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Tug McGraw

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Tug McGraw
Pitcher
Born:(1944-08-30)August 30, 1944
Martinez, California,U.S.
Died:January 5, 2004(2004-01-05)(aged 59)
Brentwood, Tennessee,U.S.
Batted:Right
Threw:Left
MLB debut
April 18, 1965, for the New York Mets
Last MLB appearance
September 25, 1984, for the Philadelphia Phillies
MLB statistics
Games pitched824
Win–loss record96–92
Earned run average3.14
Strikeouts1,109
Saves180
Teams
Career highlights and awards
Military career
AllegianceUnited States
Service/branchU.S. Marine Corps Reserve
Years of service1965–1971
RankCorporal
UnitInfantry

Frank Edwin"Tug"McGraw Jr.(August 30, 1944 – January 5, 2004) was an Americanprofessional baseballrelief pitcher.McGraw played in 19 seasons inMajor League Baseball(MLB), from 1965 to 1984, for theNew York MetsandPhiladelphia Phillies,earning a total of over $2 million.[1]He is often remembered for coining the phrase "Ya Gotta Believe", which became the rallying cry for the1973 New York Metsand has since become a popular slogan for the team and fans.[2]

McGraw struck outWillie Wilsonto end the1980 World Seriesagainst theKansas City Royals,bringing thePhiladelphia Philliestheir firstWorld Serieschampionship in franchise history.[3][4]

McGraw was one of six Phillies players to die prematurely fromglioblastoma,abrain cancer.Although it cannot be proven definitively, a theory links the cancer to toxicPFASchemicals in theAstroTurfatVeterans Stadium.[5]

Early life[edit]

Frank Edwin "Tug" McGraw Jr. was born August 30, 1944, inMartinez, California,[4]the second of three sons of Frank Edwin "Big Mac" McGraw Sr. and Mable McKenna.[6]McGraw got the nickname "Tugger" from his mother because of the particularly aggressive way he breast-fed.[6]The name stuck and McGraw preferred it, even asking to be called "Tug" by his kindergarten teacher.[6]His mother was bipolar and was physically and verbally abusive. She abandoned the family after spending time inNapa State Mental Hospitaland the family was raised by Frank McGraw Sr.[6]His father was athletic and was a butcher, trucker, and fireman and then a water treatment plant operator and engineer who encouraged the children to play sports.[6]He was the great-grandson ofIrishimmigrants. After his divorce in the early 1950s, Frank Sr. moved his three sons to nearbyVallejo.Tug graduated fromSt. Vincent Ferrer High School,a Catholic school in Vallejo, in 1962. McGraw enrolled in Vallejo Junior College (nowSolano Community College).

Career[edit]

Minor leagues[edit]

In 1961, Tug's brother Hank had signed with theNew York MetsbyscoutRoy Partee;Hank later asked Partee to look into signing Tug, threatening to quit if Tug was not signed.[6]On June 12, 1964, McGraw signed with theNew York Metsas anamateurfree agent,receiving a $7,000 signing bonus.[6]McGraw was used both as astarting pitcherand as arelief pitcherinMinor League BaseballatCocoa Beach,Florida,where he pitched a no-hitter in his debut,[6]andAuburn,New York.He went 6–4 with a 1.64earned run average.

New York Mets (1965–1967, 1969–1974)[edit]

McGraw qualified for the Mets inSpring trainingin1965at age 20, without ever having playeddouble-ortriple-Aball. There, he played under managerCasey Stengel,who retired that year.[6]He made his major league debut on April 18, 1965, as a reliever, against theNew York Giants.[6]After striking outOrlando Cepedain his debut, he was given atranquilizerto calm down.[6]

