A durable catcher in the Major Leagues, McCarver was one of the few
players to play in four different decades (50s, 60s, 70s, 80s). Not
known for his bat, McCarver was a smart, defensive catcher, who knew
how to position his fielders and take care of his pitchers. McCarver
caught for two of the game's greatest pitchers, Bob Gibson and Steve
Carlton. McCarver, an eloquent player with reporters, later became a
baseball television announcer, where he does color commentary for ESPN
and ABC TV.
In 1966, he became the first and still only catcher to lead the major
leagues in triples (13).
McCarver lost a grand slam when he passed a fellow Phillie on the bases
(July 4, 1976).
One of only a handful of men to play major league baseball in four
decades as a catcher from 1959-1980, primarily with the St. Louis
Cardinals and Philadelphia Phillies. Played in 3 World Series with the
Cards in the 1960s.
Was the "personal" catcher for Steve Carlton. Whenever Carlton pitched, McCarver was always his battery mate. Has often said that when they died, they would be buried 60 feet 6 inches (the distance from the pitcher's mound to home plate) apart.
Was a member of two world championship teams (St. Louis Cardinals) in
1964 & 1967.