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Legend Who Turns 89 Today Once Lost $260 for Using a Tuba to Make a World Series Catch

Published 01/27/2023, 12:43 PM EST

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Bob Uecker, or Mr. Baseball, is a name that elicits memories of baseball glory days, crackling radio broadcasts, and a healthy dose of humor. He was also awarded an MLB Hall of Fame Ford Frick Award in 2003.

In an interview on the Tonight show, Bob Uecker recalled his baseball days and how he once used a Tuba to catch fly balls. Yes, you read that right! He used an actual Tuba to catch fly balls and too at a World Series game.

Bob Uecker’s humor and energy remain unmatched

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Bob Uecker, the baseball legend who always had a trick up his sleeve and a joke on his lips, turns 89 today. One of his most unforgettable moments came during the 1964 World Series where he infamously was catching fly balls using a Tuba.

In a snippet of the interview that has resurfaced on Twitter, Uecker was shown a picture from that time. The picture was of him holding a big tuba and playing it with all his might. The crowd was seen going wild behind him. Uecker reminisced about the moment, “They had four bands on the fields. One of them took a break, so I grabbed this guy’s tuba and I was catching fly balls in that tuba.” The audience laughed hard at this.

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But little did he know that impromptu performance would cost him a pretty penny. Turns out the Tuba had a few dents from his catches and he ended up paying $260 to fix it.

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It is moments like these that have cemented Bob Uecker’s place in baseball history, as not just a skilled player but also as a comedic legend. His antics on and off the field will always be remembered and cherished by fans and fellow players alike. He always has a way of coming up with something unexpected and entertaining.

A little backstory about the legend:

This legendary figure of the sports world is 89 now and is a former professional baseball player, sportscaster, and actor, but he is inarguably most beloved for his role as the voice of the Milwaukee Brewers. His work behind the microphone has earned him a spot in the National Radio Hall of Fame and the Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame. He was also awarded a prestigious award by the MLB Hall of Fame, and his Ford Frick Award acceptance speech is something else.

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But Uecker’s impact extends beyond the ballpark, as he also made a mark on television with his appearances on “Mr. Belvedere” and in the classic sports comedy film “Major League.”

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Written by:

Garima Verma

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Garima is an MLB writer at EssentiallySports. She has recently graduated as a Master's student in Media and Communications. She is an avid reader and an ardent cinema fan.
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Edited by:

Abhishek Kumar