McGraw made the team as a reliever, and was 0–1 with a 3.12 ERA and onesavewhen he made his first major league start on July 28 against theChicago Cubsin the second game of adouble headeratWrigley Field.He lasted just two-thirds of an inning and gave up threeearned runson his way to a 9–0 loss (the Cubs blew the Mets out in the first game as well, 7–2).[7]On August 22, in his second start, also in the second game of a double header, only this time against theSt. Louis CardinalsatShea Stadium,McGraw pitched acomplete gameto earn his first major league win.[8]On August 26, he won his next start, 5–2 overSandy Koufaxand theLos Angeles Dodgers.[9]It marked the first time the Mets had ever beaten Koufax.[6]McGraw remained in the Mets' starting rotation for the remainder of the season, however, failed to log another win, going 2–6 as a starter, and 0–1 in relief.

The Mets used McGraw as a starter again in1966,and he was 2–9 with a 5.52 ERA in that role. Though he also made four starts with the Mets in1967,McGraw spent most of the season, and all of 1968 in the minor leagues with theJacksonville Suns.In 1968, he went 9-9 with a 3.42 ERA for the Suns.[6]By the time he returned to the Mets in1969,managerGil Hodgeshad a very capable young pitching rotation that includedTom Seaver,Jerry Koosman,andGary Gentryand had no need for McGraw as a starter until Koosman went down with an injury in May. McGraw went 1–1 with a 5.23 ERA filling in for Koosman.

Koosman returned to the rotation at the end of the month and on May 28, after a five-game losing streak that saw the Mets fall into fourth place in the newly alignedNational League East,Koosman and the expansionSan Diego Padres'Clay Kirbyengaged in a pitchers' duel at Shea. After nine scoreless innings by Kirby and ten by Koosman, the game was turned over to the bullpens forextra innings.The game finally ended after 11 innings whenBud Harrelsonhit asingleto drive inCleon Jones.McGraw pitched the 11th inning to earn the win.[10]

In June 1969, managerGil Hodgessuggested that Tug should become arelief pitcher,a decision he agreed with and that changed his career.[6]

This began an 11-game winning streak that brought them into second place, seven games behind theChicago Cubs.McGraw earned two saves during that stretch, and 12 for the season. His record as a reliever was 8–2 with a 1.47 ERA.

The Cubs had been in first place in the NL East for 156 days of the season, and they seemed likely to win the division when they came toNew York Cityto open a crucial two-game series with the Mets on September 8. The Mets won both games to close within a half game of the Cubs. The following day, the Mets swept a double header from the expansionMontreal Expos.Coupled with a Cubs loss (who had slumped to a 9–17 record in their final 26 games), the Mets moved into first place for the first time ever during the1969season.

On September 15, theSt. Louis Cardinals'Steve Carltonstruck out a record 19 Mets in a losing effort, as the Mets defeated the Cards 4–3 atBusch Memorial Stadiumon a pair of two-runhome runsbyRon Swoboda.McGraw pitched the final three innings without giving up a run to earn the win in this game.[11]On September 24, facing Carlton and the Cardinals, again — only this time at Shea Stadium, the New York Mets clinched the NL East asDonn Clendenonhit two home runs in a 6–0 Mets victory.[12]The Mets won 39 of their last 50 games, and finished the season with 100 wins against 62 losses, eight games over the second place Cubs.

McGraw's first postseason appearance came in game two of the new1969 National League Championship Series(NLCS). After theAtlanta Bravesscored six runs off Koosman in4+2⁄3innings,Ron Taylorand McGraw held the Braves scoreless the remainder of the way to secure the Mets' 11–6 victory.[13]He did not appear in any other games during the 1969 postseason, in which the Mets won theWorld Series.McGraw said that "Everything changed for me in 1969".[14]That year he went to Vietnam on a goodwill tour; he was slapped byRon Taylorfor smokingmarijuana.[6]He received a $10,000 bonus for being on the World Series team; he used $7,000 to buy a whiteMercedes-Benzconvertible, which was given to his son after he died.[15]

"Ya Gotta Believe!"[edit]

McGraw emerged as one of the topclosersin theNational Leaguein the early 1970s, enjoying a career year in1972.He was 3–3 with a 2.01 ERA and 15 saves at the All-Star break to earn his firstAll-Starselection. McGraw pitched two innings, striking out four and giving up only onehitto earn the win in the NL's 4–3 come from behind victory.[16][17][18]For the season, McGraw went 8–6 with a 1.70 ERA, giving up just 71 hits in 106 innings pitched, and setting a Mets record with 27 saves that lasted until1984.

