The atmosphere in the Milwaukee Brewers clubhouse was somber, filled with tears and embraces, as players faced a realization that this defeat went beyond just a season ending.

It signified the close of a cherished 54-year chapter where a community adored its broadcaster, who reciprocated that love for the city’s hardworking spirit.

The Brewers were just three outs away from advancing in the wild-card series towards Philadelphia. However, in a heartbreaking twist, New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso hit a devastating three-run home run in the ninth inning of a do-or-die game, sealing the Brewers’ fate for the 2024 season.

The loss left everyone in disbelief and deep sorrow, especially as they watched Bob Uecker, their beloved broadcaster and the face of the franchise, make his way out the door.

No words were necessary.

They understood the significance of this moment.

“That’s why the emotions were so high,” Brewers outfielder Christian Yelich stated. “We all realized it might be the last time we had Bob involved in a game like this.”

Little did they know, it indeed was Uecker’s final game, as he passed away Thursday morning at the age of 90.

“It was a thought that lingered among those close to him,” Brewers manager Pat Murphy shared with YSL News Sports. “Watching him comfort others while knowing it might be his last game showed his true character. …

“He was in considerable pain.”

Uecker, who was about to celebrate his 91st birthday in just ten days, had been fighting small cell lung cancer since early 2023, and the toll was becoming unbearable. However, he kept his struggles private, avoiding sympathy or diverting attention from his beloved Brewers.

“He didn’t want to discuss it,” said Brewers owner Mark Attanasio. “He was very private about his condition. Only a handful of people were aware of what he was going through. There were times he would undergo radiation and still show up at the ballpark the same day to broadcast the game.”

On this particular night, Uecker walked silently through the clubhouse, greeting players with handshakes and hugs until he reached closer Devin Williams, who was the pitcher that allowed the game-winning home run. While their conversation remains a mystery, it was enough to bring a smile to Williams’ face.

Yelich, Willy Adames, Murphy, and Brewers GM Matt Arnold were among those who shed tears when Uecker made his exit.

Attanasio waited outside the clubhouse for Uecker for about an hour and a half to two hours, not wanting to interrupt his time with the players who idolized him.

“I understood the gravity of the situation,” Attanasio said. “The players had a close bond with him. I wanted to give them their moment together. It meant a lot to him. The emotions were overwhelming.”

The small group lingered in the Brewers’ clubhouse until 5 a.m., reminiscing about the game, the season, their future, but primarily about Uecker.

His impact on the organization was significant, and when news of his passing broke Thursday morning, though expected, it still hit hard within the organization.

“He had come to terms with dying for some time,” said Brewers owner Mark Attanasio, who last visited him in November. “He was truly the heart of Milwaukee baseball.”

Uecker had deep affection for Milwaukee, and the sentiment was mutual.

He was Mr. Baseball in this delightful, industrious town, holding a locker in the Brewers’ clubhouse, a statue in his honor outside the stadium, and yet, he never signed a contract, feeling a handshake was sufficient.

Born and raised in Milwaukee, he never envisioned leaving.

“He had numerous opportunities to depart the city, to move out of state,” Attanasio recalled stories of George Steinbrenner attempting to recruit him when he owned the New York Yankees. “He could have pursued acting or comedy. He was a Wisconsin icon, steadfastly loyal to his home state.

“He was one of us.”

In truth, he might have been the finest ambassador for Milwaukee — an individual unlike any other — whose charismatic spirit will forever be a part of the Brewers’ legacy.

“To say “one of a kind’ doesn’t really do justice,” Murphy remarked. “He was not just a hero; he was a legend, and as legends say:

“They never fade away.’”