John Sterling called Yankees games for over three decades before he retired this past year from the broadcast booth — a run that wasn’t surpassed by many, but Bob Uecker was one.
“I loved Ueck,’’ Sterling said by phone Thursday after learning of Uecker’s death at the age of 90. “I didn’t like him, I loved the guy. The thing I loved most about him was that he was Bob Uecker. He wasn’t Sam Straightarrow. There was no one else like him.”
Uecker spent more than 50 years as a broadcaster after his six-year MLB playing career ended in 1967.
Bob Uecker died on Thursday at 90 years old.AP
He went on to star in movies, TV shows and commercials.
“He was a great talent, a unique talent,’’ Sterling said.
Sterling got to know Uecker well thanks in part to Joe Torre, who played with Uecker in Milwaukee early in Uecker’s career and in Atlanta during Uecker’s final season.
John Sterling said Bob Uecker “paved the road for broadcasters” like himself.Robert Sabo for NY Post
Uecker — like Sterling — was part of a different generation of broadcasters that showed more personality.
“I loved his talent and ability,’’ Sterling said when asked if Uecker influenced his style.
“I was gonna be me no matter what, because who else would I be?” said Sterling, 86. “But he certainly paved the road for broadcasters, with his style and humor being shown all over the place.”
