What took so long?
I know Tim McCarver has his share of critics. Some of it is inevitable when you’ve been around as long as he has.
But considering his unprecedented run as baseball’s lead analyst for more than two decades, why it will take until Saturday for him to finally be recognized by the Hall of Fame?
Both McCarver’s partner and Fox Sports vice-chairman Ed Goren had the same reaction: “It’s long overdue.”
Well, better late than never. McCarver’s big day comes Saturday in Cooperstown when he will receive the 2012 Ford C. Frick Award, presented annually for excellence in baseball broadcasting by the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum.
During a conference call, I asked McCarver’s colleagues how they feel about the honor.
Joe Buck: I’m kind of conflicted. I feel almost more excited for Tim going in than I did for my dad when he went in in 1987. When you consider the length of time he caught in the big leagues, the pitchers he caught and the excellence on the mound that he received in Gibson, Carlton and many, many others, – the winning, the championships and then jumping right into the booth and broadcasting all these World Series and all these All-Star Games, it’s well received.
His overall contribution to the game is unmatched by anybody in that Hall of Fame. It’s different to when my dad went in. I mean, my dad went in because he was a great voice of the game. Tim has done it all, and I think it is overdue. It is so deserved and I am proud of him. I’m proud because of the work he puts in every week and I can tell you, as his partner, when I started in 1996 as a 27-year-old doing the World Series, I was scared to death.
When I had him sitting to my right and I had him seconding an opinion of mine, it gave me instant credibility. I owe him a lot and I’ll be there, the proudest one there not at the podium when he goes in on Saturday.”
Ed Goren: This honor is way overdue and in talking to others who have worked with Tim, three people stand out applauding this honor: Al Michaels, Bob Costas, and Tony Kubek. It’s long overdue, and we are thrilled.