Brewers honor late broadcaster Bob Uecker with World Series parade

The Milwaukee Brewers won their first World Series title 19 months after Bob Uecker died, a fact that cast a long shadow over Friday's celebration in downtown Milwaukee.

The parade began with double-decker buses carrying the 26 players on the World Series roster and team employees. The vehicles moved through streets packed with an estimated 500,000 to 750,000 fans. The procession made a specific stop at the corner of Jackson and Mason Streets to pay tribute to the Hall of Fame broadcaster.

The organization planned to have Uecker present for the event, but his absence was marked by an 80-by-100-foot mural on the side of the Wintrust Financial Center. Players and staff jumped down from the shuttles to show the trophy to the painted image of the legendary voice.

Team captain Christian Yelich spoke to the media before the rally, noting that Uecker had talked openly about wanting to see a championship before he passed. "He would have been just as popular as the trophy," Yelich said. "This was for him."

The route wound through the city to the American Family Insurance Amphitheatre, the venue used for Summerfest each July. The celebration included many figures from the franchise's history, not just the current roster. Robin Yount, Paul Molitor, Ted Simmons, and Ryan Braun were all in attendance. Ted Simmons, who played his final game for the team more than three decades ago, declared that the group finally felt like champions.

Former owner Bud Selig, who brought Major League Baseball back to Milwaukee in 1970, was also present. The crowd responded enthusiastically to current players as well. Right fielder Sal Frelick told the audience he was going to have a beer for every single person there. The players appeared to back up that claim as they enjoyed the day.

Manager Pat Murphy noted that the team planned to bring the trophy to Uecker's grave. "He would make this thing even better," Murphy said. The sentiment reflected a franchise that waited 57 years for its first championship.

The rally featured speeches from various players and former teams. Members of the 1982 Brewers, who lost the World Series in seven games, were greeted with their own parade. Ryan Braun later grabbed the microphone and urged the crowd to scream Uecker's name.

The event concluded with a musical performance. Hitting coach Daniel Vogelbach, urged on by players, sang "Stacy's Mom" by Fountains of Wayne. The crowd responded with applause.

Owner Mark Attanasio said he knew the team would win before Game 1 of the National League Championship Series when he saw the Uecker mural during a car ride. "I knew it then," Attanasio said. When asked about the meaning of the day, he stated that reality far exceeds your dreams.