Bob Uecker's first career was professional baseball. He played six seasons in the majors (1962 - 1967), playing catcher for three different National League teams: Braves (Milwaukee, WIS and Atlanta, GA), Cardinals (St. Louis, MO), and Phillies (Philadelphia, PA). His batting, never stellar, declined steadily over his career: he finished with a .200 lifetime average. He wrote a humorous auto- biography entitled _Catcher in the Wry_. He appeared in a popular series of Lite beer commercials before landing his first movie role.


Inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 2001. Five-time Wisconsin Sportscaster of the Year. Although he has done the radio broadcasts for the Milwaukee Brewers for 33 years, Uecker has never had a contract with the team. Recipient of the Ford Frick Award (presented to a broadcaster for major contributions to baseball) from the Baseball Hall of Fame on July 27, 2003. Past recipients of the Ford C. Frick Award include Mel Allen, Red Barber, Harry Caray, Joe Garagiola, Curt Gowdy, Ernie Harwell, and Vin Scully. [13 March 2003] Underwent open-heart surgery to replace defective aortic valve [30 April 2010].