All little-leaguers dream of someday playing in the majors. They envision themselves hitting homers as the announcer yells: “Going… Going… That ball is outta here!” As a kid, Tim McCarver dreamed of hitting homers and of being the announcer! “I imitated Monte Irwin at bat,” said McCarver. “He was my hero and when I ran the bases, suddenly I was Harry Caray describing the action. I got a kick out of doing both.” As fate would have it, each of McCarver’s wishes would come true. Born in Memphis, Tennessee, much of his early fame came as a football player at Christian Brothers High School, and colleges were ready with scholarships. But the St. Louis Cardinal’s big bonus in 1959 topped all other bids, and at eighteen, Tim became a professional baseball player. He had the honor of playing in three World Series with the Cardinals, winning twice. This included the 1964 classic matchup with the Yankees when McCarver hit .478, with a homer and five RBI’s. He also participated in three World Series with the Philadelphia Phillies and two all-star games in 1966 and 1967. McCarver retired in 1980 after a staggering twenty-one seasons and began a new career as broadcaster, where he has also become an “all-star.” His voice is familiar to baseball fans around the world who have heard him broadcast eight World Series and eight all-star games. For many years, McCarver, like fellow Tennessean Lindsey Nelson before him, has been the voice of the New York Mets. Tim is a part time analyst for the St. Louis Cardinals, where he has been since 2014.
