‘Mr. Baseball’ Mural Will Overlook East Town
Artist Mauricio Ramirez painting 100-foot tribute to Bob Uecker.
Mr. Baseball mural. Photo taken May 19, 2026 by Sophie Bolich.
A 100-foot mural rising on a downtown Milwaukee building is already hinting at its subject: a blue-and-gold banner, a wired microphone, and a blank face that will soon belong to Bob Uecker.
The former professional catcher and Hall of Fame broadcaster — also known as Mr. Baseball — is the centerpiece of a public artwork celebrating his legacy. Uecker, who died in January 2025 at age 90, will be depicted in his role as a play-by-play announcer for the Milwaukee Brewers, a position he held for 54 seasons.
“I think what Bob Uecker means to Milwaukee is super important,” said muralist Mauricio Ramirez. “What better way to honor him than a 100-foot mural to really match his boldness, attitude, and style?”
Wintrust Financial Center’s ownership group, Milwaukee Downtown, Business Improvement District No. 21, and Visit Milwaukee commissioned the mural, which is being painted on the north side of the Wintrust building at 731 N. Jackson St. The project is expected to be completed by early June.
Ramirez is calling the mural “Mr. Baseball,” honoring Uecker’s nickname while playing up his contributions to Milwaukee’s Major League Baseball team. “I kind of leaned into that and used it to inform me on the design,” the muralist said, pointing to early line work meant to evoke American Family Field‘s retractable roof structure.
The mural is still in its earliest stages, as a crew from LaBrant & Associates does canvas work on the wall, creating a backdrop for Ramirez to apply the roughly 150 colors featured in his design.
LaBrant Pikalek, fourth-generation owner of LaBrant & Associates, shared his excitement to work with a “national elite muralist” like Ramirez.
“This is really great for Milwaukee, and it’s great for the Uecker family,” he said.
Ramirez, also behind the 53-foot mural of Giannis Antetokounmpo at 600 E. Wisconsin Ave., began work on “Mr. Baseball” in mid-May. He hopes to begin applying color later this week.
When the piece is finished, project organizers plan to host a tailgate-themed ribbon-cutting celebration.
“Bob loved Milwaukee and greatly appreciated the connection he had with the city,” said Bob Uecker Jr. in a statement. “The community’s gesture to commemorate that connection is deeply touching. This mural will serve as a reminder of the enduring relationship between the two.”
The in-progress mural will join 13 others painted by Ramirez in downtown Milwaukee, including 10 utility box murals painted in a geometric style along Wisconsin Avenue and the “Heart and Sol” mural on the Community Advocates building at 728 N. James Lovell St.
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