James Rowen

Wisconsin political and environmental writer

[James Rowen @jer45]

@SamKuffelWx Pitching is getting faster, more complex and unhittable. Time to lower the mound.

[James Rowen @jer45]

@BrianNizTMJ4 So that’s how they got the boat off the lakefront 👍.

[James Rowen @jer45]

@mitchellvii You should have hesitated posting this permanently. You disappoint completely.

[James Rowen @jer45]

@sydn3yfink Totally true.

[James Rowen @jer45]

@unclebarkycom Travesty.

[James Rowen @jer45]

@SamKuffelWx Regardless you’re still young. Revel in that🤗

[James Rowen @jer45]

@compujeramey More intentional heartbreak and pain to be inflicted on Milwaukee’s street. Madness!

[James Rowen @jer45]

@ShermanJeff Echoing something attributed to Winston Churchill about ‘a lie being able to get halfway around the world before truth puts its pants on in the morning.’

[James Rowen @jer45]

@compujeramey Predictions-fewer onsite jobs, even fewer for local residents, major water and energy demands creating environmental problems and burdensome financial costs
for taxpayers, neighbors and local governments.

[James Rowen @jer45]

@mdesisti Wonderful work, Mike.

[James Rowen @jer45]

@SamKuffelWx Great images.

[James Rowen @jer45]

@BrianNizTMJ4 One of Lake Park’s 8 sculpted lions on the two-ravine spanning pedestrian bridge a few steps below the North Point Lighthouse.

[James Rowen @jer45]

@unclebarkycom The choreography and dancers’ athleticism were spectacular.

[James Rowen @jer45]

@unclebarkycom Shocking!😮

[John Axford @JohnAxford]

When I returned to Milwaukee for that one fateful game in 2021, after blowing out my elbow and walking off the mound, I was emotional and unsure of what to do for days. Until one afternoon, Bob and I chatted in the food room at the stadium… he asked what my plan was. I told him my options; surgery and try again or walk away happy with my career. When I told him I didn’t know what to do, he told me “No, you do know! No one knows what it’s like to be out there! How much you put in. They’re not like us Axy! People just don’t get it!” He was fired up (there may have been a lot more swearing haha). He kept going. I listened. He was still a player at heart. Every day. He loved the game and the players in it. When he spoke to you on this level he was your teammate. His emotion, passion, and words that day resonated with me more than anyone or anything else. It lead me to surgery and an 18 month journey just to get out there and pitch one last time. He was right!

In August this past summer I was fortunate to briefly chat with Bob in the Brewers clubhouse. Still as great as ever and still one of the boys. Laughing it up but also expressing that serious and empathetic side that people outside the clubhouse rarely saw. I’m happy I got that brief moment in time.

Bob was an absolute treasure to the game. I’m so grateful for that conversation in 2021. I’m grateful for the time I got to spend with him in my playing career. Even when I wasn’t playing for Milwaukee he would take the time to catch up on the field before games. I feel lucky to have had such a legendary voice call so many of my moments on the mound. Hearing him say “heeee struck him out!” in those late innings to end a close game felt exhilarating. His excitement during those calls always made me feel larger than life on the mound when I heard them after. Or perhaps he was just happy I finally got out of the heart palpitating jam I put myself in to begin with! Haha.

He called me Axy in person…one of the only people in the game to ever call me that! So in turn, I would call him Uecky! He made you feel special. An undeniable character through and through. Irreplaceable. An immense loss to baseball and the wonderful city of Milwaukee. We’ll all miss him.

Love you Uecky

[Sophia Minnaert @SophiaMinnaert]

We couldn’t ask Bob Uecker for more than what he gave us. His baseball history, voice & stories were unmatched. I can’t imagine having a fuller life & bringing more joy to everyone. I will forever be grateful for his friendship- what a gift.

I will think of him every game.💙💛

[MLB @MLB]

19 minutes of legendary Bob Uecker calls and moments 💙

[James Rowen @jer45]

@mdesisti Perfect, Mike.

[James Rowen @jer45]

@Haudricourt @journalsentinel @jsonline @Todd_Rosiak @CyrtHogg Loved your contribution.

[Tom @Haudricourt]

For #Brewers fans mourning the loss of the great Bob Uecker, I encourage you to pick up the @journalsentinel or go to @jsonline for extraordinary coverage and tributes. I counted 23 stories online this morning. Special kudos to beat writers @Todd_Rosiak and @CyrtHogg.