MILWAUKEE— As Milwaukee celebrated its first World Series championship, three vehicles connected to the late Bob Uecker offered another way to remember the legendary broadcaster.
Uecker’s son, Bob Uecker Jr., shared the stories behind the vehicles displayed during the celebration: a 2021 Black Corvette, a replica of a 1980 Red Auburn and a motorcycle known as “The Uecker Special.”
For Uecker Jr., the vehicles carried sentimental value and preserved a connection to his father.
“Out of everything that’s here, I’m still taking my dad’s Corvette,” Uecker Jr. said. “The Corvette and the motorcycle are my two favorites. There’s a lot of other nice vehicles here, but these have a sentimental value to them.”
The motorcycle, a 1993 Dyna Low Rider, had a particularly personal history. Uecker Jr. said his father acquired it through Wally Rank of Rankinson Buick. Jon Rank, Wally’s son, had the motorcycle in his collection before it was sent to California to be painted.
The motorcycle was originally black, but Uecker Jr. said it was repainted to its current appearance. His father also wanted the number nine displayed on the gas tank, reflecting the number he wore during his time with the St. Louis Cardinals and Philadelphia Phillies.
Uecker Jr. explained that the motorcycle represented more than a favorite ride. After his father passed, it became part of his estate and was set to remain in the family.
“So this is a little bit of a disconnect between the artist and the sports world,” Uecker Jr. explained. “It’s months and months and months out in California. When it comes back, as you can see, the guy wrote out number nine as opposed to using the number 9. So that’s just a little bit of a history on the motorcycle. But he drove this for quite a few years and was in his estate after he passed away, so it’ll stay in the family.”
The vehicles were part of a celebration that brought together Brewers fans, team personnel and people connected to the franchise following Milwaukee’s championship.
Uecker Jr. said participating in the parade and celebrating with the Brewers organization was a memorable experience.
“It’s really neat,” he said. ”To be able to participate in the parade and to be connected to the Brewers and everything that they’ve done for us is just really fun and really unique.”
He also reflected on what his father might have thought about seeing Milwaukee win the World Series.
“I think he’d be overwhelmed,” Uecker Jr said. “A long time coming from a standpoint of a World Series. He played in the World Series in 1964 with the Cardinals or was on the team in 1964. And then obviously, the Brewers came up just a little bit short in 82. It’s been a long time. So I think he’d be overwhelmed and extremely proud of the guys and Pat Murphy and Mark [Attanasio] and the whole organization.”
Bob Uecker Sr. played with the Cardinals before becoming one of baseball’s most recognizable broadcasters. Uecker spent more than five decades calling Brewers games and became a beloved Milwaukee figure known for his humor, storytelling and deep connection with fans.
Uecker died Jan. 16, 2025, at age 90. His legacy remained a major part of Milwaukee’s baseball identity as fans celebrated the championship.
For Uecker Jr., the Corvette and motorcycle stood out among the vehicles on display because of their connection to his father. A reminder that the celebration was about more than a championship. It was also an opportunity to honor the people and memories woven into the Brewers’ history.
