By OnMilwaukee Staff Writers   Published Apr 02, 2024 at 2:01 PM

The Brewers are back! And the only thing better than seeing the ball club back on the diamond? Hearing the ball club back on the diamond, teamed up with iconic Brewers radio voice Bob Uecker, who turns a remarkable 90 years old today and whose personality will be back behind the mic for the home opener of this exciting 2024 season. So, in honor of the always entertaining, always self-depreciating broadcaster and the start of another chapter in his remarkably colorful career, here are 17 quick facts that you may not know about Milwaukee’s very own "Mr. Baseball."

1. He was a talk show icon

Before Jimmy Fallon, a guy named Johnny Carson hosted "The Tonight Show" – and he must've been a big Bob Uecker fan, because the broadcast legend was a guest of Carson's more than 100 times.

2. Uecker hosted "SNL" in 1984

Right before "Mr. Belvedere" (see below) made its premiere, Uecker hosted "Saturday Night Live." Despite the all-star cast (including Martin Short, Billy Crystal, Harry Shearer, Christopher Guest and Julia Louis-Dreyfus) the episode is not considered one of the show's finest – but hey, at least nobody came dressed up like bottled water.

3. He’s got some moves

Crank it up, Ueck!

OK, maybe it looks less like dancing and more like starting a finicky chainsaw, but when you're Bob Uecker, you celebrate a playoff spot however you damn well please. 

4. He’s the star of a great Milwaukee Admirals commercial

Go Ads! (And also ads!)

5. He’s in the Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame

Uecker was inducted into the Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame in 1998. And fittingly, he was inducted by his friend and former Brewer Robin Yount. He's also in the ACTUAL Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, but this is the one that matters the most, obviously. 

6. He was a TV star with "Mr. Belvedere"

Uecker starred in the TV series "Mr. Belvedere," which lasted for six seasons in the late '80s. British actor Christopher Hewett, who had the lead role in Mr. Belvedere from 1985 to '90, passed away in 2001 at age 80.

7. He’s an author

His book "Catcher in the Wry" was published in 1989.

8. He has an awesome emoji

Milwaukee loves its emojis, and OnMilwaukee locamojis are a big hit. Here’s Bob’s:

Download it now by clicking here.

9. He’s one of us

Ueck's a Milwaukeean! The broadcaster graduated from Milwaukee Tech High School and was an exceptional high school athlete. In fact, he grew up watching the Brewers play at the old Borchert Field. And now he's made a career of watching the Brewers play. 

10. He’s Harry Doyle from "Major League"

Tom Berenger, Charlie Sheen and Wesley Snipes may be at the top of the credits – and Milwaukee County Stadium gets to home field to our ragtag heroes – but Bob Uecker was definitely the star. His portrayal of sportscaster Harry Doyle in the movie "Major League" was easily the highlight of this classic 1989 sports movie.

11. He’s an avid fisherman

Ueck loves to fish – including at regular Make-A-Wish Foundation of Wisconsin charity fishing tournaments.

12. He’s quotable

Well, you already knew this one. Listen to a Brewers radio broadcast and you're guaranteed to hear a hilarious line. Here are just a few of Ueck's classics:

  • "The way to catch a knuckleball is to wait until it stops rolling and then pick it up."
  • "I knew when my career was over. In 1965, my baseball card came out with no picture."
  • "Sporting goods companies pay me not to endorse their products."

13. He was buddies with the late Norm Macdonald

Funny loves funny – so it's not surprising that one of the biggest, funniest personalities in baseball would be friends with with one of the notable funnymen in recent memory: the late great Norm Macdonald. Many years ago, while joining "The Late Show with David Letterman," Macdonald gave us a great glimpse into the hilarity of hanging with Bob:

14. He’s a Miller Lite All Star

He starred in Miller Lite "All Stars" ads in the '70s and '80s in which Uecker would proclaim, "I must be in the front row!" – only to get sent to the cheap seats.

15. He has his own seats

They're the best worst seats in all of baseball. 

16. He’s won a World Series ...

... with the Cardinals. Which tells you how great and wonderful of a personality he is that Milwaukee still whole-heartedly embraces him. 

17. But he's gotta call one for the Brewers

Uecker called a World Series loss for the Brewers in 1982, but it only seems right to give him the ultimate winning call. And maybe this upcoming season is the time he gets it. Go Crew!