Pirates’ Broadcaster Cherishes Memories Partnering With Bob Uecker

Pittsburgh Pirates broadcaster Joe Block knew Bob Uecker as few did.

Everything about Uecker’s life was successful. Don’t let his lifetime .200 MLB batting average fool you. His parts of seven seasons with four different clubs, including his hometown Milwaukee Braves (1962-1963), prepared him for a fabulously famous and financially rewarding life.

Uecker died on January 16, 2025, at age 90, after a battle with small-cell lung cancer.

In 2003, in Cooperstown, N.Y., Uecker received the game’s highest honors when recognized in the broadcaster’s wing of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. Selected as the recipient of the Ford C. Frick Award, recognizing him for his major contributions to baseball as a broadcaster, Uecker was officially designated as among the “best of the best” in his field.

In total, for 54 Milwaukee Brewers’ seasons (1971-2024), Uecker was the club’s “voice” on radio. He had many partners in the broadcast booth. Count Block among the fortunate ones who teamed with Uecker. Block, now in his 10th season as a play-by-play announcer of Pirates’ baseball on radio and TV, has ample memorable times with Uecker to look back on.

The four seasons that Uecker and Block were teammates (2012-2015) in Milwaukee, a friendship was formed. This isn’t always the case when employees are paired. But, for Block, getting to work with a legend who knew the game of baseball as well as any was a privilege.

“We became close friends, and our wives, too,” Block said of his time at and away from the ballpark with Uecker. “While we were partners in radio, I never felt secondary. We hit it off very well. There was mutual respect.”

Newly married, Joe and Bethany Block arrived in Wisconsin and settled on Milwaukee’s East Side. When the Blocks were expecting their first child, it was Uecker’s wife who hosted a baby shower for the expecting couple.

“Judy (Uecker) threw us a shower in their home,” recalls Block, who was heard calling Brewers’ baseball on WTMJ 620 AM and FM in the “Cream City”.

When speaking of his former radio partner, Block speaks with a low voice and puts much thought into his answers. With a couple of months passed after losing his friend, it’s clear that when Block thinks of Uecker, it’s with an emotional struggle.

Even after leaving the Brewers for the Pirates, Block tells of remaining in touch with Uecker monthly. Being in Milwaukee with Pittsburgh on the road gave Block a chance to reunite with his friend, up close and to talk over good times shared between them.

Although in recent years, when Uecker reduced his travel obligations, Block tells of his friend always making a trip to Pittsburgh when the Brewers were on the road.

Remembered for his iconic role as Cleveland Indians’ radio broadcaster Harry Doyle in the Major League I and II films, another hugely successful venture in show business for Uecker was appearing as George Owens in the ABC-TV series - “Mr. Belvedere.”

Block confesses that he was a fan of “Mr. Belvedere,” with the show set to take place in suburban Pittsburgh. Fast forward to 2014, when Uecker had his own statue unveiled at Miller Park (Brewer’s home stadium). Among the dignitaries in attendance was cast members from “Mr. Belvedere”. This was an extra happy time for Block to share.

“Getting to meet the cast at the statue was one time that I indulged being around him (Uecker). That was cool.” remembers Block, who prior to joining the Pirates and Brewers, has worked in Los Angeles Dodgers and Montreal Expos radio broadcasts.

The severity of Uecker’s illness was “kept tight,” according to Block. Those in the famous baseball personality’s “inner circle” were aware of the toll being taken on Uecker, but few others. It’s clear, even now, as the Pirates are close to wrapping up their spring schedule and will begin their regular season in Miami on March 27, 2025, Block has some emotional healing to complete when thinking of Uecker.

The privilege that Block had in knowing, working with, and being friends with such a public baseball legend as Uecker is one that will remain very personal – as it should.