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Tim McCarver
James Timothy McCarver (October 16, 1941 – February 16, 2023) was an American professional baseball catcher and television sports commentator He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1959 to 1980 for four teams, spending almost all of his career with the St. Louis Cardinals and Philadelphia Phillies. A two-time All-Star, he helped the Cardinals to the 1964 World Series title, batting .478 in the Series, including a three-run home run in the tenth inning to win Game 5. In 1966, he became the first catcher since the 19th century to lead the National League (NL) in triples with 13. McCarver was runner-up for the 1967 NL Most Valuable Player Award, behind teammate Orlando Cepeda, after batting .295 and leading NL catchers in assists and fielding percentage.
Traded to the Phillies after the 1969 season, he was re-joined by pitcher and St. Louis teammate Steve Carlton, becoming his regular catcher as the team won three division titles from 1976 to 1978. After increased use as a pinch hitter in his last several seasons, in September 1980, McCarver became the 18th major league player to play in four decades.
After his playing career, McCarver became a television color commentator, most notably for Fox Sports after previous stints with the other three broadcast networks. He eventually set a record by calling 23 World Series as well as 20 All-Star Games, earning three Emmy Awards in the process. In 2012, McCarver was named the Ford C. Frick Award recipient. He was inducted into the Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame in 2016, and the St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame in 2017.
McCarver was born in Memphis, Tennessee to Alice (née Phelan) and Edward McCarver, the fourth of five children; he had three brothers and a sister. His father was a police lieutenant. He went to segregated schools, including Christian Brothers High School where he played baseball, basketball, and football. Reportedly, amongst the subjects in which he was well-versed were poetry, World War II and Civil War generals, show tunes, and Shakespeare.
McCarver credited his sister, Marilyn for helping him. She helped him with fielding and it was her idea for him to become a left-handed hitter.
McCarver turned down a football scholarship at the University of Tennessee to play professional baseball. Instead, he signed to a $75,000 contract by the St. Louis Cardinals in 1959 when he was 17. After playing in the minor leagues with the Keokuk Indians and the Rochester Red Wings, McCarver reached the Major Leagues for the first time at 17. He was with the Memphis Chicks for the 1960 season, the 1961 season with the Charleston Charlies, and the 1962 season with the Atlanta Crackers, receiving brief promotions to the major leagues in the 1960 and 1961 seasons. In 1963, he was promoted to the Major Leagues for good.
McCarver hit the tie-breaking home run in the 10th inning, winning Game 5 of the 1964 World Series for the Cardinals. In 1966, McCarver was named to the All-Star Team, scored the winning run in the 10th inning of that 1966 All-Star Game, and became the first catcher to lead the National League in triples, with 13. In 1967, he finished second to teammate Orlando Cepeda for the National League Most Valuable Player award.
McCarver was a member of two World Series champion teams in St. Louis. He was the preferred catcher of the notoriously temperamental Bob Gibson. McCarver said if he had any prejudices it was probably Gibson who helped him get past them.
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Tim McCarver
James Timothy McCarver (October 16, 1941 – February 16, 2023) was an American professional baseball catcher and television sports commentator He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1959 to 1980 for four teams, spending almost all of his career with the St. Louis Cardinals and Philadelphia Phillies. A two-time All-Star, he helped the Cardinals to the 1964 World Series title, batting .478 in the Series, including a three-run home run in the tenth inning to win Game 5. In 1966, he became the first catcher since the 19th century to lead the National League (NL) in triples with 13. McCarver was runner-up for the 1967 NL Most Valuable Player Award, behind teammate Orlando Cepeda, after batting .295 and leading NL catchers in assists and fielding percentage.
Traded to the Phillies after the 1969 season, he was re-joined by pitcher and St. Louis teammate Steve Carlton, becoming his regular catcher as the team won three division titles from 1976 to 1978. After increased use as a pinch hitter in his last several seasons, in September 1980, McCarver became the 18th major league player to play in four decades.
After his playing career, McCarver became a television color commentator, most notably for Fox Sports after previous stints with the other three broadcast networks. He eventually set a record by calling 23 World Series as well as 20 All-Star Games, earning three Emmy Awards in the process. In 2012, McCarver was named the Ford C. Frick Award recipient. He was inducted into the Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame in 2016, and the St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame in 2017.
McCarver was born in Memphis, Tennessee to Alice (née Phelan) and Edward McCarver, the fourth of five children; he had three brothers and a sister. His father was a police lieutenant. He went to segregated schools, including Christian Brothers High School where he played baseball, basketball, and football. Reportedly, amongst the subjects in which he was well-versed were poetry, World War II and Civil War generals, show tunes, and Shakespeare.
McCarver credited his sister, Marilyn for helping him. She helped him with fielding and it was her idea for him to become a left-handed hitter.
McCarver turned down a football scholarship at the University of Tennessee to play professional baseball. Instead, he signed to a $75,000 contract by the St. Louis Cardinals in 1959 when he was 17. After playing in the minor leagues with the Keokuk Indians and the Rochester Red Wings, McCarver reached the Major Leagues for the first time at 17. He was with the Memphis Chicks for the 1960 season, the 1961 season with the Charleston Charlies, and the 1962 season with the Atlanta Crackers, receiving brief promotions to the major leagues in the 1960 and 1961 seasons. In 1963, he was promoted to the Major Leagues for good.
McCarver hit the tie-breaking home run in the 10th inning, winning Game 5 of the 1964 World Series for the Cardinals. In 1966, McCarver was named to the All-Star Team, scored the winning run in the 10th inning of that 1966 All-Star Game, and became the first catcher to lead the National League in triples, with 13. In 1967, he finished second to teammate Orlando Cepeda for the National League Most Valuable Player award.
McCarver was a member of two World Series champion teams in St. Louis. He was the preferred catcher of the notoriously temperamental Bob Gibson. McCarver said if he had any prejudices it was probably Gibson who helped him get past them.