“This One Hurts”: MLB Legend’s Devastating Death Aged 81 Shocks the MLB World

The world has lost another star today. Legendary sports broadcaster and former St. Louis Cardinals catcher Tim McCarver passed away on February 16th at 81. Among the rare few MLB players whose career spanned four decades, McCarver will remain an iconic figure in the MLB world. After an illustrious career that started in 1959, McCarver stayed with baseball as a sports commentator.

Going on to win two World Series titles, the former catcher started out with the St. Louis Cardinals and also played with the Philadelphia Phillies, Montreal Expos, and Boston Red Sox. When he retired in 1980, the former catcher began his broadcasting career with small channels that covered teams like the Mets, Yankees, and Giants. But what really made him beloved by audiences was his work with all four major U.S. television networks.

Fans express condolences at the passing of Tim McCarver

The former Cardinal was a major part of many people’s memories of baseball. The official Twitter of St. Louis Cardinals announced the sad news, stating, “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.”

And Twitter flooded the comments section with love and respect.

McCarver really was all about baseball all his life. Wasn’t he?

How did McCarver get into sportscasting?

It’s usual to see pro players stay with their sport after retirement in various roles. Some choose to coach, some go into the front office, and some take up analyst or critic duties. McCarver went on to become a three-time Emmy Award-winning television color commentator and even got a Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame induction.

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Carver called his first World Series game after filling in for another prominent commentator, Howard Cosell, who was removed from the telecast because of a controversy. He called a then-record 20 All-Star Games and 23 World Series, so it’s only natural he became a Hall of Famer.

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True to his love of baseball, McCarver even worked for the Olympic Games in 1988 and 1992!