R.I.P. Tim McCarver

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MLB Network mourns the passing of Hall of Famer Tim McCarver. pic.twitter.com/aGLoLT2iLV

— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) February 16, 2023

Tim McCarver, the two-time World Series champion and All-Star catcher who played 21 seasons in the major leagues and later was the lead color analyst for 23 World Series broadcasts, died Thursday, according to the National Baseball Hall of Fame. McCarver was 81.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) February 16, 2023

The term baseball-lifer is one of the biggest baseball cliches going, but cliches are based in reality, and Tim McCarver was the embodiment of a baseball lifer.​ His playing career spanned from 1959-1980, making him one of only 31 major leaguers to play games in four different decades. 

People my age will best remember McCarver from his time calling games, and big ones at that. The two-time World Series champ (he was also a member of the 1980 Phillies but wasn't on the playoff roster) was part of 24 Fall Classics broadcasts (I'm trusting Wiki over Passan), mainly as a color commentator. Tim's final World Series broadcast was Game 6 of the 2013 World Series when the Boston Red Sox beat the St. Louis Cardinals, two of his former teams. Say what you want about him, but Tim McCarver is a baseball legend. When I think of big games growing up, he was on the mic.

The St. Louis Cardinal Hall of Famer spent parts of 12 of his 21 seasons playing for the Redbirds. In 1967 he was runner-up to teammate Orlando Cepeda in MVP voting. That season was capped off with a World Series win over the "Impossible Dream" Red Sox in seven games. In 21 games over three World Series, McCarver slashed .311/.384/.300 with 2 HRs and 11 RBI. 

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

McCarver also had briefs stints with the Expos and Red Sox, but spent the bulk of his career catching two of the greatest pitchers of all time, Bob Gibson and Steve Carlton with the Cardinals and Phillies. He was beloved by his teammates and colleagues and knew the game inside and out. 

Never forget when Tim McCarver predicted Luis Gonzalez's walk-off hit in the 2001 World Series

RIP. □ pic.twitter.com/mTvsx3hYTz

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) February 16, 2023

RIP Tim McCarver, who saw one of the biggest home runs in Yankee history coming from a mile away: pic.twitter.com/5CONBVg3rD

— Ryan Chichester (@ryanchichester1) February 16, 2023

McCarver, known for his knowledge and story telling was beloved within baseball. He even recorded a Jazz album in 2009. Tim McCarver was 81 years old and passed away in his hometown of Memphis, TN, surrounded by his family. Death is almost always sad, but knowing someone got the most out of life makes dealing with the loss a little easier. It's safe to say that Tim McCarver got the most out of his. May he rest in peace.

When Steve [Carlton] and I die, we are going to be buried 60-feet 6-inches apart. -Tim McCarver pic.twitter.com/nVTigjDudF

— Baseball Quotes (@BaseballQuotes1) February 16, 2023