Baseball legend and 'Major League' star dies at 90

Sad news for the sports world today, as baseball icon Bob Uecker has passed away.

The longtime voice of the Milwaukee Brewers was 90 years old.

News of Uecker's death comes to us from the Brewers organization, who shared the sad news with fans earlier today.

Former major league baseball player Bob Uecker greets fans as he walks to the mound to throw out the ceremonial first pitch before the Milwaukee Brewers play the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 3 of the NLDS during the 2008 MLB playoffs at Miller Park in October. January 4, 2008 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Ben Smidt/Pool-Getty Images)

“Ueck was the light of the Brewers, the soundtrack to our summers, the laughter in our hearts, and his passing is a profound loss,” the team said in a statement.

“He was the heart and soul of Wisconsin and a dear friend. Bob loved people; his presence warmed every room and he had a way of welcoming us all into his world as if we were friends for life.

Bob Uecker's cause of death

According to a report from Yahoo! News Uecker's family revealed that he had been battling small cell lung cancer for several years.

Television personality Bob Uecker attends the Safe at Home Foundation's third annual gala to help end domestic violence on November 18, 2005 in New York. (Photo by Peter Kramer/Getty Images)

Uecker was born in Milwaukee in 1934, and he could have represented the city more fully than any of its other famous residents.

After beginning his baseball career as a catcher for the Brewers' minor league farm team, Uecker made his MLB debut with the team in 1962.

He played for several teams and won a World Series with the Cardinals in 1964.

Milwaukee Brewers radio announcer Bob Uecker throws out a ceremonial first pitch before Game 1 of the Wild Card Series between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field on October 3, 2023 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin . (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

A legend in the stand

But it was his broadcasting career that elevated Uecker to baseball legend.

Such was Ueck's charm and humor that he quickly became famous outside the Milwaukee area, taking on acting roles in films such as the Charlie Sheen comedy. Major League and its sequel (in which he played, of course, a baseball announcer).

He also played a sportswriter in the sitcom Mr. Belvederewhich took place from 1985 to 1990.

Broadcaster Bob Uecker speaks to the crowd before a game between the Milwaukee Brewers and the Cincinnati Reds at American Family Field on August 5, 2022 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

But even though he gained national fame early in his broadcasting career and eventually became a popular actor in Hollywood, Bob's heart always belonged to Milwaukee – and the ballpark.

He called his first game for the Brewers in 1971, and even after reducing his workload in 2014, he continued to call the team's home games through 2024.

He will be greatly missed by many within the organization and throughout the baseball world.

Our thoughts are with Uecker's family at this difficult time.

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