Whereas1973wasn't as good a year statistically for McGraw, he was valued for the leadership role he assumed for the league champions. The Mets had fallen into last place in the NL East, and had remained there through August 30. McGraw was the winning pitcher for the Mets on August 31 when the Mets emerged from last place with an extra innings victory over theSt. Louis Cardinals.[19]The win improved McGraw's record to 2–6 with a 5.05 ERA.

For the remainder of the season, McGraw went 3–0 with a 0.57 ERA and ten saves. The Mets, meanwhile, went 20–8 from that point forward to pull off the stunning division title. At a July 9 team meeting where Mets Board ChairmanM. Donald Grantwas trying to encourage the team, McGraw shouted the words, "Ya Gotta Believe" which became a popular rallying cry for the Mets.[20][2]He said the famous phrase when maybe only he believed the Mets could actually get to the World Series. But soon enough, hearing McGraw say it again and again, seeing him do his magic in the ninth, the Mets themselves came to believe. They pulled into first place on September 21 with a 10–2 victory over thePittsburgh Pirates,[21]and clinched the division crown on the final day of the season with a win over the Cubs.[22]This was the only season between1970and1980that the National League East wasn't won by eitherPhiladelphia or Pittsburgh.

McGraw continued his dominant pitching into the postseason, when he pitched five innings over two games in theNLCSagainst the defending NL championCincinnati Redswithout giving up a run, and appeared in five of the seven games of theWorld Seriesagainst the defending championOakland Athletics.Though he blew the save in game two, he pitched three shutout innings in extra innings to earn the win.[23][24][25][26][27]

McGraw was traded along withDon HahnandDave Schneckfrom the Mets to thePhiladelphia PhilliesforDel Unser,John Stearns,andMac Scarceat theWinter Meetingson December 3, 1974. McGraw had developed shoulder trouble during aseasonin which he went 6–11 with a 4.15 ERA,[28]and at the time of the trade, it appeared as if the Mets may have been unloading damaged goods. After the trade, he was diagnosed with a simple cyst and after successful surgery to remove it, recovered completely. McGraw left the Mets as the all-time leader in saves,games pitched,andgames finished.

Philadelphia Phillies (1975–1984)[edit]

With the Phillies, he continued his role as a reliable relief pitcher, earning his second careerAll-Starnod in his first season inPhiladelphia,though he did not appear in the game. After finishing second to thePiratesin1975,McGraw's Phillies won their division crown the next three seasons. They were, however, unable to reach the World Series as they were swept byCincinnati's"Big Red Machine"in the1976 NLCS,and fell to the Los Angeles Dodgers the following two seasons.

McGraw was nearly traded along withBake McBrideandLarry Christensonto theTexas RangersforSparky LyleandJohnny Grubbat the 1979Winter MeetingsinToronto,but the proposed transaction was never executed because a deferred money issue in Lyle's contract went unresolved.[29]

The Phillies were battling back-and-forth for first place with theMontreal Exposin1980when the Expos came toVeterans Stadiumfor a crucial three game set on September 25. The Phillies won two of the three, with McGraw winning the second game,[30]to pull a half game up on Montreal. By the time the Phillies went toMontrealfor the final series of the season, the two teams were tied for first place.

