Bucks root-root-roots crowd for Bob Uecker in tribute to Brewer’s legend

It’s not often you hear “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” in an NBA arena. But Milwaukee Bucks he brought the basic product at the Fiserv Forum on Friday as part of an extended tribute Bob Uecker, the legendary Milwaukee Brewers broadcaster who has died Thursday.

“Root root root for the Brewers,” the crowd chanted as Uecker towered above on the Jumbotron, leading the chorus in a pre-recorded video. The song rounded out the tribute to Uecker, the baseball Hall of Famer that he was on the mic for Brewers games for 54 seasons.

“I was at a funeral and the preacher was talking about a dash, you know, whatever, the day you’re born, then the day you die, and a dash in the middle,” coach Doc Rivers he said before the game against the Toronto Raptors. “When you think of Ueck, he filled the bar as much as any human being who ever lived. And it’s pretty cool to do. We should all try to do that.”

Bucks fans, most of whom also support the Brewers, appreciated the gesture. Brandon Peace, 22, attended the game in his hometown of Milwaukee wearing Giannis Antetokounmpo’s jersey and was emotional to see the Bucks’ tribute.

“It was definitely something special,” said Peace, a college baseball player. “Bob Uecker is obviously a staple in Wisconsin, especially in Milwaukee. I mean, he’s everything that explains Milwaukee sports and Wisconsin sports in general. So hearing that at the Bucks game meant a lot.”

The Bucks dominated their first game since Uecker’s death in a 130-112 win over the Toronto Raptors.

“We did it for him tonight,” go ahead Bobby Portis he said of Uecker after the game as he offered his condolences to the Uecker and Brewers families.

The win was the sixth in seven games for the surging Bucks, who have easily won three home games this week.

Combined, they outscored the Kings, Magic and Raptors 118-64 in the first quarter, using lockdown defense to hold the teams to a combined 33.6% shooting in the first frame. In each game, the Bucks held big early leads, cruising to victory.

Up next: Philadelphia 76ers at home on Sunday.