Bob Uecker's Real Name: Robert George Uecker
Bob Uecker → Robert George Uecker
Quick answer: He was known as Bob Uecker. MLB.com says Robert George Uecker was born in Milwaukee on January 26, 1934, and a Library of Congress name record independently gives the same full name, date, and city. The Associated Press and Reuters both reported that he died on Thursday, January 16, 2025, at 90, after the Milwaukee Brewers announced his death.
Real name and early life
MLB.com's obituary, by Adam McCalvy, says: "No matter what other sources tell you, Robert George Uecker was born in Milwaukee on Jan. 26, 1934." It explains that his baseball cards had listed 1935 throughout his playing career and that he did not correct the error until his 80th birthday in 2014. The Library of Congress authority file gives Robert George Uecker, born January 26, 1934, in Milwaukee, and notes the same 2014 correction. Baseball-Reference also lists January 26, 1934, in Milwaukee.
The AP says he was born and raised in Milwaukee.
Career highlights
The AP says he signed his first professional contract with the Milwaukee Braves in 1956 and reached the majors in 1962. It says he spent six seasons as a backup catcher, finishing with a .200 average and 14 home runs, and won a World Series ring with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1964; he also played for Atlanta and Philadelphia.
The AP says former Brewers owner Bud Selig first hired him as a scout and then moved him to the broadcast booth, and that he became the Brewers' radio voice in 1971. Reuters independently says he had been the club's broadcaster since 1971 and marked his 50th anniversary in 2021. The AP says he called Brewers games for 54 seasons.
The AP says a 1969 nightclub set in Atlanta led to The Tonight Show, where he made more than 100 appearances and Johnny Carson nicknamed him "Mr. Baseball." Reuters also credits Carson with the nickname. MLB.com notes his roles in the sitcom Mr. Belvedere and as broadcaster Harry Doyle in the Major League films. The AP says the Baseball Hall of Fame gave him the Ford C. Frick Award in 2003.
Death
The AP says the Brewers announced his death on Thursday morning, January 16, 2025, and that his family said he had been treated for small cell lung cancer since early 2023. Reuters independently reported that he died on January 16, 2025, at age 90, citing the Brewers, and that his family said he had been battling lung cancer. MLB.com says he died early Thursday at 90.
Name notes for searchers
People looking up Bob Uecker, Ueck, Mr. Baseball, or Robert George Uecker are looking for the same Brewers broadcaster and former catcher.
FAQ
What was Bob Uecker's real name?
MLB.com and the Library of Congress record Robert George Uecker.
When and where was he born?
Both give January 26, 1934, in Milwaukee; MLB.com says the 1935 year on his baseball cards was wrong.
Why was he called Mr. Baseball?
The AP and Reuters say Johnny Carson gave him the nickname.
When did he die?
The AP and Reuters reported his death on January 16, 2025, at 90.