The Phillies won the opener, 2–1. McGraw earned the save by striking out five of the six batters he faced.[31]The following day, McGraw entered the game in the ninth inning, with the score tied at four. McGraw pitched three innings, striking out three and only giving up one hit, a tenth-inning lead-off single byJerry White.It was also one of just two balls to leave the infield once McGraw entered the game. AfterMike Schmidt's 11th-inning home run put the Phillies up 6–4, McGraw pitched a 1–2–3 11th inning, striking outLarry Parrishto end the game, and clinch the National League East for the Phillies for the fourth time since joining the club.[32]

For the season, McGraw went 5–4 with a 1.46 ERA, 75 strikeouts and 20 saves. Phillies starterSteve Carltonwon the National LeagueCy Young Award,and sluggingthird basemanMike Schmidtwas the unanimousNL MVP.McGraw received consideration in balloting for both awards as well, finishing fifth inCy Youngballoting, and 16th for league MVP.

1980 World Champions[edit]

McGraw pitched in all five games of the1980 NLCSagainst theHouston Astros.The Phillies won the first game 3–1, with McGraw earning the save.[33]The Astros, however, came back in game two with an extra innings victory to send the series toHoustontied at a game apiece.[34]

McGraw entered game three in the eighth inning with a runner on second, and one out. He managed to get out of the inning, and keep the Astros scoreless until the 11th inning, whenJoe Morganled the inning off with atriple.Rafael Landestoyentered the game as apinch runnerfor Morgan, and McGrawintentionally walkedthe next two batters to create a force at any base. The strategy didn't work, as the following batter,Denny Walling,hit asacrifice flytoGreg Luzinskiinleft fieldscoring Landestoy.[35]

The final two games of the series also went into extra innings. He earned a save in game four to even the series,[36]however, blew the save in the fifth and deciding game, allowing it to go into extra innings.[37]Dick Ruthvenentered the game in the ninth and pitched two perfect innings. Meanwhile, the Phillies came back with a run in the tenth to proceed to theWorld Seriesagainst theKansas City Royals.

McGraw appeared in four of the six games of the World Series, striking out ten batters in 7.2 innings. The Phillies swept the first two games in Philadelphia, with McGraw earning the save in game one.[38]The Royals, however, came back to even the series after two games inKansas City,with McGraw picking up the loss in game three.[39]

McGraw entered game five in the seventh inning with the Phillies behind 3–2. He pitched three scoreless innings, while his team scored two ninth inning runs off Royals closerDan Quisenberryto head back to Philadelphia with a 3–2 series lead.[40]McGraw entered game six of the World Series in the eighth inning with no outs, and runners on first and second, and the Phillies up, 4–0. He allowed one inherited base runner to score, but managed to get through the inning relatively unscathed. After giving up a walk and two singles to load the bases in the ninth inning, he struck outWillie Wilson,clinching the Phillies' first World Series championship.[41]

The next day, at a victory rally atJohn F. Kennedy Stadium,McGraw summed it all up for the fans after 97 years of futility for the Phillies franchise:[42]

All through baseball history, Philadelphia has had to take a back seat to New York City. Well, New York City can take this world championshipand stick it! 'CAUSE WE'RE NUMBER ONE!

In later years, McGraw expressed remorse toward his comments toward New York. He returned to Shea Stadium on numerous occasions following his retirement, citing his love for the Mets fans.[43]

Final four seasons[edit]

McGraw went 2–4 with a 2.66 ERA and ten saves in thestrike-shortened1981season. The Phillies won the first half season crown, however, lost the1981 National League Division Seriesto the Montreal Expos. On March 17, 1981, McGraw wore a dyed green uniform onSt. Patrick's Dayto a spring training game, though an umpire refused to let him play. McGraw called St. Patrick's Day his favorite holiday. Since 1989, the Phillies have had a tradition of playing in green on St. Patrick's Day.[44]

In1982,McGraw shifted into more of a set-up man role, with bothRon ReedandEd Farmerearning more saves than he on the season. Prior to the start of the1983season, the Phillies acquiredAl Hollandfrom theSan Francisco Giantsto assume the closer role. Following the1984season, McGraw retired at age 40. As a favor to longtime friendRoman Gabriel,he returned to professional baseball for single starts during the 1989 and 1990 minor league seasons with the Class AGastonia Rangersof theSouth Atlantic League.

