Cherished baseball signed by Bob Uecker survives Mississippi fire
By Hannah Hilyard
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MILWAUKEE (WISN) — A Brewers fan lost his home to a fire, but one treasured keepsake survived the flames: a baseball signed by legendary broadcaster Bob Uecker. Many are now seeing it as a sign this World Series week.
Glendale native Charlie Bongard is a senior at Ole Miss. He said he was out celebrating an Ole Miss football win Saturday night when he got word his house was on fire.
“Scary text to get, just out and about… rushed home. There was pretty much nothing we could do,” Bongard told WISN 12 News.
With him and his roommates safe, Bongard said he watched as much of his belongings went up in flames. Firefighters worked to salvage items from the blaze.
“I told them my room, and they were able to grab a few things, but the first thing they handed to me was that baseball,” Bongard said.
That baseball he is referencing is his signed Bob Uecker baseball, which holds deep sentimental value for Bongard, a lifelong Brewers fan
“Uecker was a big part of my growing up, and everybody growing up in Wisconsin hearing his voice on the radio, it’s one of a kind,” Bongard said.
The ball was a gift from a relative who has since passed away, making it even more meaningful.
“That was a big gift of mine… and now even more with all the stuff that’s going in the last week,” Bongard said. “It’s something I’ll definitely keep for the rest of my life, and hopefully, it’s a sign for good things to come for the Brewers for the next few weeks,” he said.
Fortunately, no one was injured in the fire. The Oxford Fire Department is still investigating the cause.
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