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The Milwaukee Brewers on Thursday announced the passing of “Mr. Baseball” Bob Uecker. He was 90 years old.

Uecker was one of the faces of our national pastime for decades, despite calling games for a relatively small market.

“Today, we take on the heaviest of burdens. Today, we say goodbye to our beloved friend, Bob Uecker,” the team said in a statement.

“Ueck was the light of the Brewers, the soundtrack of our summers, the laughter in our hearts, and his passing is a profound loss. He was the heart and soul of Wisconsin and a dear friend,” they added. “Bob loved people; his presence warmed every room, and he had a way of welcoming all of us into his world as if we were lifelong friends.”

“Saying goodbye to Bob shakes us all. He was so much more than a Milwaukee Brewers icon. He was a national treasure.”

He most certainly was a treasure in the baseball world and beyond.

Bob Uecker’s Baseball Career

Most people forget that Bob Uecker played major league baseball for five years. He won a World Series with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1964, as they topped the New York Yankees, managed by Yogi Berra, in seven games.

He played two seasons in Milwaukee when they were known as the Braves. But Uecker truly made his mark as a broadcaster for the Brewers, completing his 53rd season in the role this past year. 53!

How great is it that he had the opportunity to share in Milwaukee’s locker room celebration after they clinched the National League Central division last season?

He described the scene and level of excitement as only he can.

“I peed my pants,” Uecker said.

Despite the extensive MLB experience, Uecker truly excelled as a comedy genius, parlaying his mediocre playing career into self-deprecating humor that made him a star of endlessly amusing commercials for Miller Lite and a frequent guest of the late Johnny Carson.

Then, of course, came Major League.

RELATED: The Milwaukee Brewers Clinched The NL Central And Bob Uecker Joined In The Celebration

Bob Uecker’s Top Moments

Bob Uecker’s willingness to put down his own abilities and become the lovable loser made him a natural fit to play announcer Harry Doyle in the classic sports movie Major League.

His one-liners became part of movie lore. The phrase “Juuuust a bit outside,” uttered by Doyle in describing a pitch about 5 feet off the plate, is still being used to this day by anybody who has ever played sports or tried to throw something and missed.

Admit it, you’ve heard it or said it yourself dozens of times.

Here are some of Bob Uecker’s highlights from that film:

Introducing the Duke

Duke Simpson, the Yankees’ relief pitcher, is a skilled reliever with a brutal heater and a reputation for hitting batters on purpose. Simpson, played by Willie Mueller, is a crucial antagonist in the film Major League.

Time and time again, the Indians players fail when facing Duke.

But it is Uecker’s character Doyle who gives viewers an idea of just how competitive the Yankees pitcher is with this introduction in the movie’s ultimate game.

“The Duke leads the league in saves, strikeouts per inning, and hit batsmen,” Doyle says. “This guy threw at his own kid in a father-son game.”

A Bit Outside

As we mentioned, this is probably the most memorable line from Bob Uecker in the film. Just everything about this scene is pitch-perfect, from the lines to the delivery, which is all on Ueck.

“Vaughn into the wind-up in his first offering,” Uecker said as the pitch sailed wide by a lot. “Just a bit outside. He tried the corner and missed.”

“Ball four. Ball eight … Boy, how can these guys lay off pitches that close?”

Even prior to that famous line, Uecker elicits chuckles with the player introduction. “Vaugh, a juvenile delinquent in the off season …”

Uecker delivered some other gems in the movie for sure:

  • “Just a reminder, fans, comin’ up is our ‘Die-hard Night’ here at the stadium. Free admission to anyone who was actually alive the last time the Indians won a pennant.”
  • “One hit, that’s all we got, one goddamn hit?” Assistant: “You can’t say goddamn on the air.” Doyle: “Don’t worry, nobody is listening anyway.”
  • “The post-game show is brought to you by… Christ, I can’t find it. To hell with it.”
  • “The Indians win it! The Indians win it! Oh my GOD, the Indians win it!”

Prayers go out to Bob Uecker and his family. An irreplaceable man and a true American icon who will be missed.

Rusty Weiss is a lifelong NFL and MLB fan (Cowboys/Dodgers) and sometimes fan of college basketball (Xavier). Rusty is ... More about Rusty Weiss
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