Tim McCarver Sets World Series Broadcast Record

Subscribe To This Site

Tim McCarver Sets World Series Broadcast Record

Tim McCarver called his 16th World Series this year, the most ever for a TV analyst. But his longevity goes way back. McCarver, who recently turned 64, had a Major League Baseball catching career spanning four decades- 1959-80. He spoke to USA Today’s Michael Hiestand about talking for a living.

Q: Where’s the line between analysis and over analysis?

A: You don’t have to say something every time there’s a replay. I was guilty, in the early part of my career, of overanalyzing. I know that’s not true anymore.

Q: How does playing on two Series champs (1964, 1967) compare to working a Series on TV?

A: Broadcasting a Series is so much tougher than playing. When you’re playing, you can do something about things physically. On TV, there’s nothing you can do, except prepare.

Q: How’d you get into TV?

A: In 1977, I was playing for the Phillies and got an offer to do TV in Toronto. But the Phillies thought I could still play and gave me at least a one-year deal to play, then two years for TV for whenever I quit. It was the first time I’d ever had more than a one-year contract. I played three more years.

Q: Get any coaching for TV?

A: I have never taken a lesson on how to talk in my life.

Q: How long do you plan to work?

A: I don’t know. It’s kind of a year-to-year thing. I like staying busy. But just like for everybody else, the travel is tough. But the post season is thrilling.