Celebrating Bob Uecker: A Joyful Legacy in Baseball Remembrance

The passing of Bob Uecker last week at the age of 90 was not merely a reminder of what a fantastic person (and poor player) he was, but also an important realization — baseball is meant to be enjoyable. This is something that is easy to overlook if you have any connection with the Chicago White Sox.

According to the World Baseball Softball Confederation, over 65 million individuals globally participate in either of the two sports, and that’s just in organized teams or leagues, excluding neighborhood informal matches. Over 99.9% engage in it simply because it’s an enjoyable activity. The remaining play for the White Sox.

Alright, that’s not just. Not untrue, but not just.

Ultimately, it’s pretty darn challenging to appreciate a sport when you lose three-quarters of the time, with the entire baseball community scrutinizing your ineptitude. It’s hardly easy when you only lose 101 games. And distinctly tough prior to that, when your manager was a cranky old-timer with two DUIs on the books (and how many others you managed to evade, TLR?) who was so full of himself that he instructed opposing pitchers to target one of his own players because he was in a bad mood about the player relishing a game moment.

That’s quite unfortunate, as enjoying watching games becomes considerably easier when the athletes you’re observing are enjoying it as well.

I recall one occasion when I was batting against the Dodgers in Milwaukee. They were ahead, 2–1, it’s the bottom of the ninth, bases loaded, two outs, and the pitcher has a full count against me. I glance over at the Dodger dugout, and they’re all in street clothes.” — Bob Uecker

While Uecker may have been the most entertaining among any players, or at least former players, there are and have been numerous athletes whose passion for the game is evident — and that passion makes them likable in return. Many are or were stars, with Ernie Banks being the most noticeable example on a Chicago team. Nowadays, Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, Juan Soto, and Francisco Lindor among those receiving such accolades from fans and even rival players.

And it’s not that the White Sox have lacked players whose passion for the game shone brightly, including one at the pinnacle of any roster over the past decade.

Billy Hamilton might not have had a strong batting average, but he has ranked at the top of the majors in defense, baserunning, and enthusiasm ever since he entered the league, making every game he participated in more thrilling to watch. José Abreu’s dashes off the field, youthful grins rounding third base, and even his poorly thought-out slides on the concrete of the dugout added extra flavor.

Certainly, it’s simpler to demonstrate affection for baseball on defense or while running the bases than it is during batting or pitching, which demands a great deal of severe-focused concentration. Hence the clear passion shown by players like Alexei Ramírez, who always appeared amazed by his own abilities when he pulled off a remarkable play, and Mark Buehrle, who was as skilled with a glove as with a curveball and delighted in a clever play as much as a skillful pitch.

One not-so-stellar defender (though not terrible, regardless of how it frequently appeared) was Melky Cabrera, who shared Alexei’s astonishment at defensive accomplishments.

Often, after witnessing Melky execute a fantastic diving or sliding catch, you’d realize he succeeded right where he had initially started before veering off in the wrong direction for a bit. But that was part of the fun, and he recognized it.

Currently, Nicky Lopez — who was among those players whose enthusiasm for the game was visible — and Jake Amaya are no longer present. Unless one of the low-cost, dumpster-diving acquisitions of the offseason turns out to perform well, or a minor-leaguer who is not embarrassing in the field gets called up, the passion for the game might not be apparent — particularly with the likelihood of more dismal results for the forthcoming years.

(Luis Robert Jr. is undeniably an exceptional fielder and a delight to watch most of the time, but he’s a reserved type of individual, although he has earned a reputation for being something of a jokester.)

At the plate, naturally, the main display of exuberance for the game tends to emanate from bat flips. But that invites another Ueckerism:

I poke fun at situations and attempt to uncover the humor in things, but it’s never at the cost of the other guy.

Here lies the limitations of the grand bat flip. Many are indeed merely the result of pure exuberance, and a pleasure to witness. Many more are theatrical displays of the hitter’s own brilliance, akin to all that ostentation in professional football … still, no harm done. And some, regrettably, are provocations to the opposing pitcher, which have nothing to do with a genuine love for the game. Uecker paved the way, guys — go with him.

And what’s with the inability to express joy after attaining a hit? There are exceptions when a slugger barely taps a single 30 feet down the third-base line and knows it was sheer luck (one helped Andrew Vaughn break a significant 0-fer, as I recall), but predominantly it’s that peculiar ritual of signaling back to the dugout. Not enjoyable, at all.

But certainly, White Sox players, we comprehend it’s challenging to exhibit your affection for baseball when you’re incessantly being overwhelmed in games. It’s tough for us fans as well. But make an effort. Remember, as difficult as it may be, Bob Uecker faced it before you.

Anyone with talent can play in the major leagues. But to manage to deceive people year in and year out like I did, I believe that was a much more significant accomplishment. — Bob Uecker

And regarding the poor recent performances and records and those likely forthcoming in the next few years:

I set records that will never be matched. In fact, I hope 90% of them aren’t even published.