In the years before his passing, Bob Uecker, the beloved radio announcer universally known as “Mr. Baseball,” spoke often with Brewers players about his hopes to see them win the National League pennant and play in the World Series.

While Uecker didn’t live long enough to see his team knock on the door of its potential first championship title, his memory has been absolutely everywhere throughout the Brewers’ October run.

“He always talked about wanting to see one. He always wanted to see us win one,” said Brewers designated hitter Christian Yelich, who was especially close with Uecker. “He always said he wanted to be around for it. In a lot of ways, he is.”

Uecker -- the broadcaster, actor and TV pitchman who made a career out of poking fun at his less-than-spectacular Major League catching career -- has been mentioned countless times throughout Milwaukee’s nearly spotless run through October. And he was remembered again in the middle of Game 4 on Tuesday, when play on the field briefly paused for the annual Stand Up To Cancer moment.

Uecker passed in January of 2025 from small-cell lung cancer, months after he called his final Brewers postseason game. The original diagnosis wasn’t made public, but those closest to Uecker knew what was happening. That included Yelich, who did not have to think very long about who he would honor on his hand-written placard.

“It just feels like it’s fitting, the obvious choice to make,” Yelich said.

That sentiment was team-wide. As the cameras panned over Brewers players who were lined up in front of their dugout, one name appeared on every placard: “UECK.”

“He’s still with us in a lot of ways. We’re trying to honor him and bring him along with us,” Yelich said. “He might not be here physically, but I think he’s still with us.” 

As is tradition at the end of the fifth inning of Game 4 at every World Series in partnership with Mastercard, play on the field paused, and everyone in the ballpark -- players, managers, coaches, fans and umpires -- was invited to hold up placards containing the names of someone they know who has been affected by cancer. That includes those who are currently fighting it, those who survived it, and those who have succumbed to it.

Rays manager Kevin Cash’s placard said “Alyssa F.” Outfielder Chandler Simpson wrote “Aunt Keisha” and “DeMarrio” on his. First baseman Jonathan Aranda wrote “Alana” and “Lupita,” while closer Bryan Baker honored “Aunt Klay” on his sign.

Hall of Fame shortstop Derek Jeter, an analyst on the FOX pregame and postgame show, wrote “Gerald Williams” on his placard, in memory of his former teammate, who passed away from cancer at the age of 55 in 2022.

MLB, Stand Up To Cancer and Mastercard have been at the forefront of the in-stadium moment since the first one was held in 2009. The moment airs live on FOX and gives the entire baseball-watching community, inside the ballpark and around the world, the opportunity to come together in support of one common cause -- fighting cancer. 

Stand Up To Cancer is a groundbreaking initiative created to accelerate innovative cancer research and get new therapies to patients quicker. Since its inception, SU2C has announced multiple Food and Drug Administration approvals for new cancer therapies supported by SU2C research. 

MLB and its 30 clubs are SU2C's founding donors, supporting innovative cancer research programs. Learn more about SU2C at StandUptoCancer.org/MLB.