On The Radio Ep. 10

Not being a follower of Milwaukee Brewers baseball I had no idea who their radio broadcasters were. When the app AT BAT offered audio for $19.99 I was able to listen to a Milwaukee Brewer game broadcast. I was surprised to learn that the radio announcer from the Major League movies was the lead announcer for the Milwaukee Brewers.

Bob Uecker was amazing in his role in the Major League movies and I found him to be an interesting guy to listen to during a ballgame. Interesting and fun to listen to like our own Ted Leitner!

This is his 48th season as a broadcaster for his hometown team, calling games on 620 WTMJ and the Brewers Radio Network, Bob Uecker celebrates his 63rd year in baseball.

Uecker earned the prestigious Ford C. Frick Award in 2003 and will forever be recognized in Baseball's Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York. On July 27, 2003, he made one of the most memorable speeches in Hall of Fame history as he left his audience, including former President George H.W. Bush, in tears from laughter.

Also in 2003, Uecker became a member of the Brewers Walk of Fame, which is located near home plate outside Miller Park. In 2012, he was inducted into the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) Broadcasting Hall of Fame.

On August 31, 2012, Uecker was given a very special honor as a statue bearing his likeness was dedicated outside Miller Park. The ceremony was attended by celebrities, current and former players, family and friends. Uecker's statue joined those previously dedicated to fellow Hall of Famers Hank Aaron, Robin Yount and Commissioner Emeritus Allan H. "Bud" Selig.

MXLLS

On April 25, 2014, a second statue was dedicated in Uecker's honor, this one in the last row of the "Uecker Seats" on Miller Park's Terrace Level. The statue commemorates Uecker's Miller Lite commercials in which he famously delivered the often repeated line, "I must be in the front row!" The statue allows fans a special photo opportunity. Also in 2014, Uecker was commissioned into the Brewers Wall of Honor inaugural class.

The statue commemorates Uecker's Miller Lite commercials in which he famously delivered the often repeated line, "I must be in the front row!" The statue allows fans a special photo opportunity. Also in 2014, Uecker was commissioned into the Brewers Wall of Honor inaugural class.

Known across the country as "Mr. Baseball," Uecker is highly respected in the industry. In 2001, he was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame, where he joined such baseball broadcasting luminaries as Vin Scully, Mel Allen, Red Barber, Ernie Harwr American icons such as Bob Hope, Jack Benny, Edward R. Murrow and Orson Welles. In 2011, he was inducted into the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association Hall of Fame.

Uecker has been named Wisconsin Sportscaster of the Year five times during his career and was inducted into the Wisconsin Sports Hall of Fame in 1998. Also, for his efforts, he was inducted into the Wisconsin Performing Artists Hall of Fame in 1993, which was established in 1983 to honor nationally and internationally known performing artists with Wisconsin ties. In 1994, Uecker was elected to the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame. In January 1995, he earned the Big B.A.T. Award from the Baseball Assistance Team at a dinner in New York City for his continuing support of former Major League stars who are in need of assistance.

Despite his national attention and success, Uecker never forgot his roots. In 2015, he was honored with the Lombardi Foundation's Award of Excellence for his role in helping raise funds and awareness for cancer research. His philanthropic efforts have also benefitted several local organizations, including the United Performing Arts Fund, the Midwest Athletes Against Childhood Cancer Fund, the Milwaukee Symphony, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee and Big Brothers/Big Sisters.

In addition, Uecker is an advocate for organizations that battle cystic fibrosis and heart disease, and is involved with the Wisconsin Department of Tourism and the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Jeff Levering

Jeff Levering is entering his fourth season with the Brewers after joining the organization in January 2015.

In addition to calling play-by-play on 620 WTMJ, Levering has also provided content through the Club's social media platforms as the creator of a podcast called Brewers on Tap and the Minor Details blog, featuring information on the team's minor-league system.

During each of the past three offseasons, Levering has served as a play-by-play announcer for college basketball games on FOX Sports and the Big Ten Network.

Levering previously spent two seasons (2013-14) as the lead broadcaster of the Triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox. He worked for three seasons (2010-12) as the radio voice and manager of public relations for the Double-A Springfield Cardinals.

Prior to arriving in Springfield, he spent three seasons (2007-09) as director of broadcasting/media relations for the Class-A Rancho Cucamonga Quakes.

Levering began his professional broadcasting career in 2005 as a field reporter and associate producer for FOX Sports West/Prime Ticket in Los Angeles, covering the Angels, Lakers and UCLA.

Levering received his bachelor's degree in broadcast journalism from Chapman University in Orange, California, where he also played baseball all four years. He was the starting designated hitter on the 2003 D-III national championship team.

Lane Grindle

Lane Grindle begins his third season with the Brewers after joining the radio broadcast team in February 2016. Throughout the season, he teams with Jeff Levering during games missed by Hall of Famer Bob Uecker.

Grindle joined the Brewers following 10 seasons (2006-15) behind the microphone for University of Nebraska baseball radio broadcasts on the Husker Sports Network. He spent his first two seasons as the Cornhuskers' pre/postgame host prior to becoming the play-by-play announcer in 2008. Grindle also held positions as a pregame host and sideline announcer for Nebraska football (2007-15) and hosted a television show for Nebraska basketball (2008-13).

Grindle graduated from the University of South Dakota in 2004 with a degree in contemporary media and journalism, and minored in history. He and his wife, Ali, have three daughters, Josie, Payton and Harper, and a son named Luke. They reside in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin.

NEXT ROAD GAME: COLORADO ROCKIES 8/21 - 23, 2018