By OnMilwaukee Staff Writers   Published Apr 01, 2013 at 12:02 PM Photography: David Bernacchi

The Milwaukee Brewers announced that Hall of Fame broadcaster Bob Uecker will miss the team’s Opening Day broadcast of the game against the Colorado Rockies this afternoon due to the mounting traffic on I-94.

"Unfortunately, lane closures on the highway normally throw Milwaukeeans all out of whack and we already know Bob will miss the broadcast," said Tyler Barnes, the Brewers' vice president of communications. "We sent a car for him late Sunday in anticipation of this, but it wasn’t enough lead time."

"We’re actually pretty concerned," Barnes continued. "Bob’s been in that car for about seven hours already and we have no idea when – or if – he’ll ever get back to Miller Park."

The Brewers called on their friends with the Wisconsin Highway Patrol and the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, but no one can get to the stretch Lincoln Town Car that is wedged between thousands of bewildered drivers who are packed like sardines on the highway.

"We understand the frustration of the Brewers and Brewers fans who expected to hear Mr. Uecker today," Wisconsin DOT spokeswoman Peg Schmitt said. "I love listening to Bob’s tales as much as the next person – but there’s just nothing we can do."

Adding to the Brewers concerns over Uecker’s status, or whereabouts, is that the 78-year-old former catcher eschews all forms of technology except a hand-held electronic Yahtzee game and something called a "Pocket Doppler."

Barnes said there has been some consideration of matching some of Uecker’s catchphrases and parts of his 37 Hall of Fame speeches during appropriate times of the broadcast, but admits that may be hard to do.

Waiting in the wings is Joe Block, who has spelled Uecker at times since joining the broadcast booth in 2012.

"I feel awful for Bob, but I’m ready to give Brewers fans the best Opening Day broadcast possible," Block said. "I sort of anticipated this gridlock when the team announced it sold millions of tickets already, so I slept under Doug Melvin’s desk the last two nights. I’m two inches shorter than I was on Friday, but it’s worth it."

Opening Day won’t be the same for those used to tuning in to Uecker on the radio, though Barnes said that the people jammed up on 94 with the legendary showman might be in for a treat.

"Well, since he doesn’t own a cell phone, we can’t have him phone in the broadcast," Barnes said. "But I expect him to hold court, maybe hang out the back window and give his own running commentary a la Robin Williams in 'Good Morning Vietnam' based off Joe’s words. He can do it – you should see him accentuate Wayne Larrivee’s calls of Packers’ games!"