Skip to comments.
Former Relief Pitcher Tug McGraw Dies
AP
| 01/05/04
Posted on 01/05/2004 6:30:41 PM PST by IndyTiger
PHILADELPHIA - Tug McGraw, the zany relief pitcher who coined the phrase "You Gotta Believe" with the New York Mets (news) and later closed out the Philadelphia Phillies (news)' only World Series (news - web sites) championship, died Monday. He was 59.
McGraw died of brain cancer in Nashville, team spokesman Larry Shenk said. He had been battling the disease since March when he underwent surgery for a malignant tumor.
"We lost a part of Mets history tonight," Mets owner Fred Wilpon said. "Tug was a battler on and off the field. I know he fought the disease with every ounce of energy he had. We'll all miss him dearly."
A left-hander who threw a screwball, McGraw was a bit of screwball himself a fan favorite in New York, Philadelphia and throughout the majors.
Once asked whether he preferred to play on a grass field or an artificial surface, he said, "I don't know. I never smoked any AstroTurf."
TOPICS: Music/Entertainment; Sports
KEYWORDS:
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-20, 21-39 next last
Wasn't Tug the father of country singer Tim McGraw?
1
posted on
01/05/2004 6:30:41 PM PST
by
IndyTiger
To: IndyTiger
Still is.
2
posted on
01/05/2004 6:32:00 PM PST
by
MarkeyD
(Men never do evil so completely and cheerfully as when they do it from religious conviction.)
To: All
|
Linda Carter is completely unrelated to Free Republic. But if I am going to have to post donation begs until the Freepathon is over, I'm going to occasionally post something I want! And there is only one way you can stop me! |
3
posted on
01/05/2004 6:32:32 PM PST
by
Support Free Republic
(Your support keeps Free Republic going strong!)
To: IndyTiger
Yes....Tug McGraw is Tim McGraw's father. Very sad.
4
posted on
01/05/2004 6:34:55 PM PST
by
Arpege92
To: IndyTiger
Too bad -- I liked Tug.
5
posted on
01/05/2004 6:35:47 PM PST
by
r9etb
To: IndyTiger
My favorite Tug quote:
After signing a big contract he was asked what he planned to do with the money.
"I'll probably spend most of it on wine, women and song," he said. "The rest of it, I'll probably waste."
R.I.P. Tugger.
6
posted on
01/05/2004 6:35:57 PM PST
by
Tall_Texan
(Happy 2004 - the year we put Republicanism into overdrive.)
To: Tall_Texan
LOL! He's the one who came up with that classic line?
RIP, Tug.
7
posted on
01/05/2004 6:37:37 PM PST
by
NYC GOP Chick
(no longer sneezing, but still fairly cranky and sick right now :( ....)
To: IndyTiger
"I don't know. I never smoked any AstroTurf."Alas, the opportunity never presented itself.
8
posted on
01/05/2004 6:38:25 PM PST
by
billorites
(freepo ergo sum)
To: IndyTiger
We lost a part of Mets history tonight Sorry - Tug was always a Phillie to me.
To: IndyTiger
Yes, Tug is Tim's dad. He's been in ill health for some time. God be with the family in this hard time.
10
posted on
01/05/2004 6:41:54 PM PST
by
Recovering_Democrat
(I'm so glad to no longer be associated with the Party of Dependence on Government!)
To: IndyTiger
Tug was cool.
11
posted on
01/05/2004 6:43:29 PM PST
by
Huck
(This space available--monthly rates---great exposure)
To: Mannaggia l'America
Me too. Tugger will always be part of the 1980 Phillies that finally put the demon to rest. Of course they haven't won it since then, but it lets us feel SO superior to SOME people! Ahem to my Boston and Chicago friends!
12
posted on
01/05/2004 6:43:59 PM PST
by
blau993
(Labs for love; .357 for Security.)
To: IndyTiger; Temple Owl; Dr. Scarpetta; Tribune7
Sad news indeed.
I had the opportunity to meet Tug on many occasions and found him to be a world class individual. One of the friendliest, down to earth people you'd ever come across.
He will be sadly missed.
This came as a surprise as he looked to be in full recovery at the closing ceremonies for Veterans Stadium just a few months ago.
R.I.P. Tugger.
(Phila Sports Ping, fellas)
Owl_Eagle
Guns Before Butter.
13
posted on
01/05/2004 6:45:06 PM PST
by
End Times Sentinel
("Fire can be our servant, whether it's toasting S'mores or raining down on Charlie" –Ppl Skinner)
To: IndyTiger
Sad news. RIP, Tug.
To: IndyTiger
RIP Tugger, you gave me many fond memories.
To: IndyTiger
To: Mannaggia l'America
I have an autographed 1973 topps from Tugger that I will cherish forever, great guy.
To: Owl_Eagle
I had season tickets and saw Tug a couple of times at the Vet last summer. I thought he was looking okay and I was under the impression that they got the tumor and he was recovering. This news really comes as a surprise to me.
To: IndyTiger
He was a good man. I don't follow baseball much any more, but he was a real standout.
19
posted on
01/05/2004 6:50:52 PM PST
by
Cicero
(Marcus Tullius)
To: IndyTiger
Kind of saw it coming when he first went public with his brain cancer. R.I.P. Tugger.
20
posted on
01/05/2004 6:51:34 PM PST
by
GreatOne
(You will bow down before me, Son of Jor-el!)
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-20, 21-39 next last
Disclaimer:
Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual
posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its
management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the
exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson