Westminster Extensively Discussed in Live Cardinals Baseball Broadcast
Retired Cardinals Baseball Sportscaster Tim McCarver, left, visited Westminster and America’s National Churchill Museum with local Fulton resident and retired Cardinals Baseball Outfielder Charlie James, far right, and Cardinals Alumni Relations Manager Larry Slate (not pictured). Tim Riley, center, gave the group an extended tour of the museum. Photo by Larry Slate.
Cardinals Baseball fans watching the FOX Sports Midwest broadcast on Sept. 3 jumped to attention at the mention of Westminster College and America’s National Churchill Museum in Fulton, MO.
In the bottom of the second inning of the Cardinals vs. Giants game — as outfielder Harrison Bader stepped up to bat — retired sportscaster Tim McCarver suddenly began to describe to commentator Dan McLaughlin a recent visit to the Museum.
Video above courtesy of FOX Sports Midwest.
McCarver was ecstatic about his two-day mini vacation. He recalled in vivid detail the history of Winston Churchill’s “Iron Curtain” speech, the Historic Gymnasium on Westminster’s campus and retired Cardinals players with ties to Westminster.
“We had a ball,” McCarver said enthusiastically.
“Almost … two days isn’t enough,” McLaughlin replied, reflecting on what can be found in Fulton and on Westminster’s campus.
In the two-minute, 30-second back-and-forth exchange, McCarver described his trip to Fulton with Cardinals Alumni Relations Manager Larry Slate and longtime Fulton resident and retired Cardinals player Charlie James.
After describing Churchill as one of the most inspiring men “in the history of mankind,” McCarver and McLaughlin talked about former Blue Jays Baseball coach and former MLB outfielder Phil Bradley, who now works for the Major League Baseball Players Association.
Also mentioned was former Cardinals outfielder Arnold “Bake” McBride ’76 from Fulton, who majored in physical education at the College.
As pitcher Jack Flaherty stepped up to the plate, the lengthy conversation continued.
“And what a nice town! Beautiful — nice people,” McCarver said. “It was a wonderful trip all around.”
Tim Riley, the Sandra L. and Monroe E. Trout Director and Chief Curator of the Museum, says the Cardinals alumni visit was extensive.
In addition to the Museum and Historic Gym, Riley took the group on a tour of St. Mary the Virgin, Aldermanbury, the Breakthrough sculpture and Washington West House on the Hill, where Churchill dined, smoked cigars and rested prior to his famous “Sinews of Peace” address on March 5, 1946.
“The passion for the past and interest in history demonstrated by these great Major Leaguers and Cardinals World Series champions was infectious,” Riley says. “They enjoyed visiting us as much as we enjoyed visiting with them.”
Make sure to listen for Westminster College’s new Cardinals Baseball advertising segment found here, which will run on the St. Louis Cardinals Baseball Radio Network throughout the remainder of the season.
