Former Relief Pitcher Tug McGraw Dies

AP | 01/05/04

[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."

[IndyTiger]

Wasn't Tug the father of country singer Tim McGraw?

[MarkeyD]

Still is.

[Support Free Republic]

	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!

[Arpege92]

Yes....Tug McGraw is Tim McGraw's father. Very sad.

[r9etb]

Too bad -- I liked Tug.

[Tall_Texan]

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.

[NYC GOP Chick]

LOL! He's the one who came up with that classic line?

RIP, Tug.

[billorites]

"I don't know. I never smoked any AstroTurf."

Alas, the opportunity never presented itself.

[Mannaggia l'America]

We lost a part of Mets history tonight

Sorry - Tug was always a Phillie to me.

[Recovering_Democrat]

Yes, Tug is Tim's dad. He's been in ill health for some time. God be with the family in this hard time.

[Huck]

Tug was cool.

[blau993]

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!

[End Times Sentinel]

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.”

[Lancey Howard]

Sad news. RIP, Tug.

[PattonReincarnated]

RIP Tugger, you gave me many fond memories.

[Mannaggia l'America]

[Gillmeister]

I have an autographed 1973 topps from Tugger that I will cherish forever, great guy.

[Lancey Howard]

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.

[Cicero]

He was a good man. I don't follow baseball much any more, but he was a real standout.

[GreatOne]

Kind of saw it coming when he first went public with his brain cancer. R.I.P. Tugger.