A quick word about the late Tim McCarver

He was good at both aspects of the game, loving baseball more than most.

Tim McCarver couldn’t believe his eyes.

With my still very sick son in the other room, I can easily recall those memorable words from the former St. Louis Cardinal and commentator back in 2011.

“I can’t believe they are playing the outfield so far back.”

Paraphrasing most likely, but McCarver was talking about the Texas Rangers, who were holding a slim lead over the Cardinals in Game 6 of the World Series, having their outfielders standing so close to the wall with the tying run on second base in Jon Jay.

Everybody except Ron Washington knew Lance Berkman was going to drop a single into that expanded Bermuda Triangle out there past second base, especially McCarver. With a voice that sounded like a nostalgic warm blanket, he made a solid pair with several St. Louis “players” over the years.

He paired up with Hall of Fame Cardinal OG Bob Gibson for several seasons. His story about Gibson telling him to get back behind the plate after a couple walks is priceless.

“Hey Bob, you have a guy on first base.”

“Yeah, I know. I put him there. Now get back behind home plate.”

McCarver paired up with St. Louisan Joe Buck for decades on Fox, broadcasting consecutive World Series and notable regular season games. Yes, he mispronounced a few names during his time, but who the heck doesn’t? I screwed up more names in a segment than McCarver ever did. What he brought to the table was an inherent knowledge of the game.

You just know with certain voices of the game, ones that seem ingrained with the history of the game. McCarver didn’t mind speaking his mind on national television, something I respected a lot. If a player or coach was doing something wildly stupid, he’d point it out.

McCarver paired up with Dan McLaughlin for the last part of his broadcasting career. Together they created a witty and entertaining broadcast, becoming so in sync with each other’s abilities that Danny Mac could perfect a McCarver imitation. It was a great mix of young and old minds, just like the working relationship he had with Buck.

McCarver died Thursday at the age of 81. As I was crossing the street from one work warehouse to another, the notification popped up on my phone screen. For a few seconds, I disregarded the fact that I was standing in the middle of a dangerous intersection for bad drivers. Sad news has that paralyzing effect.

But I reminded myself of the good stuff, as Robin Williams’ noble professor in Good Will Hunting said. The 2006 and 2011 World Series calls, the regular season work with McLaughlin, and the constant smiles and happiness on his face on just about every broadcast.

Baseball doesn’t provide many players to a single team like it did with Tim McCarver. While he played for other teams and wore other jerseys, he always seemed to have a redbird wrapped around his heart. From catching Gibson to trading words with Buck and McLaughlin, he never really left.

I’ll miss his presence and work, a rarity in a sports town. A great color analyst isn’t one who hogs the air time and doesn’t shut up; it’s a mind that can make a dent with a certain amount of words and get you thinking. Someone who adds fuel to the conversation instead of bringing his own homemade mouth grenades.

McCarver was terrific, on and off the field. Rest in peace. They better have that outfield aligned correctly up there in baseball heaven. (Even though I don’t think he minded that the Rangers were doing it at that particular time.)

Photo Credit: Jeff Roberson/Associated Press