Bob Uecker

Had Bob Uecker's place in history ended with his professional baseball career, he might never have achieved the degree of fame and popularity he enjoyed for over 50 years. As a player for the Milwaukee Braves and other clubs, Uecker was a solid if unremarkable catcher and a woeful batter, but after leaving the sport in 1967, he found his true calling as a broadcaster for the Braves on radio and television. His quick wit and knack for self-deprecating humor quickly elevated him to the top of his new profession, and even earned him work as a pitchman and occasional actor. Above all, Uecker brought a sense of humor and humanity to a sport that often emphasized statistics over achievement, and served as a stellar example of making good on second chances.