I hate Tim McCarver

[MaineDolFan]

Okay, I don't "hate" the guy.  He's actually a very nice man.  I'm so very happy this is his last year in the booth.  I'm finding his last go-round almost impossible to listen to.

Game 1:  Sanchez is dealing.  I mean, this kid is throwing smoke balls.  Boston has no idea what to do with any of it.  This being said, there were some very questionable calls on check swings.  Boston wasn't receiving any benefit on them from Joe West, yet Detroit seemed to hold up on every check swing.  MLB Network broke down a couple and showed two Saltalamacchia punch outs on check swings where he held up (and was punched out), and mirrored it to AB's of Jackson where he was not called (and broke the wrist).  That's fine, that's baseball.  West actually had a good game at the plate otherwise and Sanchez was filthy.  Some of those check swings, however, were very clear that the Boston hitters hadn't broken the wrist.  McCarver "didn't see an issue with it."

Fast forward to...

Game 3:  Needles is at bat (otherwise known as Peralta, who shouldn't be allowed to play in this series...but that's another topic).  Uehara painted low and the pitch was called a strike.  McCarver came out of his seat, like the Tigers had just been robbed of the World Series.  "It changes the whole at bat" he whined on and on for about :45 seconds about the one pitch.  Which, by the way, made the count 1-2.  It's not like Needles had drawn a walk.  McCarver didn't have any issue with several outs called on check swings that weren't, but somehow the world is going to end on a 1-2 pitch called a strike that should have made the count 1-3?  I thought the dude was going to come unglued.  Needles hit the next pitch 6-4-3 into a DP.  McCarver went on to blame the pitch BEFORE on the DP. 

Seriously?  It had nothing to do with Uehara being filthy himself, did it?  You know, his 1.09 ERA?   His 101 strikeouts in 74.1 innings, even though his fastball tops out at about 47mph?  His 0.565 WHIP or 4.0 hits per 9? 

Naw.  Had to be that one pitch that made the count 1-2. 

It doesn't have anything to do with this being tilted anti-Sox (although he's leaned that way for years).  If this were the exact same way, only tilted anti-Tiger it would ruffle my feathers the same way.  Last night drove me nuts.  Soap box on a 1-2 pitch after the spectacle on game 1?  Ludicris.

I won't go into the flat moronic things he's said this ALCS like "a strike out is final, but if you put the ball into play you have a chance."  Thanks for that pearl of wisdom, Tim.  We're all dumber now, having listened to you.

The only thing unfortunate about his retirement is it couldn't have happened effective last night.  The TBS and TNT announcing teams were both outstanding.  Buck and McCarver are painful.

[CF DolFan]

Not a fan or anything but I think I have just come to accept him and his overanalyzing.   Sadly the biggest thing that comes to mind about him was his little spat with Deion Sanders when he was with the Braves.

[masterfins]

*** Hijack*** Anytime I hear of McCarver I think of the one Monica Lewinsky phone call to that other ugly broad talking about her affair with Clinton, and McCarver can be heard in the background on the TV calling a Yankees game.  End Hijack.

[Denver_Bronco]

Not a fan or anything but I think I have just come to accept him and his overanalyzing.   Sadly the biggest thing that comes to mind about him was his little spat with Deion Sanders when he was with the Braves.

haha! Classic!

[EDGECRUSHER]

Tim McCarver is just God awful in every way. He does hold grudges against certain teams and will just ramble for days about things like you stated above.

[mecadonzilla]

What's Bob Uecker doing these days?  I'd much rather be listening to him.

[MaineDolFan]

Still doing calls for the Brewers.  He actually isn't really that good, off script, which is why he is never tabbed for national games.  The TBS crew is REALLY good.  I don't know why they don't get the WS.  Don Orsillo is fantastic.