"In a way, there is no 'Major League' without Bob Uecker," Director David S. Ward told me in a phone call. The world became a sadder and much less funny place on Thursday when it was announced that Bob Uecker passed away at the age of 90.

Bob Uecker, who died Jan. 16, was not only a baseball player, but a comedic actor in roles including the movie "Major League."

Major League' was the first acting role ever for Skip Griparis, who played the soft-spoken sidekick to Bob Uecker's memorable Harry Doyle character.