Career statistics[edit]

Seasons W L Pct. ERA G GS GF CG SV IP H ER R HR BB K WP HBP WHIP Fld% Avg.
19 96 92 .511 3.14 824 39 541 5 180 1514.2 1318 528 597 108 582 1109 63 22 1.254 .927 .182

Whereas relief pitchers are not given the opportunity to bat frequently, McGraw was allowed to bat leading off the sixth inning of a 6–0 blowout at the hands of the Montreal Expos on September 8,1971.He rewarded his manager's faith in him by putting the Mets on the board with his only career home run.[45]

McGraw could also throw right-handed and would often loosen up before games by playing right-handed catch with his teammates, leaving fans wondering who the right-hander wearing number 45 was. At the time of his death, McGraw was ranked:

  • 24th on the all-time major league list in games pitched (824)
  • 22nd on the all-time major league list in games finished (541)
  • 4th on the all-time Mets list in games saved (86)
  • 4th on the all-time Mets list in games finished (228)
  • 5th on the all-time Mets list in most games pitched (361)
  • 7th on the all-time Mets list in least hits per nine innings (7.78)
  • 10th on the all-time Mets list in most batters struck out per nine innings (7.02)
  • 1st on the all-time Phillies list in games finished (313)
  • 3rd on the all-time Phillies list in games pitched (500)
  • 4th on the all-time Phillies list in saves (94)
  • 8th on the all-time Phillies list in least hits per nine innings (7.89)

Other work[edit]

In the 1980s and 1990s, he was a sports anchor and reporter forAction NewsonWPVI,theABCaffiliate inPhiladelphia.He appeared as himself in a 1999 episode ofEverybody Loves Raymondalong with several other members of the1969 New York Mets.

In the mid-1970s, McGraw collaborated with artistMichael Witteon a nationally syndicated comic strip,Scroogie.Scroogie was a relief pitcher for the "Pets", whose teammates included "Tyrone" (aReggie Jackson–like bopper with a tremendous ego), ace pitcher "Royce Rawls" (loosely based upon former Mets teammate, Tom Seaver), "Chico", a Hispanic shortstop with characteristics similar toMario Mendoza,and "Homer", an intellectually challenged slugger who could send a ball into orbit. Their announcer, "Herb", wore loud sports coats reminiscent of former Mets announcerLindsey Nelson,and the team was owned by Millicent Cashman. Actual major league teams and players were used in the comic strip during its two-year run.

McGraw, Witte, David Fisher and Neil Offer produced two books,Scroogie(1976) andHello there, ball!(1977).

McGraw also recorded a version of the baseball poem "Casey at the Bat",accompanied byPeter Neroand thePhilly Pops.

Personal life[edit]

McGraw had a brief relationship in 1966 with Elizabeth "Betty" D'Agostino, a teenage neighbor and waitress, that resulted in a son, country music singerTim McGraw.In his bookYa Gotta Believe,[citation needed]McGraw wrote that he and D'Agostino only had sex once and that she immediately broke off contact with him and left town afterward. At the time, McGraw was playing baseball for Jacksonville, while D'Agostino was a high school student. When she became pregnant, her parents forced D'Agostino drop out of high school and move toDelhi, Louisianato live with relatives, where she gave birth to Tim.

