Tim Mccarver

Tim McCarver will serve as the analyst for CBSU coverage of baseball's All-Star Game Tuesday at 5 p.m. McCarver, 48, caught for four major league teams over a career that spanned from 1959 to 1980. When CBS outbid ABC and NBC for the right to telecast baseball this season, McCarver joined CBS after spending the previous six seasons at ABC. McCarver also has served as announcer for the New York Mets on super station WWOR since 1984.

Ron Artest's decision to raffle off his championship ring and donate the proceeds to mental health charities is a remarkable gesture that has received too little attention.? While athletes' auctions more often benefit only the sellers, this one draws attention to a cause near and dear to the Lakers forward.? "It's not about how much money I can raise," Artest told Larry King on Wednesday night, announcing that the winner would be announced Dec. 25. "It's more about the message.

When baseball's best players take the field Tuesday night for the 64th All-Star Game in Baltimore, they won't be the only stars coming out along Chesapeake Bay. Barry Bonds, Ken Griffey Jr., Darren Daulton, Cal Ripken and Matt Williams will have to share the national television spotlight with Baltimore's new palace of baseball, Oriole Park at Camden Yards.

Their losing streak pushed to four games by a 2-0 defeat to the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on Sunday night, the Dodgers were still a long way from that point at which chairs are thrown, bats are smashed and expletives are shouted. The more traditional observance of silence would do. But there were signs of frustration beneath the soft-spoken words in the clubhouse, manager and players alike lamenting the chances blown by the Dodgers on their way to being swept in three games in Manny Ramirez's old ballpark.

Do you suppose that Tim McCarver gets paid by the word? --BOB LeMOND Bonsall

It wasn't right for Deion Sanders to throw the water at Tim McCarver. McCarver could have drowned because his mouth is never closed. BILL STEIN, Cambria

The best thing that could happen to baseball fans would be for Joe Morgan and Tim McCarver to get stuck in New York traffic for the next three weeks. RICH RUDY San Diego

Tim McCarver, who has worked on ABC's national baseball telecasts since 1984, will join Brent Musburger as a commentator when CBS takes over baseball in 1990. CBS outbid ABC and NBC, which have traditionally carried baseball, and will pay $1.1 billion over four years for the rights. McCarver, a former major league catcher, also broadcasts New York Mets games on WWOR-TV in New York.

For those who complained about the commercials during the Olympic Games, how much did you pay for this super coverage? For those who commented upon Paula Zahn's and Tim McCarver's comments, could you do better? Why not apply for the next session? To all of those who worked on the Games for (CBS), my big thanks for a wonderful job. EDITH J. HOWELL, Glendale

Fox broadcaster Tim McCarver: You can't really fault any player in Wednesday's game, but you can fault commentator McCarver, who seems to feel that it is important to talk at all times, even when he has nothing to say. His incessant ramblings and obvious conclusions leave viewers all across the country wondering one thing: Where's the mute button?

The baseball playoffs on TBS come with a price. Ron Darling and Tony Gwynn. The games on TBS without Tim McCarver and Joe Morgan. Priceless. Dave Snyder Grand Terrace Talk about Dodger blues: Steve Springer takes umbrage (and offense?) with FSN's Jim Watson's dressing down of the L.A. media for its ho-hum Dodgers coverage. I'm a former newspaper reporter, and I don't mind the FSN "homerism." I expect Steve Lyons to be as Vin Scully-like in his commentary as much as I expect T.J. Simers to write graciously about Frank McCourt.

Ed Goren, your response to Stu Nahan's letter is as weak as Tim McCarver's so-called announcing. We understand the game of baseball and don't need his constant barrage of already-known facts. Let Joe Buck do his more-than-capable job, and stick a sock in it. JOE POPROCK Newbury Park

Tim McCarver will be working his 17th World Series beginning Saturday and ninth for Fox with play-by-play announcer Joe Buck. His bosses at Fox say McCarver knows baseball, communicates that knowledge well and never shows up unprepared. But for some reason -- maybe because of the visibility of the Series -- he is also a target for criticism. And now, with the proliferation of blogs and websites, it is worse than ever. There is even a website, www.shutuptimmccarver.com.

The best thing that could happen to baseball fans would be for Joe Morgan and Tim McCarver to get stuck in New York traffic for the next three weeks. RICH RUDY San Diego

I figured it was time for the 7-Eleven Kid and G.P. to sit down and talk sports. I get all kinds of e-mail from people who have it all wrong when it comes to sports, and I would imagine that's because they didn't get the straight scoop from someone who really knew what they were talking about until it was too late. It's the only way I can explain why some kids grow up rooting for UCLA.

Jim Tracy is quoted on Jan. 15, after two Dodger coaches were re-signed: "I think it is important to reward people within the organization." I assume Adrian Beltre is still laughing. Gene Ewald Oxnard Brad Penny won one game for the Dodgers last year before an injury ended his season. In 2004 he made $3.725 million and now wants a raise to $5.7 million, while the Dodgers counter at $4.7 million. He sounds like a few of my ex-employees, doing subpar work and requesting a 53% increase in pay. Matthew D. Kerster Gardena With the hiring of Steve ("I forgot where I was when I dropped my pants")

Ed Goren, your response to Stu Nahan's letter is as weak as Tim McCarver's so-called announcing. We understand the game of baseball and don't need his constant barrage of already-known facts. Let Joe Buck do his more-than-capable job, and stick a sock in it. JOE POPROCK Newbury Park

Question: What do Troy Percival, Robb Nen and Joe Buck have in common? Answer: They are invaluable, irreplaceable stoppers for their respective World Series teams. Buck pitches for Fox, meaning he faces the most daunting assignment of all: putting out the fires set ablaze by partner Tim McCarver, verbal pyromaniac.

What has Fox got against television viewers by having Tim McCarver be part of the broadcast team for the World Series? This pontificating know-it-all is personally responsible for the installation of mute buttons on all of the television remote controls. His constant yammering drives all the people I know crazy and makes me wonder if his salary is based on the number of words he uses. Art Ficke Long Beach Let's see, in the Fox commercials during Angel playoff games, there was: bombing and terrorism for "24," rioting high school students and a baby discarded in a bathroom for "Boston Public," hookers and men who drank so much they couldn't remember or passed out for "Firefly," a gynecologist diving into a woman's crotch for "girls club," murder and pools of blood for "John Doe," and violence, guns, sex and bar scenes for "Fast Lane."