Aug 24, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Bob Costas speaks during a celebration of Bob Uecker’s life prior to the game between the San Francisco Giants= and Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

Bob Costas Delivers Perfect Bob Uecker Tribute At Brewers Ceremony

Originally posted on Milwaukee Brewers on SI
By Jackson Roberts | Last updated Aug 25, 2025 1:00 PM ET

How do you say goodbye to an absolute legend?

The Milwaukee Brewers held a celebration of life for Bob Uecker on Sunday at American Family Field. A former journeyman catcher in the major leagues, Uecker became one of the best-known personalities in the sport as the Brewers' play-by-play broadcaster for 54 years before passing away at age 90 in January.

It was a tall task, but the Brewers delivered a spot-on ceremony, down to every minute detail. But without one crucial guest, the whole thing might not have carried the same weight.

Bob Costas pays touching tribute to friend Bob Uecker

One of the few broadcasters whose legacy can live up to Uecker's is Bob Costas, and it just so happened that the two worked together for most of the 1990s calling baseball together on NBC.

Costas emceed the hour-long ceremony for Uecker in Milwaukee, and he hit all the right notes, seamlessly weaving in touching anecdotes with lighter moments to remember Uecker's famous sense of humor.

"Being Bob Uecker's broadcast partner for several years on NBC was memorable," Costas began. "Being his friend for a lot longer than that was memorable. And yeah, he was one of the funniest people who ever lived, he was one of the most distinctive personalities that the great game of baseball has ever known, but beyond that, if Ueck was your friend, he was your friend for life."

Most importantly of all, Costas knew his audience: Brewers fans, who will always carry a fierce loyalty toward Uecker as the hometown kid who never, ever forgot his roots.

“Today, here in the ballpark, which was Bob’s real home, this is a chance for all of you to say goodbye and thank you to your friend and to the man who more than anyone else, personified your team: Mr. Baseball, Bob Uecker,” Costas continued. “There was a lot more to Ueck than the public persona. There was a lot of heart.”

Few will ever have more of an impact on a sports franchise than Uecker did on the Brewers. And it was fitting to have a legend on hand to remember him properly.

This article first appeared on Milwaukee Brewers on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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