McGraw did not meet his son until his son was 11 years old, after Tim accidentally found his birth certificate in his mother's closet and inquired about his true father.[46][47]McGraw told his son that he had another family and could not be a father to Tim, although Tim persevered in sending his father letters.[47]In early 1985, with Tug's success differing from the financial difficulties of Betty, Betty filed suit and the State of Louisiana demanded $350,000 in backchild support.[47]Through a lawyer, McGraw then agreed to finance $42,000 for Tim's college education, take a paternity test, and meet with his son.[47]At the meeting, they reconciled, and began to develop a closer relationship.[47]In 1990, with his son's career first starting, Tug bought Tim a van for he and his band to travel.[47]In addition to Tim, McGraw had a son, Mark, and daughter, Cari, with his first wife Phyllis Kline, and a son, Matthew, with his wife Diane Hovenkamp-Robertson; he also had two stepsons, Christopher and Ian Hovenkamp.[48]

Marine Corps Reserve service (1965)[edit]

After one season inMajor League Baseballwith theNew York Mets,McGraw reported to theMarine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Islandon September 23, 1965, along with fellow New York Mets pitcherJim Bethke.[49]He was trained as a rifleman on theM14 rifleandM60 machine gun.McGraw later reported toMarine Corps Base Camp Lejeune,where he (in his own words) became a "trained killer".[50]Tug's younger brother Dennis was active in anti-war protests and the brothers would sometimes argue; however, Tug admitted that he was a "dovewhen it came to the way [the United States was] conducting the war ".[51][50]

Death[edit]

On March 12, 2003, McGraw was working as an instructor for the Phillies during spring training when he was hospitalized with aglioblastomabrain tumor.[52]After surgery was performed to remove it, initial reports suggested the procedure had been successful, his chances for recovery were "excellent"[53]and he would live "a long time".[54]However, the tumor was not totally excised by the surgery and the malignancy returned in inoperable form. McGraw lived for over nine months after the initial surgery. His son Tim paid for costly experimental medicine and was involved in all decisions.[6]In what would be his last public appearance, McGraw attended the closing ceremonies of Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia on September 28, 2003, where he recreated the final out of the Phillies' World Series triumph. McGraw died on January 5, 2004, at the home of his son Tim and his wifeFaith HillinBrentwood, Tennessee.The Mets played the 2004 season with the words "Ya Gotta Believe" embroidered on their left shoulders in McGraw's honor and the Phillies wore a patch on their right shoulder featuring a shamrock in honor of McGraw and a banner reading "Pope" in honor of longtime Phillies executivePaul Owens,who had also died that winter. His son Tim's 2004 hit "Live Like You Were Dying"(written byTim NicholsandCraig Wiseman) was recorded in his father's honor and themusic videofeatured the clip of McGraw recording the final out of the1980 World Series.The song was number 1 on the U.S.Billboardcountry music charts for seven weeks and was named the number 1 country song of 2004 byBillboard.

McGraw wascrematedafter his death. Nearly five years later, his sonTim McGrawspread a handful of his dad's ashes on thepitcher's moundat the Phillies current home park,Citizens Bank Park,in Game 3 of the2008 World Series.[55]

In 2023, after six Philadelphia Phillies players died prematurely ofglioblastoma,a theory linked the brain cancer to toxicPFASchemicals in theAstroTurfatVeterans Stadium;however, it cannot be proven definitively.[5]

Philanthropy[edit]

In 2003, prior to his death, McGraw established The Tug McGraw Foundation to enhance the quality of life of children and adults with brain tumors. In 2009, it expanded programs to includeposttraumatic stress disorder(PTSD) andtraumatic brain injury(TBI).[56]The foundation sponsored a photography class atCamp Pendletonto help 15 marines as part of the recovery process from battlefield wounds.[57]

Honors and awards[edit]

In 1993, McGraw was inducted into theNew York Mets Hall of Fame.[58]

In 1999, the Philadelphia Phillies inducted McGraw into thePhiladelphia Baseball Wall of Fame.[59]

In 2004, following his death, the Philadelphia chapter of the Baseball Writers' Association of America renamed the annual Good Guy Award the Tug McGraw Good Guy Award.[60]

In 2010, McGraw was inducted into thePhiladelphia Sports Hall of Fame.[61]

Books[edit]

  • McGraw, Tug with William C. Kashatus.Was It as Good for You? Tug McGraw & Friends Recall the 1980 World Series.Media, PA: McGraw & Co. Inc. 2000.
  • McGraw, Tug with Don Yaeger.Ya Gotta Believe! My Roller-Coaster Life as a Screwball Pitcher and Part-Time Father, and My Hope-Filled Fight Against Brain Cancer.New York: New American Library, 2004.
  • McGraw, Tug with Joseph Durso.Screwball.Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1974.

