Los Angeles, CA – Hall of Fame broadcaster Tim McCarver announced on Wednesday that he will leave his post as the lead baseball analyst for FOX Sports following the conclusion of the upcoming 2013 season.
McCarver has been with FOX ever since the network began national broadcasts of MLB games in 1996 and has covered 28 consecutive baseball postseasons while working for all four major American networks. He has also served as an on-air commentator for a record 23 World Series.
"Although I am neither tired of broadcasting baseball nor have I in any way lost my interest in baseball, with which I have been associated as a player and broadcaster for 55 years, it's time to cut back," McCarver said in a statement.
The 71-year-old McCarver began his broadcasting career on local airings of Philadelphia Phillies games in 1980, immediately after the former catcher retired following a 21-year major league tenure as a player. He also had long stints with ABC (1984-89, 1994-95) and CBS (1990-93) and was the New York Mets' primary television analyst for 16 seasons from 1983-98.
McCarver was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame last year as the recipient of the 2012 Ford C. Frick Award.
"Tim McCarver has chronicled the national pastime on our biggest stages, including a record 23 World Series and 20 All-Star Games, for a generation of baseball fans," Commissioner Bud Selig said in a statement. "As an analyst, he has always thought like a manager in the dugout, and in the process he helped redefine what sports fans expected from the broadcast booth.
"Tim has led a remarkable baseball life since signing with the Cardinals in 1959, and all of us at Major League Baseball look forward to joining our partners at FOX Sports in honoring his Hall of Fame career throughout the 2013 season. On behalf of our 30 clubs, I thank Tim for his important contributions to our game over the past seven decades."
Receive your weekly recap of all the happenings around the world of sports.