Legendary Milwaukee Brewers host Bob Uecker delivers an emotional farewell

For a moment, it seemed like the Milwaukee Brewers were moving on.

Then Pete Alonso dashed those hopes in one fell swoop.

Alonso's three-run home run in the top of the ninth inning of Game 3 of the NL Wild Card Series erased the Brewers' 2-0 lead and ultimately sent the New York Mets to the NLDS in their place. In front of their home crowd, Milwaukee had to return to a quiet clubhouse while New York celebrated on the field.

Longtime Brewers radio announcer Bob Uecker did his best to express his feelings over the airwaves amid the loss and appeared to choke up during his speech.

“Well, New York, get down — they did it,” Uecker said. “And the crew will, um, make sure it ends here tonight.”

Uecker's partner in the locker room, Jeff Levering, tried to put a positive light on the moment and emphasized how successful Milwaukee's season has been. However, the 90-year-old veteran immediately began pouring his heart out again.

“I’m telling you, this one … had some bite to it,” Uecker said.

The loss marks the end of Uecker's 53rd season, which the Brewers must play in even if he no longer works full-time. He didn't play in Games 1 or 2 of the NL Wild Card Series – he said he was feeling “under the weather” – but he returned to the locker room where he suffered a devastating loss in Game 3.

While Uecker won a World Series ring as a player with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1964, the Brewers have yet to reach the heights they have since he joined the organization in 1971. Even though the 2024 squad was far from a juggernaut, the NL Central champions were still hoping to give Uecker a chance to win another championship.

Christian Yelich may not have been able to play in the NL Wild Card Series due to the back surgery he underwent this summer, but he was no less devastated by the loss. Despite all the emotions after the game, he made sure to give credit to Uecker.

“It’s special every time he’s around,” Yelich said. “You shouldn’t take it for granted. He's the man, he means a lot to this place. Anyone who has spent time here knows how special Bob is.”

Yelich even went so far as to say that the strongest emotions he felt were talking to Uecker after the game.

“For me it was the conversation with Ueck, which is pretty difficult,” said Yelich, holding back tears. “All the other things, that’s what it is, it’s a tough end to the season, but talking to Uecky one-on-one is tough.”

Shortstop Willy Adames and starting pitcher Freddy Peralta were among the other players who spoke about Uecker's calming presence after the loss. The broadcaster reportedly walked through the locker room, hugged the players and said he would see them next season.

However, there is a possibility that Uecker has just finished his last game.

The Brewers have now made the playoffs in six of the last seven years. They made it to Game 7 of the NLCS in 2018, but have yet to win a series since.

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