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^"Tug McGraw Statistics and History".Baseball-Reference.
  2. ^abMaaddi, Rob (January 6, 2004)."Zany pitcher made the Mets believe".Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.Associated Press.
  3. ^Fimrite, Ron(October 27, 1980)."One heartstopper after another".Sports Illustrated.
  4. ^abFimrite, Ron(November 3, 1980)."He kept tugging away at the heartstrings".Sports Illustrated.
  5. ^abPerkins, Tom (March 10, 2023)."Artificial turf potentially linked to cancer deaths of six Phillies ball players – report".The Guardian.
  6. ^abcdefghijklmnopSilverman, Matthew."Tug McGraw".Society for American Baseball Research.
  7. ^"Chicago Cubs 9, New York Mets 0".Baseball-Reference.July 28, 1965.
  8. ^"New York Mets 4, St. Louis Cardinals 2".Baseball-Reference.August 22, 1965.
  9. ^"New York Mets 5, Los Angeles Dodgers 2".Baseball-Reference.August 26, 1965.
  10. ^"New York Mets 1, San Diego Padres 0".Baseball-Reference.May 28, 1969.
  11. ^"New York Mets 4, St. Louis Cardinals 3".Baseball-Reference.September 15, 1969.
  12. ^"New York Mets 6, St. Louis Cardinals 0".Baseball-Reference.September 24, 1969.
  13. ^"1969 National League Championship Series, Game Two".Baseball-Reference.October 5, 1969.
  14. ^Spaeder, Ryan (March 17, 2015)."Remembering the irrepressible Tug McGraw on St. Patrick's Day".The Sporting News.
  15. ^Dukes, Billy (October 22, 2015)."Tim McGraw Drives a Piece of New York Mets History".Townsquare Media.
  16. ^Feeney, Charley (July 26, 1972)."Morgan continues tough, beats AL, 4-3".Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
  17. ^"Nationals rally to triumph in 10th".Eugene Register-Guard.Associated Press.July 26, 1972.
  18. ^"1972 All-Star Game".Baseball-Reference.July 25, 1972.
  19. ^"New York Mets 6, St. Louis Cardinals 4".Baseball-Reference.August 31, 1973.
  20. ^Ladson, Bill (January 14, 2023)."50 years ago, 'Ya gotta believe' became the Mets' rallying cry".Major League Baseball.
  21. ^"New York Mets 10, Pittsburgh Pirates 2".Baseball-Reference.September 21, 1973.
  22. ^Parascenzo, Marino (October 2, 1973)."Miracle Mets Champs of NL East".Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
  23. ^Feeney, Charley (October 15, 1973)."Mets' four-run 12th and 10-7 win tie Series at 1-1".Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
  24. ^"Mets knot Series against fumbling A's".Wilmington Morning Star.United Press International.October 15, 1973.
  25. ^Rappoport, Ken (October 15, 1973)."Mets even Series at 1-1 by halting A's in 12th".Nashua Telegraph.Associated Press.
  26. ^Fimrite, Ron(October 22, 1973)."Buffoonery rampant".Sports Illustrated.
  27. ^"1973 World Series, Game Two".Baseball-Reference.October 14, 1973.
  28. ^Durso, Joseph (December 4, 1974)."Big Deals: McGraw to Phils, Allen to Braves, Lee May to Orioles".The New York Times.
  29. ^"LeFlore, Rodriguez Swapped by Tigers".The New York Times.December 8, 1979.
  30. ^"Philadelphia Phillies 2, Montreal Expos 1".Baseball-Reference.September 26, 1980.
  31. ^"Philadelphia Phillies 2, Montreal Expos 1".Baseball-Reference.October 3, 1980.
