Giants star Willy Adames honors late Brewers icon Bob Uecker with unique tribute originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
During his four MLB seasons in Milwaukee, Giants shortstop Willy Adames forged a strong connection with legendary Brewers broadcaster Bob Uecker.
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As Adames’ former team held a celebration of life for Uecker before Sunday’s series finale between the Giants and Brewers at American Family Field, the Milwaukee-turned-San Francisco star donned a special pair of cleats to honor his late friend, who died at age 90 on Jan. 16 earlier this year.
The cleats, in Brewers colors, include Uecker’s iconic “Get up, get up, get outta here! Gone!” home run call, along with his famous title “Mr. Baseball” and a “thank you” to Milwaukee.
Adames and Uecker shared a special handshake together, and Adames’ father also was extremely close to the 2003 Ford C. Frick Award winner. Before Friday’s series opener, Adames reflected on his relationship and favorite moments with Uecker in a conversation with reporters.
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“It feels like every day was an unbelievable moment with him,” Adames said. “I mean, his energy was insane, and it was unbelievable every day. I’d say [my best memory] when he was hanging out with my dad every time, and I was like, ‘How do you guys communicate? How do you guys talk to each other? How do you guys like each other so much?’
“It was just special. They had a really good relationship, so I think that made me appreciate [Uecker] more because he embraced my family, even though they didn’t speak the same language. They’d send each other gifts. I was like, ‘How do you guys like each other so much? I don’t understand what’s going on here.’ But obviously, he was that kind of person.”
It certainly has been an emotional return to Milwaukee for Adames, who homered twice in Friday’s 5-4 loss — one of which incredibly came on the first pitch after a standing ovation from Brewers fans.
On Sunday, however, Uecker was on everyone’s minds and in their hearts, and most certainly in that of Adames.
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