Brewers Win First World Series as Yelich Dedicates Title to Bob Uecker
Christian Yelich dedicated the Milwaukee Brewers’ first World Series title to Bob Uecker, the team’s beloved broadcaster who died last year, moments after a 4-1 win over the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 5 on Wednesday, 28 October, USA Today reported.
The Brewers won the deciding game at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida, to claim the championship for the first time in franchise history, NBC Sports reported, citing Associated Press reporting. Jacob Misiorowski threw five and two-thirds scoreless innings before leaving with a cramp in his right calf to a standing ovation, and rookie Cooper Pratt drove in two runs.
It was the franchise’s 58th season, and its only previous World Series trip, in 1982, ended in defeat to the St. Louis Cardinals, NBC Sports reported. After losing a dramatic 12-inning Game 4, Milwaukee closed out the series at the first opportunity.
“This one’s for Ueck”
Yelich, speaking to Fox Sports after the game, said Uecker had been on the team’s mind throughout the run. “He’s smiling, man, he’s smiling. I really wish he could’ve been here to see this,” Yelich said, according to USA Today. “That would have meant everything. He’s been with us a lot. We keep him close to our hearts.”
“This one’s still for Bob,” Yelich added. “This one’s for Ueck. Ueck, I love you, man. And we did it.” Manager Pat Murphy echoed the tribute, saying, “I know the man Ueck upstairs is looking down,” USA Today reported.
A voice Milwaukee kept close
Uecker was the Brewers’ radio voice for more than half a century and was known nationally as “Mr. Baseball” for his appearances on talk shows, in the Major League films and in the television show Mr. Belvedere, USA Today reported. He died in January 2025 after a private battle with small-cell lung cancer, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported, and his dream of seeing Milwaukee crowned champions went unrealised in his lifetime.
The team had honoured him throughout the postseason. In Game 4, during the Stand Up To Cancer moment, Brewers players, staff and fans held placards reading “UECK”, the Journal Sentinel reported. Uecker’s family had shared a letter before the series saying Milwaukee and the team meant everything to him.
What the win means
For Milwaukee, the wait is over — and, as Yelich made clear, the title was won with Uecker’s memory at its centre.
Sources: USA Today, NBC Sports and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 28 October 2026.