Tim McCarver has died. The two-time All-Star catcher and former FOX baseball analyst was 81 years old.
McCarver made his Major League Baseball debut with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1959 as a catcher. He stayed in the big leagues for 21 years before eventually becoming a broadcaster. It was that role that earned him induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2012 as the winner of the Ford C. Frick Award.
“Tim McCarver was an All-Star, a World Series Champion, a respected teammate, and one of the most influential voices our game has known,” Commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement. “As a player, Tim was a key part of great Cardinals and Phillies teams in his 21-year career. In the booth, his analysis and attention to detail brought fans closer to our game and how it is played and managed. Tim’s approach enhanced the fan experience on our biggest stages and on the broadcasts of the Mets, the Yankees, and the Cardinals.”
McCarver’s voice was well-known to baseball fans everywhere. He was a part of regional broadcasts for the Phillies, Mets, Yankees, Cardinals, and Giants until 2019. He also did national work for FOX, CBS, and ABC. He called 23 World Series and 20 All-Star Games.
The last season Tim McCarver worked for FOX was in 2013. He last called Cardinals games in 2019. While he quit calling games to protect himself from Covid-19, he never formally retired.
Heart failure is listed as the cause of McCarver’s death. He is survived by his wife Anne McDaniel, and daughters Kathy and Kelly.
