History of Bob Uecker in Timeline
Bob Uecker, whose full name is Robert George Uecker, is a prominent figure in American baseball. He played professionally as a catcher and later transitioned into a broadcasting career, becoming the main voice of the Milwaukee Brewers for an impressive 54 seasons. His long tenure with the Brewers made him synonymous with the team's broadcasts.
1923: Uecker's Father Immigrates
Bob Uecker's father immigrated from Switzerland in 1923.
January 26, 1934: Birth of Bob Uecker
Bob Uecker was born on January 26, 1934.
1954: Military Service
Bob Uecker enlisted in the United States Army in 1954.
1956: Minor League Start
Bob Uecker started playing in the minor leagues with the Braves organization in 1956.
1956: Uecker Signs with Milwaukee Braves
In 1956, Bob Uecker signed with his hometown team, the Milwaukee Braves.
1957: Birth of Leeann Uecker
Bob Uecker's daughter, Leeann, was born in 1957.
1959: Birth of Steve Uecker
Bob Uecker's son, Steve, was born in 1959.
April 13, 1962: Major League Debut with Braves
Bob Uecker debuted with the Milwaukee Braves on April 13, 1962.
1962: Major League Debut
Bob Uecker made his major league debut in 1962.
1963: Demotion to Minor Leagues
Uecker was demoted to the minor leagues in 1963.
1964: World Series Champion
Bob Uecker was part of the St. Louis Cardinals' World Series championship team in 1964.
1964: Trade to Cardinals
The Braves traded Uecker to the St. Louis Cardinals before the 1964 season.
1965: Trade to Phillies
The Cardinals traded Uecker to the Philadelphia Phillies after the 1965 season.
June 6, 1967: Trade Back to Braves
The Phillies traded Uecker back to the Atlanta Braves on June 6, 1967.
1967: End of Playing Career
Bob Uecker's playing career ended in 1967.
1967: Leads League in Passed Balls
Despite playing only 59 games, Uecker led the league in passed balls in 1967.
1969: Denny Matthews Begins Royals Broadcasts
Denny Matthews began his broadcasting career with the Kansas City Royals in 1969.
1971: Start of Broadcasting Career
Bob Uecker began his broadcasting career with the Milwaukee Brewers in 1971.
1971: Brewers Broadcaster
Uecker became a broadcaster for the Milwaukee Brewers in 1971.
1976: Marriage to Judy
Bob Uecker married his second wife, Judy, in 1976.
1977: Wisconsin Sportscaster of the Year
Bob Uecker was named Wisconsin Sportscaster of the Year in 1977.
1979: Wisconsin Sportscaster of the Year
Bob Uecker was named Wisconsin Sportscaster of the Year in 1979.
1981: Wisconsin Sportscaster of the Year
Bob Uecker was named Wisconsin Sportscaster of the Year in 1981.
1982: Wisconsin Sportscaster of the Year
Bob Uecker was named Wisconsin Sportscaster of the Year in 1982.
1982: 1982 World Series Local Broadcast
Uecker called the 1982 World Series locally for the Brewers on WISN in Milwaukee.
October 13, 1984: Hosts Saturday Night Live
Uecker hosted Saturday Night Live on October 13, 1984.
1985: Mr. Belvedere Role
Uecker began playing George Owens on Mr. Belvedere in 1985.
March 1987: WrestleMania III Appearance
Uecker appeared at WrestleMania III in March 1987.
1987: Wisconsin Sportscaster of the Year
Bob Uecker was named Wisconsin Sportscaster of the Year in 1987.
1988: WrestleMania IV Appearance
Uecker appeared at WrestleMania IV in 1988.
1990: End of Mr. Belvedere
Uecker's role on Mr. Belvedere ended in 1990.
2001: Divorce from Judy
Bob Uecker and his second wife, Judy, divorced in 2001.
2001: National Radio Hall of Fame Induction
Bob Uecker was inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame in 2001.
2003: Ford C. Frick Award
Bob Uecker received the Ford C. Frick Award from the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2003.
2003: Ford C. Frick Award
In 2003, Bob Uecker received the Ford C. Frick Award from the Baseball Hall of Fame for his contributions to baseball broadcasting.
2005: Milwaukee Brewers "Ring of Honor"
In 2005, the Milwaukee Brewers added number 50 to their "Ring of Honor" to commemorate Bob Uecker's 50th year in professional baseball.
February 2006: Milwaukee Admirals Promotion
The Milwaukee Admirals commemorated Uecker's commercials with a special event in February 2006.
May 12, 2009: Brewers Wall of Honor
On May 12, 2009, Bob Uecker's name was added to the Brewers Wall of Honor at American Family Field.
April 27, 2010: Heart Surgery Announcement
On April 27, 2010, Bob Uecker announced he would be undergoing heart surgery.
October 14, 2010: Second Heart Surgery Announcement
On October 14, 2010, the Brewers announced that Uecker would undergo a second heart surgery to repair a tear.
2010: WWE Hall of Fame Induction
Bob Uecker was inducted into the Celebrity Wing of the WWE Hall of Fame in 2010 for his WrestleMania appearances.
2011: National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association Hall of Fame Induction
Bob Uecker was inducted into the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association Hall of Fame in 2011.
August 31, 2012: Uecker Monument
On August 31, 2012, the Brewers unveiled the Uecker Monument outside American Family Field.
2012: Death of Steve Uecker
Bob Uecker's son, Steve, died in 2012 from complications of San Joaquin Valley Fever.
2014: Reduced Workload
Uecker reduced his broadcasting workload in 2014 due to health issues.
2015: Death of Joyce Uecker
Bob Uecker's first wife, Joyce, died in 2015.
September 25, 2021: Bob Uecker Day
Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers declared September 25, 2021, as Bob Uecker Day, celebrating Uecker's 50 years broadcasting Brewers games. Uecker threw out the first pitch using a pitching machine. He was also presented with custom "Air Uecker" sneakers.
2021: Guest Appearance in Monsters at Work
In 2021, Bob Uecker voiced a parody of himself, "Bob Yucker", in the Disney+ series Monsters at Work.
2021: First Brewers Contract
Uecker signed his first official contract with the Brewers in 2021.
March 2022: Death of Leeann Uecker
Bob Uecker's daughter, Leeann, died in March 2022 from ALS.
2022: Brewers Radio Team
From 2022, Uecker teamed with Jeff Levering and Lane Grindle for Brewers home games.
2023: Cancer Diagnosis
Bob Uecker was diagnosed with small-cell lung cancer in 2023.
2024: Last Season as Brewers Broadcaster
Uecker's last season as a Brewers broadcaster was in 2024.
January 16, 2025: Death of Bob Uecker
Bob Uecker passed away on January 16, 2025.