Courtesy St. Louis Post Dispatch

(July 10, 2009) The last time Joe Buck was in the spotlight, for the debut of his show on HBO a few weeks ago, Artie Lange ransacked the proceedings with a vulgar, profane appearance that created much controversy.

But things should be much more tranquil Tuesday night when Buck returns to the national stage by doing the play-by-play on Fox's telecast of the All-Star Game.

After all, his sidekick this time — Tim McCarver — has about as much chance of unloading a tirade as Lange does of being invited to appear on "Sesame Street.''

"It's time to move on,'' Buck said.

He and McCarver will be working their 11th All-Star Game together, extending the record they have over the Curt Gowdy-Tony Kubek tandem that was together for seven contests.

Both have strong St. Louis ties. McCarver was a standout catcher for the Cards in the 1960s, was in three World Series and scored the winning run in the 1966 All-Star Game, which was the last time the event was played locally.

"My experience there was nothing but terrific," McCarver said on a conference call. "That's one of the great things about this All-Star Game, Joe living in St. Louis and me going back to St. Louis — from a personal standpoint it's very, very special for both of us.''

Buck grew up around the Cardinals while his dad, longtime Redbirds broadcaster Jack Buck, was calling their games.

"There's a certain way that we in St. Louis look at baseball heroes who've worn the Cardinal uniform with a reverence that's usually saved for people that are in storybooks," Joe Buck said. "There's a long line of royalty that comes back and always wants to be part of what's going on in the here and now. So it becomes a little more special than just going and watching a ballgame and tuning it out when you leave."

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