On Thursday we lost Bob Uecker -- the legendary Milwaukee-based baseball broadcaster, comedian, star of films and movies, beer commercials, a guest on the "Tonight Show" with Johnny Carson (more than 100 times!) and all-around cultural force.

Uecker -- a backup catcher on the 1964 World Series champion Cardinals -- died at age 90. Uecker, a Hall of Fame broadcaster, squeezed everything out of those 90 years on this earth. His success was our pleasure. He loved to tell stories that we always adored. He was the best at making self-deprecating jokes that made is all chuckle?

Who does this? Who goes from being a backup, tuba-carrying catcher with 297 games in the majors and a career .200 average -- his initial public platform -- to become a huge star in the entertainment industry?

It was a one-of-a-kind life for a one-of-a-kind guy. Thankfully Uecker shared it with us. If I had a tuba, I'd play it in his honor today. And I just might have to lift a can of Miller Lite and take a sip in his honor.