R.I.P.: Former Milwaukee Sports Broadcaster Tom Collins

(Milwaukee Sentinel photo)

One of the first voices of the Milwaukee Brewers and a man who helped mentor Bob Uecker has passed away.

Tom Collins, who teamed with Merle Harmon starting in 1970 on WTMJ Brewers Radio Network broadcasts, has died at 95 years old, according to Journal Sentinel beat writer Gary D'Amato.

Collins started his MLB broadcasting career calling Milwaukee Braves games on WTMJ in 1959. Games were also simulcast on WEMP Radio.

He joined WTMJ 620 AM fully in 1970 with Harmon on Brewers games, with Uecker who joined a year later.

Collins called Marquette University basketball games for the entire tenure of Al McGuire as well, including the last game McGuire ever coached - Marquette's national championship win over North Carolina in 1977.