“Lost a Legend… Rest in Peace”: Charles Barkley Mourns After MLB Legend Succumbs to Cancer Following Long Battle

“I led the league in go get ’em next time.” Bob Uecker’s self-deprecating humor will not just be a testament to how secure he was, but also a part of his legacy as a sportscaster. No wonder the entire sports community has been mourning the loss of the former MLB star at 90. Among the most recent ones has been NBA legend turned broadcaster Charles Barkley along with Ernie Johnson.

“We lost a legend. Bob Uecker,” Barkley announced on The Steam Room. He recalled receiving the news via a text from Brian Anderson, followed by a statement released by Uecker’s family confirming the news.

Reflecting on his personal encounters with the MLB legend, Barkley shared, “I met Mr. Uecker 25 times probably in my life,” adding it was 25 of the best times he ever had been around someone. “A baseball lifer, a baseball fanatic, a friend of a sport. Bob Uecker, man, I just want to congratulate him on a life well-lived.”

Ernie Johnson, who joined the tribute, highlighted Bob’s remarkable ability to craft a lasting legacy beyond the playing field. “I mean, you make it to the big leagues, you’re a good player… But he was so self-deprecating. And he was on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson all the time because he just told great stories about baseball.”

Barkley agreed, signing off with a heartfelt, “Rest in peace, Mr. Uecker.”

Born in 1934, Bob Uecker had become synonymous with the Milwaukee Brewers, beginning his role as their play-by-play voice in 1971. His decades-long association with the Brewers remains one of the longest tenures in Major League Baseball broadcasting. Nicknamed ‘Mr. Baseball’ as a humorous nod to his modest six-year playing career, Uecker’s contributions far transcended the field.

His Ford C. Frick Award in 2003 was, however, a testament to his importance to the game too as he found a well-deserved place in the National Baseball Hall of Fame. And even as Bob battled small-cell lung cancer in 2023, his dedication never wavered. His voice may have fallen silent, but his legacy will echo for generations.

The time when Bob Uecker got the better of Charles Barkley with his words

Barkley is known for his quick wit and playful trolling, often sitting alongside Shaquille O’Neal, Kenny Smith, and Ernie Johnson bringing humor to the NBA world. Yet, there was one instance when the tables turned. And Bob Uecker, with his sharp sense of humor, bested Chuck.

It’s hard to imagine, but it happened.

Those who have followed the former Philadelphia 76ers star off-the-court would know Chuck struggled with consistency in his golf game. His early attempts and form at the game were far from graceful, often drawing laughter from those around him.

During a tribute to Uecker, a TNT broadcaster reminded everyone of the time the ex-MLB star took a jab at Charles Barkley’s golfing skills. “He used to say about Charles’ golfing, ‘You don’t need a golf swing, Charles, you need an exorcism.'”

As the basketball world reflects on Uecker’s passing, his playful remarks continue to live on in the memories of those who knew him, including Charles Barkley.