  32. ^"Philadelphia Phillies 6, Montreal Expos 4".Baseball-Reference.October 4, 1980.
  33. ^"1980 National League Championship Series, Game One".Baseball-Reference.October 7, 1980.
  34. ^"1980 National League Championship Series, Game Two".Baseball-Reference.October 8, 1980.
  35. ^"1980 National League Championship Series, Game Three".Baseball-Reference.October 10, 1980.
  36. ^"1980 National League Championship Series, Game Four".Baseball-Reference.October 11, 1980.
  37. ^"1980 National League Championship Series, Game Five".Baseball-Reference.October 12, 1980.
  38. ^"1980 World Series, Game One".Baseball-Reference.October 14, 1980.
  39. ^"1980 World Series, Game Three".Baseball-Reference.October 17, 1980.
  40. ^"1980 World Series, Game Five".Baseball-Reference.October 19, 1980.
  41. ^"1980 World Series, Game Six".Baseball-Reference.October 21, 1980.
  42. ^1980 World Series-The ParadeonYouTube
  43. ^Kepner, Tyler (January 11, 2004)."Not Merely a Pitcher, McGraw Gave Fans More".The New York Times.
  44. ^Hagen, Paul (March 18, 2011)."When Tug McGraw broke the color barrier with Phillies".The Philadelphia Inquirer.
  45. ^"Montreal Expos 10, New York Mets 2".Baseball-Reference.September 8, 1971.
  46. ^Joyce, Mike (November 25, 1994)."MCGRAW MAKES RIGHT PLAYS".The Washington Post.
  47. ^abcdefOtt, Tim (December 15, 2020)."Tim McGraw Didn't Meet His Dad Tug Until He Was 11. Inside Their Complicated Relationship".Biography.
  48. ^Litsky, Frank (January 6, 2004)."Tug McGraw, 59, Is Dead; Star With Mets and Phillies".The New York Times.
  49. ^"McGraw and Bethke Learn the Basics of Military Life".The New York Times.United Press International.November 7, 1965.
  50. ^abDurso, Joseph (March 5, 1967)."McGraw, the Marine, Turns to a Different Type of War".The New York Times.
  51. ^McGraw, Tug; Durso, Joseph (1974).Screwball.Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.ISBN0-395-18646-3.
  52. ^Longman, Jeré (August 14, 2017)."The Brain Cancer That Keeps Killing Baseball Players".The New York Times.
  53. ^"PLUS: BASEBALL; McGraw Released From Hospital".The New York Times.Associated Press.March 22, 2003.
  54. ^Finley, Bill (May 30, 2003)."BASEBALL; McGraw is a Believer in a Full Recovery".The New York Times.
  55. ^"Tim McGraw spreads his father's ashes on World Series mound".Yahoo! Sports.October 26, 2008.
  56. ^James, Marty (February 17, 2005)."Tug McGraw's spirit, memory carries on through foundation".Napa Valley Register.
  57. ^MCINTOSH, LINDA (June 15, 2015)."Photo class aimed at wounded Marines".The San Diego Union-Tribune.
  58. ^"FRANK EDWIN" TUG "MCGRAW".Major League Baseball.
  59. ^SKULSKI, TOM (February 11, 2022)."Phillies Legend Tug McGraw and Why 'Ya Gotta Believe'".Sports Illustrated.
  60. ^"Philly writers will present awards at end of season".The Morning Call.August 22, 2004.
  61. ^Fitzpatrick, Frank (July 15, 2010)."Allen, McGraw head Phila. Hall of Fame class".The Philadelphia Inquirer.

Further reading[edit]

External links[edit]

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