Philly Leader

Bob Uecker, a celebrated figure in baseball, shared memories of his time with the Philadelphia Phillies. Known for his humor and storytelling, Uecker recounted his experiences during an interview that highlighted his relationships and career moments.

Reflecting on a trade that brought him to Philadelphia in 1965, Uecker said, “Of course, I was the main player in the deal. I didn’t want to go, but I thought, ‘Well, if I don’t go, it’s going to be the end for Dick Groat and Bill White.’ So that was the only reason I agreed to go to Philadelphia.” He expressed admiration for manager Gene Mauch: “It actually gave me one of the great thrills of my life, which was playing for Gene Mauch.”

Uecker spoke fondly of his time in Philadelphia: “Philly still is one of my favorite towns. It really is. The fans there are totally fanatic about baseball.” He also humorously recalled a fabricated story about an altercation with a fan.

Discussing teammate Dick Allen, Uecker remarked, “He’s one of my favorite people of all time. Dick and I used to hang around a lot... He’s one of my all-time favorite people. I have nothing but fond and great memories of Dick Allen.”

On Connie Mack Stadium, he commented on the contrast between past and present conditions: “Players back then never knew or never imagined or could ever dream of what they have today as players.”

Uecker reflected on hitting seven home runs in 1966: “I started realizing what I was doing and I said, ‘Man, I’ve got to lay back or they’re going to expect this every year.’”

He also shared an anecdote about being pinch-hit by Mauch before batting: “Gene winked at me like he made a genius move... What could I say? It worked. Nice going.”

Uecker's recollections provide insight into his character and experiences during his playing days with the Phillies.