Bob Uecker, “Major League” and “Mr. Belvedere” star and Hall of Fame broadcaster, dies at 90

Bob Uecker, the beloved sports figure who parlayed his stint as an unremarkable MLB catcher into a successful second act as a Hall of Fame broadcaster and a comedic actor in films and TV series including Major League and Mr. Belvedere, died Thursday morning at his home in Milwaukee. He was 90.

Uecker's family said in a statement that he "brought joy to countless listeners through his wit, charisma, and love for baseball, Milwaukee, and all of Wisconsin, creating a legacy that will forever be cherished. While his contributions to the game are noteworthy, it is his kindness, humility, and love for family and friends that we will hold closest to our hearts."

A cause of death was not disclosed, though Uecker's family noted that he "faced a private battle with small cell lung cancer since early 2023, which he met with the same strength and resilience that defined him."

His hometown team, the Milwaukee Brewers, added, "There is no describing the impact Ueck had on so many, and no words for how much he was loved. We are left with a giant void in our hearts, but also remember the laughter and joy he brought to our lives throughout the years."

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Born Jan. 26, 1934, the man who would come to be known as "Mr. Baseball" spent several years in the minor leagues before being called up by the Milwaukee Braves in 1962. Never a star player, Uecker lasted six seasons in the majors, playing for the Milwaukee and Atlanta Braves, the St. Louis Cardinals, and the Philadelphia Phillies. He hit 14 home runs and had a career batting average of .197.

After hanging up his cleats, Uecker found his way back to the ballpark in 1971 as a broadcast commentator for the Brewers — a job he would hold for 54 seasons, until his death. Endlessly funny, Uecker mentored several fellow commentators during his tenure and could be heard shouting his signature catchphrase — "Get up! Get outta here! Gone!" — whenever a Brewers player knocked one out of the park.

Uecker enjoyed success in front of the camera as well, appearing in a collection of Miller Lite ads, on television shows such as Mr. Belvedere, and in all three of the Major League films alongside Tom Berenger, Charlie Sheen, and Wesley Snipes. He also made regular appearances on The Johnny Carson Show and the Late Show with David Letterman, and cameoed on shows like Who's The Boss?, Futurama, and Teen Titans Go. He hosted the TV programs Bob Uecker's Wacky World of Sports and Bob Uecker's War of the Stars, and emceed an episode of Saturday Night Live (with musical guest Peter Wolf) in 1984.

In 1982, Uecker published a memoir (written with Mickey Herskowitz) titled Catcher in the Wry: Outrageous but True Stories of Baseball.

Uecker was honored by the Baseball Hall of Fame with the Ford C. Frick award in 2003 and was similarly recognized by the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association, the Radio Hall of Fame, and the WWE. The Brewers established two statues in his honor: one outside American Family Field in 2012, and another statue tucked away in the park's upper deck in 2014.

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