MILWAUKEE, Wis. — Moments before the Milwaukee Brewers popped the champagne bottles after clinching their first World Series title in franchise history, manager Pat Murphy had a text message to read to the team.
“So Ueck sent me a text today,” said Murphy.
The “text” from the late Brewers broadcaster of 54 years included a reference to the “roof ball” in the NLDS against the Padres, and ended with Murphy’s words drowned out by a cacophony of screams and fizz.
1,300 miles away, Uecker’s former wife Judy was privately soaking in the moment from the Brewers’ radio booth her ex-husband occupied for so many years. It was already a special day as Judy was celebrating her birthday, made even better as the Brewers etched their spot in baseball lore one night after they were defeated in a stressfully-close, 12-inning long Game 4 contest.
“Everybody was saying to me ‘Maybe Ueckey held off because he wanted to give you a birthday present,” said Uecker told WTMJ’s Adam Roberts October 28 as the Brewers lifted the Commissioner’s Trophy behind them on the American Family Field centerfield big board. “I don’t know if that’s true or not, but couldn’t have asked for a better present.”
