The Luckiest Boy in the World

Dr. Pat McBride on Being the Brewers' First Bat Boy, Bob Uecker, and What This NLCS Run Means to Wisconsin Means to Wisconsin The Milwaukee Brewers are in the NLCS—and we're talking to the man who was there from the very beginning. On this special episode, recorded on the day of Game 1 of the National League Championship Series, Dr. Kristin Lyerly sits down with Dr. Pat McBride, former Dean of Students at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health and author of The Luckiest Boy in the World. But before his distinguished career in medicine and education, Pat had another distinction: he was the Milwaukee Brewers' very first bat boy. Pat takes us back to the early days of the Brewers in Milwaukee, sharing stories from inside the clubhouse and the dugout—including unforgettable tales about the legendary Bob Uecker. We explore how those formative experiences shaped his life, why he considers himself "the luckiest boy in the world," and what professional baseball taught him about leadership, resilience, and community. With the Brewers breaking a six-year postseason series drought and facing the Dodgers in a rematch of the heartbreaking 2018 NLCS, this conversation couldn't be more timely. Pat offers unique perspective on what this team means to Wisconsin, why Saturday's victory over the Cubs felt so significant, and what's at stake as the entire state watches with hope. Whether you're a lifelong Brewers fan, a student of Wisconsin sports history, or simply love a great story about how childhood dreams shape our lives, this episode delivers. Go Crew! Guest: Dr. Pat McBride