Tim McCarver, 2-time World Series champion and TV broadcaster, dies at 81
Tim McCarver, a veteran MLB catcher and television baseball commentator, died Thursday at the age of 81, the National Baseball Hall of Fame announced. No cause of death was announced.
The two-time World Series winner and two-time All-Star with the St. Louis Cardinals played 21 seasons in the majors before he transitioned into the broadcast booth after he retired in 1980. He also played for the Philadelphia Phillies, Montreal Expos and Boston Red Sox. McCarver went on to call games for the Phillies, New York Mets, New York Yankees and San Francisco Giants from 1980 to 2002 and also worked national broadcasts for ABC, CBS and Fox.
He and Joe Buck made a memorable duo for Fox from 1996 to 2013. In total, McCarver called 23 World Series and 20 All-Star Games in his career. He won the Ford C. Frick Award for broadcasting in 2012 and was inducted into the Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame in 2016. He won three sports Emmys during his career as well.
As a batter, McCarver finished with a career on-base percentage of .337 and an OPS of .725. He had 645 career RBIs and 97 home runs in 1,909 games. During his three World Series appearances in 1964, 1967 and 1968, McCarver hit .311 with two home runs and 11 RBIs.
“All of us at Major League Baseball are grateful for Tim’s impact on sports broadcasting and his distinguished career in our national pastime," MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement. "I extend my deepest condolences to Tim’s family, friends and the generations of fans who learned about our great game from him.”
Commissioner Rob Manfred issued the following statement regarding the passing of All-Star catcher and broadcaster Tim McCarver, who was 81: pic.twitter.com/tC9mmZxHlC
— Jessica Kleinschmidt (@KleinschmidtJD) February 16, 2023
Cardinals and Phillies honor McCarver
The teams McCarver was most closely associated with offered their thoughts and condolences on his passing.
We are saddened to learn of the passing of Cardinals Hall of Fame catcher Tim McCarver.
A two-time World Series champion, McCarver caught 12 seasons in St. Louis over his 21-year career.
Our condolences go out to the McCarver family and his many baseball friends and colleagues. pic.twitter.com/5Yrh39PRt5— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) February 16, 2023
Statement from Phillies Managing Partner & CEO John Middleton on the passing of Tim McCarver. pic.twitter.com/e2Dk98nh5s
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) February 16, 2023
