In a career that spanned from 1959-1980, McCarver also caught two of the game’s most cantankerous pitchers — the intimidating Bob Gibson and a young but already temperamental Steve Carlton.

Cardinals catcher Tim McCarver greets pitcher Bob Gibson after Gibson threw a five-hit shutout of the Boston Red Sox in a 6-0 victory in Game 4 of the 1967 Word Series, at Busch Stadium.

Tim McCarver (r.), seen here in 2017 celebrating the 50th anniversary of the '67 champs, is with his best pal Bob Gibson.

Cardinals catcher Tim McCarver greets pitcher Bob Gibson after Gibson threw a five-hit shutout of the Boston Red Sox in a 6-0 victory in Game 4 of the 1967 Word Series, at Busch Stadium.

FILE - St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Bob Gibson receives a congratulatory hug from catcher Tim McCarver after he pitched a three-hit, 7-2 victory in Game 7 over the Boston Red Sox to win the 1967 ...

Hall of Fame pitcher Bob Gibson puts a playful headlock on former Cardinals batterymate Tim McCarver after throwing out a ceremonial first pitch to him during a pregame ceremony honoring the 1967 ...

"Tim McCarver was an All-Star, a World Series Champion, a respected teammate, and one of the most influential voices our game has known," baseball commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement. " ...