Baseball's resident jokester batted over .300 three times in the minors but swung
a weak stick in the majors. He survived on good defensive ability and a rifle arm.
Playing for Louisville in 1961 in the American Association, he led all catchers in
fielding.
Some memorable moments in the big leagues included September 1, 1964
when his ninth-inning homer for the Cardinals beat the Braves 5-4 and kept St. Louis
in the pennant race. Playing for the Braves on June 21, 1967, he collected five RBI,
including a grand slam, as the Braves beat the Giants 9-2. But when asked to list
his greatest achievements as a player, the funnyman answered, "Getting out of a rundown,
and driving home the winning run by walking with the bases loaded." Besides his frequent
beer commercial appearances and his role on the TV sitcom Mr. Belvedere, Uecker has been a long-time Brewers broadcaster and played himself in that role in the movie Major
League (1989).
(RTM)
FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY
»September 1, 1964:
The Cardinals move past the faltering Giants into 3rd place with a 5–4 win over the Braves. Former Brave, now Cardinals utility C, Bob Uecker hits his first home run of the year, then singles in the winning run in the 9th to win it for the Birds. St. Louis is seven 1/2 in back of the first-place Phils.
»April 21, 1966:
The Braves trip the Phils, 5–4, as Chris Short's wild pitch past Bob Uecker allows the winning run to score. Eddie Mathews sets a major-league record by playing his 2009th game at 3B, topping Eddie Yost's mark.
»June 7, 1967:
The Phils and Braves swap catchers, with Bob Uecker going to Atlanta for Gene Oliver.
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