Bob Uecker's Best from The Tonight Show

A generation ago, Bob Uecker gained national prominence through his appearances on legendary broadcaster Johnny Carson's "The Tonight Show." He appeared a record 62 times, his first in 1971, the initial year of his broadcasting career. These are the best of Uecker's appearances on the iconic late-night show.

Uecker said he often left after games on Sunday to make a Monday night appearance, then flew a red-eye back to Milwaukee in time for a Tuesday game. He parlayed his television fame into roles in Miller Lite advertisements and in "Major League" and "Mr. Belvedere."

Uecker and Carson's relationship began around World Series time in 1971, when Carson asked the former backup catcher to describe a few photos from his playing career. They became some of his most famous bits.

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Carson: Looks like a locker room celebration

Uecker: No, this is actually me getting ready for a game... I hadn't played in a couple days.

Carson: They primed you a little bit. Was that a pennant-winning team?

Uecker: No, not after that picture was taken.

***

Carson: This picture must be an exciting moment.

Uecker: This was on a day when the starting lineups were put on the board and the ballclub found out I wasn't playing.

***

Carson: You've got the physique of an athlete, where'd you get the ability?

Uecker: My dad came to the country as a soccer player. Well, he wasn't actually a player; he blew up the balls is what he did.

 

To watch the full episode:

April 30, 1976

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Uecker: In Philadelphia, we got in [a fight] and two players grabbed me, one on each arm and the other lifted my mask up and gave me a shot right in the chops. It kind of aggravated me because they were on my club.

Carson: What was your batting average?

Uecker: I had a lifetime batting average of .200... To me, after the game was much more important than the game itself. I've had some of my best nights after the game... Any player with ability can play - a guy to go out every night and punish himself and come back the next day hungover and with bad breath... I tried to stay around 1-2 home runs per year, 3-4 RBIs, because when you get up there in that category, they're going to expect the same thing from you or even more.

 

To watch the full interview:

Quote

 

Carson: Were you plagued by any injuries?

Uecker: For me, it was more my hands than anything else. You go into a bar after a ballgame and you're sitting there for 3-4 hours popping a few and sooner or later someone is going to step on your hands. Infected earlobe - makes your head lean over a little bit.

Carson: What was your lifetime batting average?

Uecker: .200... I laugh at the guys hitting .300, .320. What do they have to look forward to next year?

 

To watch the full interview: