“I cannot say enough about the family and how great they have been to partner with us on this,” Barnes said. “With few exceptions, there have been daily conversations with the family on what we want to do and how we want to do it, and some things that they want to do.
“We’re all looking for the right tone for how this is going to be presented, because you’re talking about a great entertainer and one of the funniest people in the history of comedy, but it also has to be very respectful and very thoughtful. You want to be striking that right emotion.”
If you can’t be there in person on Sunday, the Brewers' telecast on FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin and Uecker’s former radio partners on the Brewers Radio Network will have live coverage of the ceremony. And once the game begins -- first pitch is scheduled for 1:10 p.m. CT -- the celebration continues with between-innings programming throughout the day.
The Brewers are keeping the guest list and details of the program under wraps, except to say that it will be hosted by Bob Costas. But anyone who followed Uecker’s one-of-a-kind career knows it will include nods to his forays into television, film, advertising and comedy, along with plenty of baseball, of course.
Here is some of the other things the Brewers have planned for Sunday:
-- A limited-edition retail collection honoring Uecker will be available Sunday at all retail locations at American Family Field, including a pop-up location on the Loge Level. The items are expected to sell out that day and will not be re-ordered, Barnes said, a special poster from original work created by artist Ryan Duggan, and other apparel and novelty items with references to Uecker’s iconic tag lines, his Milwaukee baseball career and his career as an entertainer. A portion of proceeds will benefit three charities supported by Uecker throughout his career: The Wounded Warrior Project, The ALS Association and the Bob Uecker Chair for Cancer Research.
-- The Uecker memorial uniform patch will be available for purchase at the main Brewers Team Store for one day only, but it must be applied to jerseys purchased that day or existing purchased jerseys.
-- All charitable proceeds from the Brewers Charities 50/50 raffle that day will benefit causes supported by Uecker.
-- The grounds crew will install specially-made bases with a Uecker jewel on the side, and the Brewers and Giants will play with baseballs imprinted with a Uecker logo. So if you catch a foul ball on Sunday, you’re going home with a collector’s item.
