Tim McCarver, former Phillie and longtime broadcaster, passes away

Tim McCarver, who spent nine seasons with the Phillies and began his broadcasting career in Philadelphia with Harry Kalas and Richie Ashburn, died Thursday at age 81.

McCarver was acquired by the Phillies in 1970 in the Curt Flood trade that sent Dick Allen, Cookie Rojas and Jerry Johnson to St. Louis. He spent two seasons in Philadelphia before being dealt to the Montreal Expos in ’72. McCarver returned to the Phillies in 1976 as Steve Carlton’s preferred battery mate and eventually retired in ’79 before returning for one last stint with the Phillies in September 1980.

McCarver began his major league career with the Cardinals in 1959 as a 17-year-old and spent 12 seasons with St. Louis.

McCarver enjoyed the rare distinction of being one of the few people with connections to both the 1980 and 2008 World Series-winning Phillies clubs. While he didn’t play in the 1980 World Series, McCarver did earn a ring as a player. He was also FOX‘s color commentator for the ’08 World Series.

He was hired by the Phillies as a broadcaster shortly after his playing career concluded and called his first World Series in 1985 alongside Al Michaels and Jim Palmer. He called his final World Series for FOX in 2013 and officially retired from broadcasting last April after spending nearly a decade in the Cardinals booth.

Phillies managing partner John Middleton released a statement on McCarver’s passing:

“The Phillies are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Tim McCarver and extend our most heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, former teammates and colleagues. Tim joined the Phillies at the height of his career and returned for his final six seasons as a veteran leader, helping the club to three straight NLCS appearances and, ultimately, their first-ever World Series title. Following his playing career, fans throughout the world, including here in Philadelphia, listened to him describe their favorite team’s most iconic moments with professionalism and class. For Tim’s leadership, friendship and voice, the Phillies are forever grateful.”