Elephant Rumblings: Bob Uecker dies at 90

MLB news roundup

Happy Friday, Athletics Nation!

Bob Uecker isn’t a prominent figure in A’s history, but he deserves recognition and respect from every baseball fan for his decades of contributions to the game, highlighted by 53 years as a Milwaukee Brewers broadcaster. As a kid, I came to know him as a TV dad on the 80s sitcom Mr. Belvedere.

Uecker continued calling games after his lung cancer diagnosis in 2023, holding fast to the game he loved until the very end. He died at the age of 90 yesterday. RIP, Mr. Baseball.

The A’s signed two-way Japanese player Shotaro Morii this week. The 18-year-old signed straight out of high school, breaking with the tradition that legends like Ichiro Suzuki and Shohei Ohtani followed by establishing themselves in Japan’s professional league before crossing the Pacific to play in MLB. Chad Jennings and Cody Stavenhagen at The Athletic went in depth on Morii’s “rare path” to the Athletics system.

Our friends at SI.com continue with their assessments of potential additions to the A’s 2025 roster. Yesterday, they evaluated three more starting pitchers the A’s could target to round out their offseason moves: Chris Paddack, Andrew Heaney, and Cal Quantrill. Personally, I’d rather see the A’s add a strong relief arm than any more back-of-rotation types.

With his sweet curveball, Zack Jackson briefly figured to become a key arm in the A’s bullpen. Sadly, injuries hampered Zack Jack’s progress, and his comeback bid faltered last year after the 30-year-old was designated for assignment. Jackson announced his retirement from baseball on Wednesday. Athletics Nation wishes Zack all the best through the next chapter in his life.

Have a wonderful weekend, AN.

A’s Coverage:

• Athletics signee Shotaro Morii is charting a rare path for Japanese baseball players ($)
• 3 Pitchers the A’s Could Look to Add to the Rotation
• 2024 first-rounder Kurtz makes new Top 10 1B Prospects list
• Former A’s, Blue Jays Reliever Has Announced His Retirement

MLB News & Interest:

• Bob Uecker, Hall of Fame broadcaster and revered baseball personality, dies at 90 ($)
• Stark: My 2025 Baseball Hall of Fame ballot — the 10 players I voted for, and why ($)
• Mets Reportedly Expect Pete Alonso To Sign Elsewhere
• Alex Bregman Not Considering Short-Term Deals
• Here’s the 2025 Spring Breakout schedule
• Padres To Sign Martín Maldonado To Minor League Deal
• Cubs, Kyle Tucker Avoid Arbitration
• On the banks of the Nile in Uganda, a Pirates prospect’s major-league dream begins ($)
• Today in Baseball History

Best of X:

A’s release a handful of Dominican Summer League players..

..and sign a pair.

Pinder’s first coaching gig!