'He just loved making people laugh': Milwaukee Brewers celebrate the life of broadcast legend Bob Uecker

The voice of Milwaukee baseball passed away earlier this year on Jan. 16. For over 50 years, Uecker gave play-by-play commentary for the Brewers, and today, the team came together with thousands of fans to honor the hall-of-famer before the game. 

The whole day was a tribute to Uecker - from the videos chronicling his life and displays in the concourses to the more permanent tributes such as the medallion displaying his name above the right field, with the newly named Bob Uecker Broadcast Center. 

A KC 135 R from the 128th Air Refueling Wing of the Wisconsin Air National Guard flew over American Family Field to honor Uecker. He rode in that very same plane back in 2018 when he joined the crew for a refueling flight alongside the Thunderbirds. 

Uecker served in the U.S. army from 1954 to 1956 and a few years later made his Major League debut playing for his hometown team, the Milwaukee Braves, in 1962. 

"To this day it's hard for me to comprehend that he's gone," said Brewers Owner Mark Attanasio. "There's nothing we can do to cherish and celebrate the 55 years that Bob was part of us. I believe he's still with us, but I really miss him."

Hall of Fame Broadcaster Bob Costas hosted a panel where people who knew Uecker best told how much Uecker meant to them. 

"Whether it was your first day in the big leagues or you'd been there for ten years, you know he treated you as though you were his friend his entire life," said Brewers player Christian Yelich. "I think that was one of his real gifts, you know, was making people feel like they were best friends. You know we miss him every day but he's still with us to some extent and I think we all feel that."

"He just loved making people laugh," said Former Brewers player Robin Yount. "Right to the end. He told me he wasn't afraid of dying. He just didn't want to be there when it happened." 

The celebration ended with Bob Uecker Jr. throwing the first pitch at today's game, but this came after he and his family were surprised by the entire Brewers team coming onto the field wearing 'Ueck' jerseys. Another fitting tribute to a man who means everything to Milwaukee. 

Bob Uecker's family was overwhelmed with gratitude, in a statement the family said: 

"Milwaukee was his home, and the Brewers were an extension of his family. Seeing that love reflected back, means more than we could ever put into words. There is something truly special about this community... and Bob felt it every single day."