Showing posts with label Bob Uecker. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bob Uecker. Show all posts

Monday, June 13, 2016

Field Report Miller Park 2016 0527 Reds 5 @ Brewers 9

This happened a couple of weeks ago but Team Phungo is still recovering from our recent Trip.

We spent a week in Madison and Milwaukee which gave us an opportunity to knock another stadium off our list. In the game the Brewers hosted the Cincinnati Reds. The two teams are battling for the cellar of the NL Central, consequently the game itself was secondary to the stadium visit.

Robin Yount

The Brewers have a series of statues outside the stadium including this one that honors Robin Yount, the Franchise All Time Leader in Games, ABs, Hits, Runs, RBIs, Doubles, Triples, and WAR. Ryan Braun is the only Brewer who has more Home Runs than Yount.

Hank Aaron

The man who broke Babe Ruth's Home Run record only played two seasons with the Brewers but he spent an additional dozen seasons in Milwaukee as a Member of the Braves. Hank Aaron is rightfully honored here by the Brewers.

Miller Park

From this angle Miller Park looks like a Spaceship whose design was inspired by a tarantula. I took this picture while walking up a path from the location of old County Stadium, where Hank Aaron hit his last Home Run.


Chorizo y Hot Dog

I was pretty excited for the sausage race. Here are Chorizo and the Hot Dog hanging out pregame. 


Retired Numbers

Bob Uecker's 50 Year Plaque is in a nice neighborhood with Hall of Famers Paul Molitor and Robin Yount nearby. 

Miller Park from the Upper Deck. 


Roof Opens! 

The Roof was closed when we arrived, but was opened just prior to game time. Miller Park only remained an outdoor venue for about 3 innings when oncoming rain forced another closure. 

John Lamb

Oh Yeah there was a game.  The Brewers defeated the Reds 9-5. Neither starting pitcher was particularly sharp and both were gone before the end of the 6th inning, although Brewers Pitcher Zach Davies was hurt by his defense.

The Starting pitcher for the Reds was John Lamb, For some reason his look here reminds me of Tyrion from Game of Thrones. Lamb was lifted after just 3 2/3 innings which saw him give up 6 runs.

Aaron Hill Warming up

Must of been a good warm up as Hill had a great game with a pair of Home Runs.

Ryan Braun & Brandon Phillips

Braun and Phillips are likely discussing their own trade prospects.

 Chris Carter

Carter is off to a hot start ranking 3rd in the league in Homers at the 1/3 mark in the season.

Bernie Brewer

We got to see Bernie Brewer hit the slide, I believe this was on the Aaron Hill's 2nd Home Run. Notice at the top of the picture signs are lit up that say "Get Up, Get Up, Get Outta Here, Gone!" the signature Home Run Call of Brewers Broadcaster Bob Uecker.

There was a lot more to take in at the Brewers game and I have a lot more pictures that I hope to share at some future point.

Sources and Links
Baseball-ref
Milwaukee Brewers
Baseball Almanac 

Friday, April 22, 2016

1976 ASG +40: Bob Uecker 1967 Topps

The Phillies make their annual trip to Milwaukee over the weekend which gives us the opportunity to roll out one of my favorite vintage commons.


1967 Topps #326 Bob Uecker

No Bob Uecker did not play in the 1976 All-Star game. By the time the Bicentennial rolled around His career was over by almost a decade and as you may suspect the Career .200 Hitter never did play in an All-Star game.

Bob Uecker did make it to the All-Star game as a part of the broadcast team for ABC Sports. He worked alongside Warner Wolf and Pirates announcer Bob Prince.



Warner Wolf and Bob Uecker on ABC Broadcast of 1976 ASG

For the broadcast Bob Uecker drew the AL Assignment, In his pregame comments he singled out Yankees Catcher Thurman Munson and Rangers Shortstop Toby Harrah as statndouts, However the player the was really looking forward to seeing was Mark Fidrych.

The follow up question from lead broadcaster Warner Wolf was about how Uecker liked to spend his All-Star Break. The reply was pure Self-Depracating Bob Uecker

"Well what I used to do was load my catchers equiment into my car rent a motel room for three days lock myself in and scream my head off because I didn’t make it again. "

I should note that it is not entirely correct that Uecker was never an All-Star....


1967 Topps #326 Bob Uecker (b-side)

According to the second -toon on the back of the card Uecker was an All-Star selection in 1961. There is something in error here, as in 1961 Bob Uecker played for the Louisville Colonels of the Ammerican Association not the NL.

Bleacher Seats
For more on Bob Uecker and this card (his last as an active player) check out the 1967 Topps Baseball Posting.

Sources and Links
1976 All-Star Game Index
1967 Topps Baseball
baseball-ref
YouTube - 1976 All-Star Game

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Phun Cards - Bob Uecker


1967 Topps #326 Bob Uecker 


I knew that Bob Uecker played baseball, but until I starting delving into vintage cards I never knew he played for the Phillies.

Uecker's playing career was not long nor was it noteworthy.  He was a catcher for 6 seasons from 1962 through 1967 compiling a .200 batting average. Half of his 14 career Home Runs were hit in the 1966 when he played for the Phillies.  Uecker was the back-up to Tim McCarver on the St Louis Cardinals World Championship Team, but he did not actually play in any series games. 

Most people know Bob Uecker as an off the field celebrity featured on TV and film - Most notably as Harry Doyle in the late 80s comedy "Major League" (and it's sequals). 

Uecker is also well known to Brewers fans as the radio play by play voice.  He has done work in TV at a national level as well, including scattered playoff games that I can vaguely remember over the years. 

In 2003 Uecker received the Ford C Frick Award for Broadcasting from the Baseball Hall of Fame.  This Year the Brewers plan to honor Uecker with a statue outside of Miller Park, The unveiling is planned for August 31 of this year.

For The Collector

I think the 1967 Topps Card above I either received in trade or found at a card show.  This is the final card Topps issued of Uecker during his playing career.  This card has a pretty good crease running down the center, and likely could be found in a dime box.  I imagine one could find a good condition 67 Uecker for a dollar without much looking.

The bulk of his cards were with the Cardinals.  His1963 Topps rookie card features him with Milwaukee's first major league team the Braves.   Recent low sale for the RC was $4.10

Essential Collection
 
This makes the essential collection based off of Uecker being an off the field Icon and on a Phils Card. 
 
A card for your Team Collection with an Off Field Icon
 
Sources:
 
 

a thousand words

a thousand words
2008 World Champions