'Heart of gold': Make-A-Wish recipient remembers Bob Uecker

WEST ALLIS, Wis. (CBS 58) — Sunday, July 12, 2009 is the day Sam Last's wish came true.

“When I was 6, we still didn’t know what was going to happen to me,” said Last. “Lack of depth perspective and loss of Peripheral vision to the left, as well as a lisp and epilepsy.”

At just 1-and-a-half years old, Last was diagnosed with a baseball sized brain tumor. When he turned 6, Make-A-Wish Wisconsin asked Last what he wanted. His answer? Singing the national anthem at a Milwaukee Brewers game.

Sixteen years later, Last says more than one wish came true that day.

“It was being able to sit on Bob Uecker’s lap and talk with him on the radio,” said Last.

Known as "Mr. Baseball," Bob Uecker also had an ability to grant wishes. The broadcasting legend, who battled cancer himself, met with dozens of Make-A-Wish Foundation children over his career. That day, Uecker invited Last to announce the third inning with him.

“He had a heart of gold,” said Forrest Doolen with Make-A-Wish. “It gave him an even greater connection and appreciation with the Wish kids.”

For Last and his family, it’s more than just a memory.

““To see him just welcome Sam and share his lap and share his love of baseball with my little 6-year-old boy, was just a blessing,” said Jolene Last, Last’s mom.

It's a reminder of the kind of person Uecker was.

“Making jokes and having fun and he’s a special person and I’m so thankful his family was able to share a little bit of him with us,” said Jolene.

It’s a reminder of the loss Milwaukee will now feel every summer.

“I would have accepted the beer he offered me when I was 6,” said Last.