How did I know him. Goes back to the 60s. My cousin was a knuckleball pitcher for the then Milwaukee Braves.Phil Niekro.
Bob was with the Cardinals in 64, when they won the series.
The Braves did not have a catcher that could consistently handle the knuckleball. As Uke would tell it, when St.Louis heard the Braves were interested in him, the Cardinals offered the Braves as much money as they wanted to get Uke off their roster.
He was somewhat modest about his career. No he was not h hitter, but he was a very good catcher with quick reflexes and could catch the knuckleball, most of the time.
Honestly, the only person he ever spoke negatively of, was himself.
The funniest story is the day when there was a marching band at the field for some reason. And out comes a player with a tuba and goes out to right center to shag batting practice flies. It was hilarious.
Go on YouTube and look up his H.O.F. induction speech. He was voted in as a broadcaster.
He never prepared the speech, he said " I'll just go out there and say what comes to mind.
If you wonder what he was like, that was true Uecker at his best
A wonderful man. Rest well. Many people will miss you. I know your children certainly will.
Bob was with the Cardinals in 64, when they won the series.
The Braves did not have a catcher that could consistently handle the knuckleball. As Uke would tell it, when St.Louis heard the Braves were interested in him, the Cardinals offered the Braves as much money as they wanted to get Uke off their roster.
He was somewhat modest about his career. No he was not h hitter, but he was a very good catcher with quick reflexes and could catch the knuckleball, most of the time.
Honestly, the only person he ever spoke negatively of, was himself.
The funniest story is the day when there was a marching band at the field for some reason. And out comes a player with a tuba and goes out to right center to shag batting practice flies. It was hilarious.
Go on YouTube and look up his H.O.F. induction speech. He was voted in as a broadcaster.
He never prepared the speech, he said " I'll just go out there and say what comes to mind.
If you wonder what he was like, that was true Uecker at his best
A wonderful man. Rest well. Many people will miss you. I know your children certainly will.
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