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Sweets Talk: At 87 years old, Brewers radio voice Bob Uecker still being ‘Ueck’

Opening day of the Major League Baseball season was Thursday, a time of year that usually brings excitement to baseball fans across the country. This season it seems there was extra excitement for the “National Pastime” getting its season underway. It most certainly comes from the fact at least some fans are allowed in stadiums throughout the country, whereas in the shortened 2020 season fans were forbidden due to the pandemic.

To me, opening day is exciting because it’s a fresh start for all teams and fan-bases alike. Everyone has the same record, 0-0; a strong start to the season usually creates optimism and hope that your favorite team will have a successful season, especially more so than a team(s) you may be rivals with, or simply dislike.

As a Brewers fan, my absolute favorite part of opening day is hearing the excited, upbeat and optimistic voice of the legendary Bob Uecker, the team’s long time radio voice. “Ueck” is 87 years old and sounds as good as can be. His sense of humor is like no other, but on opening day he seems to bring his “A” game. How he’s able to blend one of his classic stories into his play-by-play of a half-inning is so enjoyable.

Listening to him on Thursday, he said a few notable things, one being that including his playing days — which were quite uneventful and he always is able to make jokes about at his own expense — this year marked his 65th opening day. How amazing that is, I don’t have a word to describe it.

“I remember my first opening day,” he said. “They told me the day before it was a night game, and when I showed up, the game was already over because it was a day game.”

Ueck went on to recall several opening days in the years when the Brewers played in Milwaukee County Stadium. “There were years when there were snow storms, mid to low 20 degrees, or even blizzards that canceled games. But it never seemed to deter people enough, from us getting a full house for the opener. The tailgaters would start huge fires to stay warm, and I remember one year, someone’s car started on fire in the valet parking lot. Those guys out there were tailgaters who never intended on going to the game, and the fire got too big, and along came the fire department. Imagine coming out after the game, and the valet takes your ticket and realizes ‘Sir, I am sorry, but that’s your car on fire out there’ those were the days man.” Only Ueck can make that a funny story, after who knows how many years after the fact. He’s one of a kind, there’s no doubt about it. …

Along with the undefeated Iron Mountain boys basketball team, there are five other U.P. teams that have made it to the MHSAA quarterfinal round of play. Both the Carney-Nadeau boys and girls teams, same at Escanaba, where the Eskymo boys and girls are still in their respective tournaments. The last one being the undefeated Calumet girls squad. In a season of uncertainty, with teams playing an un equal amount of games, or some not competing in the postseason at all, for there to potentially be six U.P. teams in the semifinals on Wednesday and Thursday, is remarkable. …

Two more funny things Bob Uecker said on Thursday that I wanted to share, about Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Kenta Maeda, who the Brewers had to face for 4 1/3 innings. “This guys throws so many sliders and off-speed pitches, if he were at a county fair throwing balls at bottles to win a prize, he’d be throwing sliders,” Ueck said. His radio partner Jeff Levering said as Maeda was replaced by a bullpen pitcher “Ueck, Maeda threw 81 pitches today.” In his quick witted way Ueck responded “80 of them had to be sliders, Jeff. Or I am going to wake up tomorrow a woman.” What a guy, and as unique as they come. …

Stay safe, and healthy ladies and gentlemen. And everyone please have a Happy and Blessed Easter. …

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