John Sterling called Yankees games for more than 30 years before retiring from the broadcast booth last year. There weren't many people who could beat this record, but Bob Uecker was one of them.
“I loved Yuk,” Sterling said by phone Thursday after learning of his death at age 90. What I liked most about him was that he was Bob Uecker. He wasn't Sam Straight Arrow. There was no one else like him. ”
After ending his six-year MLB career in 1967, Uecker spent more than 50 years as a broadcaster.
He continued to appear in movies, TV shows, and commercials.
“He was a great talent, a unique talent,” Sterling said.
Sterling got to know Uecker well, thanks in part to Joe Torre, who played with him early in his career in Milwaukee and then in Atlanta during Uecker's final season.
Mr. Uecker, like Mr. Sterling, was part of a different generation of broadcasters with more individuality.
Asked if Uecker influenced his style, Sterling replied, “I loved his talent and ability.”
“I was going to be me no matter what, because who else would it be?” said Sterling, 86. “But he certainly blazed a trail into broadcasting, and his style and humor were on display everywhere.”
