Bob Uecker Biography

- By Kavin Caruso

Bob Uecker was born January 26, 1935 in well let's say Illinois. His parents lived in Wisconsin and they were on their way to Chicago to get oleo. His mother gave birth on the interstate. That's what Bob Uecker said. He was raised in Milwaukee; he later got drafted by the Milwaukee Braves and signed a contract in 1956. Bob Uecker had a .200 lifetime batting average; he hit 14 career home runs and drove in 74 rbi's in his career.

Bob Uecker broke in the major leagues in 1962 as a third string catcher for the Milwaukee Braves. He played sparingly for the Braves; he was manly on the bench. He played for the Milwaukee Braves in 1962 and in 1963. In 1964 Bob Uecker was the backup catcher to Tim McCarver in St. Louis. The St. Louis Cardinals won the 1964 World Series; they beat the New York Yankees. That was the only World Series that Bob Uecker played in. He played for the St. Louis Cardinals in 1964 and 1965, and then got traded to Philadelphia. Bob Uecker played for the Phillies in 1966 and part of 1967. During the 1967 season, he got traded back to the Braves, but it was the Atlanta Braves.

Bob Uecker was Phil Niekro's catcher when he played for the Braves in 1967. The Braves released Bob Uecker after the 1967 season. He would be a PR for the Braves in 1968 and 1969.

In 1970, the Milwaukee Brewers established after moving from Seattle. Bud Selig hired Bob Uecker as a scout in 1970. In 1971, Bob Uecker became a radio announcer for the Brewers. He would become the main play by play announcer in 1978. Bob Uecker is known for "GET UP, GET UP, GET OUTTA HERE, AND GONE" whenever a Brewer player hits a home run. Also whenever a Brewer pitcher strikes out a batter, he said, "HEY STRUCK HIM OUT SWINGING!" He enjoys making fun of himself about his playing days as a player.

In the Eighties, Bob Uecker was on Johnny Carson show and he had his own sitcom. In 1985 a show called "Mr. Belvedere" premiered. Bob Uecker played a character name George Owens, who was a Pittsburgh sportswriter then later sportscaster. The show ran from 1985-1990. Mr. Belvedere was a housekeeper and George liked arguing with Mr. Belvedere. Bob Uecker also was an announcer for WWE in 1987, and then in 1988 he was an announcer for WrestleMania IV. In 1989, he was in the movie "Major League which he was the Cleveland Indians announcer. In that movie he was hilarious; he got drunk in the movie and said some crazy things. Bob Uecker was in Major League 2, and Major League: Back in the Minor League.

Milwaukee Brewers sportscaster Bob Uecker looks on prior to the Milwaukee Brewers vs. Houston Astros baseball game at Minute Maid Park on Wednesday May 20, 2009 in Houston, Texas. Houston won 6-4.

Bob Uecker won some awards in his lifetime. He was elected to the Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame in 1988. He was inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame in 2001; he also won the Ford C. Frick Award in 2003. In 2005, the Milwaukee Brewers honored Bob Uecker's 50th year in being in major league ball. He was on the Milwaukee Brewers "Ring of Honor" and in 2009, was on the Milwaukee Braves Wall of Honor.

On a serious note, Bob Uecker had surgery last year and missed most of the season with a staph infection. He actually had two surgeries last year to replace his valve in his heart. This season he hasn't had any problems with his heart. Earlier in the year, Bob Uecker mentioned that he's healthier now than two years ago.

I enjoy listening to Bob Uecker on XM radio when the Brewers are playing at home. He's funny and he's very knowledgeable about the game. He does the commercial for Usinger's sausage; it's so funny when he mentions what's a complete meal when eating a Usinger's sausage. Bob Uecker also likes saying eating a bratwurst and then balances yourself with fish fillet hot off the grill. Two of his former radio partners are now a play by play for the Cubs and Braves. They are Pat Hughes and Jim Powell. Pat Hughes was with the Milwaukee Brewers from 1984-1995. Jim Powell became Bob Uecker's partner from 1996-2008. Both announcers had made a name for themselves in Chicago and Atlanta.