EVIL~! alkeiper 0 Report post Posted January 6, 2004 Breaking news in, courtesy of Comcast SportsNet. Tug McGraw has passed away at the age of 59. McGraw won two World Series titles in his career, with the '69 Miracle Mets, and '80 Phillies. McGraw was a two time all star. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest FrigidSoul Report post Posted January 6, 2004 I thought he was doing well after battling cancer, I'm guessing it has to be related. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EVIL~! alkeiper 0 Report post Posted January 6, 2004 I believe it was. I'm sure Comcast will have alot to say after the Sixers game. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EVIL~! alkeiper 0 Report post Posted January 6, 2004 http://www.nbc10.com/news/2742861/detail.html Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest OctoberBlood Report post Posted January 6, 2004 Ah man, like Soul - I always heard Tug was doing better. My thoughts to the McGraw family. R.I.P. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Spaceman Spiff 0 Report post Posted January 6, 2004 PhiladelphiaPhillies.com PHILADELPHIA -- The image of Frank Edwin (Tug) McGraw leaping off the Veterans Stadium mound after recording the most important out in Phillies history is first in the hearts of local fans. That image can't be tarnished, and will burn even brighter with the news that McGraw passed away Monday night at the age of 59. He had been recovering from brain surgery last year that removed two cancerous tumors, but succumbed when another one recently surfaced. McGraw's death is the second devastating loss to the Phillies family in 10 days. Former general manager Paul Owens, who brought McGraw to the Phillies in the winter of 1974, passed away on Dec. 26. The colorful left-hander, who had names for all his pitches, coined the phrase "Ya gotta believe!" during the Mets' improbable run to the 1973 National League pennant. McGraw maintained the slogan when he needed it most -- through his nearly year-long fight with cancer. After McGraw was hospitalized during Spring Training in Clearwater, Fla. -- while in his second year as a guest pitching instructor -- doctors found two tumors. Surgery was performed and McGraw began an arduous rehabilitation process. He made a few public appearances during the season, the first one coming during a May series against the Mets. He took in a handful of games at the Vet, and on July 3, 2003, he changed the Vet countdown number, signifying the number of home games remaining at the park. Each time he waved or flashed his trademark smile, he received a thunderous ovation. McGraw always did things with flair. He broke into professional baseball by pitching a no-hitter for the Mets' Cocoa, Fla., minor league team in 1964, and made his Major League debut the following season. He ended it with the Phillies after the 1984 season. During his nine-year Mets career, McGraw went to two World Series -- 1969 and 1973 -- winning it all in 1969. He was acquired on Dec. 3, 1974, by Owens for Del Unser, Mac Scarce and John Stearns. The Phillies also received a pair of outfielders, Don Hahn and Dave Schneck, in the six-player deal. "We were a young team that was starting to come together," said Bob Boone, a longtime teammate, "but we didn't believe in ourselves. Tug changed that with his arrival. He brought that 'Ya gotta believe!' attitude." With the Phillies, McGraw was on teams that won NL East titles from 1976-78, the World Series in 1980 and the NL pennant in 1983. The 1981 Phillies also reached postseason play during a strike-shortened season. Without McGraw, the Phillies never would have won their first World Series in 1980. After coming off the disabled list in July of that season, McGraw allowed just three earned runs the rest of the season and compiled a 0.52 ERA during that span. He recorded 11 of his 20 saves after July 31 and was 5-0 with five saves during the stretch run in September and October. He got the win in the Phillies' NL East clinching game on Oct. 4, 1980. He struck out Larry Parrish, then leaped in the air as the Phillies headed for the postseason for the fourth time in five years. Pitching in 12 of the Phillies' 15 postseason games, McGraw won a game and saved four. McGraw picked up a two-inning save and struck out Willie Wilson with the bases loaded again to give the Phillies their first World Series championship. He leaped with both arms raised after the 11:29 p.m. final pitch that triggered a wild celebration throughout the Delaware Valley. The following day, millions of fans turned out for a victory parade down Broad Street to JFK Stadium. Holding a Philadelphia Daily News that carried a "WE WIN" headline, McGraw spoke to the more than 100,000 Phillies fans that filled the old stadium: "All throughout baseball history, Philadelphia has had to take a backseat. But, today is their day." Rarely do you get a chance to say this about a professional athlete, but Tug was one of the nicest, kindest, wondeful athletes to grace our city (Philly). RIP Tug Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HarleyQuinn 0 Report post Posted January 6, 2004 My Dad managed to get an autographed ball from Tug RIP Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest FrigidSoul Report post Posted January 6, 2004 well being in a coma I doubt he was in any pain, and that's a positive Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DerangedHermit 0 Report post Posted January 6, 2004 That sucks...a moment of silence Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
C Dubya 04 0 Report post Posted January 6, 2004 I don't think that many people outside of the NY/Philly areas understand how important Tug was to the people of these cities. I don't know a single person in Philly who doesn't have fond memories of the Tugger, and that includes people who weren't even born in 1980 when he threw "the pitch". There really aren't many athletes who were loved by both cities, as NY & Philly are very different places, but McGraw was. He was truely a person who lived his life to the fullest and will most definitely be remembered as the perfect example of what it means to be a great human. RIP Tug. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EVIL~! alkeiper 0 Report post Posted January 6, 2004 I just remember about my ancient baseball blooper tapes, featuring introductions by Tug McGraw. The man was certainly a cut-up. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Agent of Oblivion Report post Posted January 6, 2004 Tug McGraw..that's a good name for an athlete. It's a manly, competitive name. Like "Iron" Mike Tyson, Rocky Marciano, Joe Montana..guys named things like that could whip some ass. Worst name in professional sports: Christian Laettner. That should be an insurance adjuster or some shit. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest meanmaisch Report post Posted January 6, 2004 RIP Tugger Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Czech Republic 0 Report post Posted January 8, 2004 Tug McGraw..that's a good name for an athlete. It's a manly, competitive name. Like "Iron" Mike Tyson, Rocky Marciano, Joe Montana..guys named things like that could whip some ass. Worst name in professional sports: Christian Laettner. That should be an insurance adjuster or some shit. Any hockey player named "Cam" is not to be messed with. Rex Grossman and Brock Forsey: Badass-Named Bears Offense Of 2004 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
