Tim McCarver

James Timothy McCarver (October 16, 1941 – February 16, 2023) was an American professional baseball catcher and television sports commentator who played 21 seasons in Major League Baseball from 1959 to 1980. He appeared for the St. Louis Cardinals, Philadelphia Phillies, Montreal Expos, and Boston Red Sox, and was named an All-Star twice.

McCarver helped the Cardinals to the 1964 World Series title, batting .478 in the Series and hitting 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 in triples, with 13. The following year he finished 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, McCarver was reunited with pitcher and former St. Louis teammate Steve Carlton and became his regular catcher as the team won three division titles from 1976 to 1978. Used increasingly as a pinch hitter in his final seasons, he played in September 1980 to become the 18th major league player to appear in four decades.

After his playing career, McCarver became a television color commentator.