dugout and the guys on the bench were in their street clothes.”

During his speech, Uecker continued to make himself a punchline, to the delight of the Lethbridge crowd.

“I used to get little hints as to when I’d be moving on when I was still active in baseball,” said Uecker, who suited up for the Milwaukee Braves, St. Louis Cardinals, Philadelphia Phillies and Atlanta Braves.

“One time they told me I was going to be made a coach, I was to coach second base.”

Added Uecker: “Sometimes they would tell me to go up without a bat and try for a walk.”

Dick Chubey, sports editor at The Albertan newspaper in Calgary, praised Uecker for salvaging the event.

“He saved the day,” wrote Chubey.

“They should have dressed him in a suit of armor. Dubbed him a knight. He was a shoo-in for mayor if he wanted to enter politics.”

Some of Chubey’s favourite jokes were Uecker’s descriptions of his time with the Phillies.

“The fans in Philadelphia are so bad that if they had an Easter egg hunt for the kids, they would boo the kid who couldn’t find an egg. They boo the crack in the Liberty Bell,” laughed Uecker.

“My biggest job in Philly was wearing the new shoes so the other guys wouldn’t get blisters.”

The jabs at his baseball abilities were seemingly endless.

“I’d have an O-for-June, O-for-July and so on. I started a slump in 1962 and it ended in 1967 … the day I got released,” quipped Uecker.

“I was playing for Atlanta Braves at the time and I got the message that my career was over when Luman Harris (manager) came over and told me that visitors weren’t allowed in the clubhouse.”

All kidding aside, Uecker took a moment to express his love for the game.

“I just want to do something for baseball,” he said in the Herald.

“It has given me a lot in my life and I am thankful for it.”

Uecker was set to do another speaking gig in Saskatoon later that year, but was unable to make it.

Fans kept in touch with “Mr. Baseball” over the years through his Miller Lite commercials, his role on the sitcom Mr. Belvedere, and – of course – his incomparable work as broadcaster Harry Doyle in the Major League movies.

Uecker, who passed away at the age of 90 on Jan. 16, 2025, was inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame in 2001 and he won the Ford C. Frick Award in 2003. That honour is given annually to broadcasters for major contributions to baseball.

As much as he connected with baseball watchers, he formed strong bonds with players, as well.

Pitcher John Axford (Port Dover, Ont.) – who played for the Melville Millionaires in the Western Major Baseball League (WMBL) in 2006, before embarking on an 11-year MLB career – shared some heartfelt remembrances of Uecker on social media.

Axford made an MLB comeback with the Brewers in 2021, only to suffer an elbow injury after just one appearance with Milwaukee. The right-handed pitcher connected with Uecker at the stadium a few days later.

“He was still a player at heart. Every day. He loved the game and the players in it. When he spoke to you on this level he was your teammate. His emotion, passion, and words that day resonated with me more than anyone or anything else. It led me to surgery and an 18-month journey just to get out there and pitch one last time,” wrote Axford, who represented Canada at the 2023 World Baseball Classic.

“Bob was an absolute treasure to the game. I’m so grateful for that conversation in 2021. I’m grateful for the time I got to spend with him in my playing career. Even when I wasn’t playing for Milwaukee he would take the time to catch up on the field before games. I feel lucky to have had such a legendary voice call so many of my moments on the mound. Hearing him say ‘heeee struck him out!’ in those late innings to end a close game felt exhilarating. His excitement during those calls always made me feel larger than life on the mound when I heard them after.”

Added Axford: “He made you feel special. An undeniable character through and through. Irreplaceable. An immense loss to baseball and the wonderful city of Milwaukee. We’ll all miss him.”