The family of Bob Uecker, the Hall of Fame broadcaster and longtime voice of the Milwaukee Brewers, expressed pride and emotion as the team prepares for its first World Series appearance since 1982. The Brewers will host the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 1 on Friday, marking a significant milestone less than two years after Uecker’s passing on January 16, 2025, at age 90.
Uecker served as the Brewers’ broadcaster for 54 years, continuing to call games through the 2023 and 2024 seasons despite battling small cell lung cancer. He remains a beloved figure in Milwaukee, symbolizing the franchise’s identity. Statues honoring Uecker stand outside American Family Field and in the stadium’s upper level, while a massive mural of the broadcaster adorns a downtown building. His legacy is interwoven with the team and the city’s baseball culture.
In a statement released by the Brewers on Wednesday, Uecker’s family said, “Some moments are worth waiting for,” acknowledging the deep connection between the team, the city of Milwaukee, and its fans. They described Milwaukee as “special” and expressed a mixture of pride and wistfulness, noting their wish that Uecker could witness the Brewers’ current success.
“While we could never speak for him, this is certain: Milwaukee, the Brewers, and the fans meant everything to Bob,” the family added. They thanked the players for their efforts, saying Uecker “would have been so incredibly proud,” and extended appreciation to Brewers principal owner Mark Attanasio, manager Pat Murphy, and the broadcast team for honoring Uecker’s memory and spirit.
Uecker’s impact was also noted by the current Brewers radio broadcaster Jeff Levering, who paid tribute to Uecker’s famous call from the movie Major League in the moment the Brewers clinched their World Series berth. As the team secured the final out in Game 4 of the National League Championship Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Levering exclaimed, “The Brewers win the pennant! Oh my God, the Brewers win the pennant!”—echoing the style of Uecker’s celebrated character, Harry Doyle.
The Brewers’ advance to the World Series is not only a milestone for the franchise but also serves as a poignant reminder of Uecker’s enduring legacy in Milwaukee sports and broadcasting history.