Whether you know him from his broadcasting work in Major League Baseball, through his appearances back in the day on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, as a television actor, for his role in Miller Lite commercials or as Harry Doyle from the movie Major League, you probably know about Bob Uecker.
A former player, a Ford C. Frick winner in the Hall of Fame as broadcaster, accomplished funny man and actor, he was all of that and yet so much more.
One of the wonderful all-time characters in the game, Uecker led a full and amazing life. A life that ended when he passed away yesterday at age 90.
Carson once held up a picture of Uecker drinking out of a bottle during what looked like a victory celebration and ask about what they were celebrating then?
“No, that was me getting ready for a game,” Uecker deadpanned and Carson, as usual, was rolling with laughter. When he first appeared on his show, Carson once asked sidekick Ed McMahon, “did that guy really play?”
