Whew. I’m tired.
Beth and I traveled to Oconomowoc, Wisconsin Saturday afternoon—a strategic location for our long awaited trip with our son Gus and his Aunt Bev to a Milwaukee Brewers game.
We weren’t in the front row but we had good seats in right field. Thanks Aunt Bev, for the photo.
But not just any game. At this game, every single attendee received an alarm clock. But not just any alarm clock: A Bob Uecker alarm clock.
Uecker is known for a lot of things, among them being a comically bad Major League Baseball player—he did deadpan bits on how bad that made him a favorite on late night TV. He had a role (as a dad who is also a sportscaster/writer) in a popular 1980s sitcom called Mr. Belvedere. He made the unforgettable “I must be in the front row” commercial for Miller Lite. And, playing the role of the Cleveland Indians radio announcer in the movie Major League, his understated and sarcastic call, “Just a bit outside,” on a wildly wild pitch lives on.
Easily forgotten, however—or simply not known to those who’ve not had the pleasure—he’s an absolutely fantastic baseball radio announcer. There can only be one Vin Scully, but in my view, Uecker’s a close second. Uecker’s home run call typically goes like this:
Get up, get up, get outta here!
Uecker on Johnny Carson, 1982. He’s been a staple of late night.
We had a great time, but the driving to Watertown to pick up Gus, and then to Miller Park for the game, then back to Watertown, then back to Milwaukee for the night—well, it wore this guy out. Not to mention remembering how to get Gus in and out of the wheelchair and in and out of the rented car without ending up in traction.
I’m happy to say, I haven’t lost my stuff on that fathering front.
But boy am I tired. Sure am glad I have this to wake up to tomorrow morning.
You have to watch, and listen, to believe. (Click for a taste.)
Awesome clock! Loved this one Mike
Bonus knucklehead story: I didn’t turn the alarm off and left it in Beth’s office. Somehow it had fallen into Beth’s dresser drawer. So at 5:00 a.m. I’m looking behind and beneath the dresser while Bob keeps repeating his wakeup call. Finally figured out he was in the drawer.
The gift that keeps on giving…..I’m afraid to take mine outta the box!
Terrific clock! “Get up!” is much more apt than the Yankees’ announcer’s “See ya.”
Lots of traveling but what a great reward. Time with Gus AND the coolest clock ever!! Great Uecker highlights!
Gus loves the Brewers AND his rents. He was very content all afternoon. It was a great visit!
sorry Mike this is belated but I did enjoy your post. Mom and Dad always enjoyed him on Carson. And that alarm clock….a great practical joke but you were your own victim! Glad Gus likes his but it is even worse than the bird clock that tortured me hourly at my Aunt’s one night….I couldn’t figure out what the bizarre squawks were waking me up all night…….
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