Remembering Bob Uecker

Obviously, this is a Milwaukee Bucks blog. However, today, it’s more than that. Today, it’s not just a Milwaukee Brewers one as well, but a Milwaukee one.

Today, we lost an absolute legend in Bob Uecker.

Let me be frank. I don’t know where to start with this, so I’m just going to type out whatever comes into my head.

Bob Uecker embodied baseball to perfection. In its simplest form, baseball is a children’s game where all that’s needed is a ball and a stick.

When Ueck talked baseball, everyone felt transported back to that euphoric, childhood state where so many of us first found our love for the game.

Ueck achieved that in such an easy way — by being himself. Whether it was a close nail biter of a finish or the Brewers were getting trounced 14-1, it was always a must-listen. You never knew what stories would unfold with him behind the mic.

In a day and age where stats and accolades are endlessly analyzed and arguments of who’s the GOAT are overwhelmingly debated, Bob Uecker was the exact opposite.

By constantly making himself the butt of every one of his jokes, he brought not just laughs, but a sense of nostalgia association with the game of baseball from childhood, where smiles and laughter are the synonymous definitions of the game.

When I think of Ueck, that’s what I think of — my childhood.

Growing up, my family didn’t have cable. In fact, we’d finally get cable in 2008, which was the year the Brewers made their first playoff appearance since 1982.

Contrary to what my then 7th grade-self was thinking, I’m glad we didn’t have cable up until then. It allowed me to listen to Ueck on the airwaves.

It created an endless amount of memories that I’ll cherish the rest of my life.

I’ll never forget Eddie Pérez’s walk-off HR against the Reds in 2003 and Ueck’s, ““It hit the pole!” call. And then Wes Helms’ walk-off HR against the Expos in 2004. For that one, my brother and I were listening to a radio under our bed after we had been told it was bedtime, only to jump out of bed and run around the house (the excitement began before Ueck even started his second “Get up!” call.).

Then, you have the shared experiences that so many of us will treasure together. Sitting outside on a warm summer night, crickets chirping, the radio on, a warm breeze hitting your face, the smell of the grill tickling your nose, and Ueck’s voice gracing the airwaves.

When you sit back and remember those moments, you think back to the simplicity of it all. Bob Uecker, by being himself and just speaking words into a microphone, crafted himself as the voice of summer. And to me (and I’m sure many of you), that exact scene is, and will remain, the definition of summer.

So tonight, I welcome you all join me by heading out and to grabbing a pack of Usinger’s bratwurst and a pint of Cedar Crest ice cream to go along with it. That’s what I’ll be having for dinner.

And afterwards, I’ll be headed down to Miller Park (yes, I still call it that) to lay flowers by Ueck’s statue. If you’re in the Milwaukee area, please join me in doing so.

Ueck was Milwaukee. He was Wisconsin. Milwaukee Brewers games will never be the same. However, it’s through conversation with fellow fans that we’ll mourn, celebrate, smile, and joke about Ueck’s life — because that’s what he’d want us to do.

So, with that being said, I welcome you all to leave comments about some of your favorite Uecker calls. I know it’ll help me and I hope it’ll help you too.

RIP, Mr. Baseball. We’ll never forget you.