At one of the lowest points of John Axford 's career, Bob Uecker was there to lift him up.

Axford had just beaten the odds and returned to the major leagues in early August 2021 after a three-season absence – and with the Milwaukee Brewers of all teams, having signed as a 38-year-old free agent following a dynamite workout.

The right-hander ran in from the bullpen at American Family Field just as he did a decade earlier when he was one of the game's best closers, took the mound and in the span of 22 pitches blew out his elbow.

Comeback over. Feel-good story ruined.

Axford underwent Tommy John surgery and returned a couple years later to pitch – thanks in part to a conversation he had with "Mr. Baseball" immediately following his injury.

"I think we all know what Bob meant to this

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