Tim McCarver had seen plenty of baseball before coming out of retirement to finish his 21-year career with the Phillies in 1980. He would see decades more from the broadcast booth, including an 18-year stint as Fox’s lead analyst.
But that Phillies squad, which went on to win the World Series, stands out in his mind.
“That was such a fun team to be a part of,” said McCarver, a longtime catcher who made a handful of appearances at first base and pinch hitter with the ‘80 Phillies.
And a fun group to reminisce with, as McCarver will do on Sunday. He will join Pete Rose, Bob Boone, Larry Bowa, Greg Luzinski and longtime Phillies announcer Chris Wheeler for a reunion show at Clearwater’s Ruth Eckerd Hall. (Tickets are $28.75, $43.25, $53.25 and $63.25, see RuthEckerdHall.com.)
We recently checked in with McCarver, 79, at his Sarasota home. His replies have been edited slightly for brevity and clarity:
What do you remember about that Phillies team?
“Anybody who’s a Phillies fan obviously knows that had it not been for (first baseman) Pete Rose, it wouldn’t have happened. You rarely see a free-agent signing or a trade for a guy who is absolutely bound to have his team win, and Pete (who signed with the Phillies in December 1978) was like that. An example is (outfielder) Bryce Harper. Bryce Harper signed (with the Phillies) three years ago — he’s a great player, and not taking anything away from Bryce — but he didn’t produce immediately. Pete produced immediately. And were it not for Pete, the Phillies wouldn’t have won. And I think anybody would agree to that. Especially Pete — I love that about him. You’ve got to love that about him. That’s who he is. … (Third baseman) Mike Schmidt needed a little something extra. You’re such a great talent like Mike Schmidt, what extra could he need? He needed someone to get behind him. And nobody knew what that was. Pete was the guy. Pete was the influence that Mike Schmidt needed to go over the top, and what a sensational year he had that year (hitting .286 with 48 homers, 121 RBIs and 1.004 OPS and winning league MVP honors).”
What do you think of the way the current game is played?
“I don’t want to hammer the game. I really don’t. But it’s different. I think the lack of baserunning, rundown plays, things like that. Everything’s robot-controlled from the dugout. An example is (World Series Game 6 with Rays pitcher Blake) Snell being lifted. I don’t think they’ll ever live that down. No baseball fan in the world could say that made sense. And that’s what the game has come to. The sabermetrics of the game, the analytics of the game, are what are usually drive the older players into a hole somewhere where they don’t want to get out and answer any questions. And it’s pretty much that way with me, too. Sabermetrics? I don’t know. I do know. I have my own feelings about that.”
Are you planning to continue broadcasting, having worked in a part-time role for the Cardinals since 2014, then taking off last season due to coronavirus concerns?
“I chose not to come back this year. Too much travel, too many things out there. When things quiet down, we’ll see. Next year, maybe, if the Cardinals choose to have me back. If not, I’ll go my happy way. I’m very happy now. I do a lot of reading. I watch all the games. I don’t play golf. I eat out a lot. I’m very happy and happy with my life. … I don’t throw the retirement word around. I’m connected to baseball in such a way, as Pat Riley, the basketball coach once said, he’s a lifer. And that’s what I’ve chosen to be, too.”