On January 5, 2004, Frank Edwin “Tug” McGraw, one of the most colorful players in Mets’ history, passed away from brain cancer at 59 years of age.

McGraw is most famous for coining the term ‘Ya Gotta Believe!” in 1973, during an M. Donald Grant address to the team when the Mets were mired in last place in the National League’s eastern division, and then made their unlikely ascent to a division title.

McGraw began his career with the Mets in 1965, after less than one full season in the minor leagues. He never pitched in Double A or Triple A, making the jump from Class A to the major leagues in spring training of 1965. McGraw was both a starter and reliever in the minor leagues, and served both roles in his early career with the Mets.

In 1965, McGraw posted a record of 2-7 with a respectable ERA of 3.32. His most notable achievement in 1965 was tossing a complete game win against Sandy Koufax and the Dodgers, giving the Mets their first victory against the Brooklyn native and future Hall of Fame pitcher.

After struggling primarily as a starter in both 1966 and part of 1967, McGraw was sent to the minor leagues, where he pitched for part of the 1967 season and all of the 1968 season. When McGraw returned to the Mets for the 1969 season, he began his journey as one of the best relief pitchers in the game.

 

Tug had a record of 9-3 in 1969, with an ERA of 2.24 and 12 saves. He went on to use his famous screwball, a pitch that, as a left-handed pitcher, faded away from right-handed hitters and in on left-handed hitters, to record 27 saves in 1972 and 25 saves in 1973. McGraw was outstanding down the stretch of the 1973 season. From September 1st through the end of the regular season, he went 3-0 with 10 saves and an ERA of 0.57.

Tug continued his fine pitching into the post season in 1973, throwing five scoreless innings against the mighty Cincinnati Reds in the NLCS, and tossing three scoreless innings in relief to win game two of the World Series against Oakland, after he had blown the save in the ninth inning. McGraw appeared in five of the seven games of the 1973 World Series, allowing just eight hits over 13.2 innings pitched.

After the 1974 season, McGraw was traded along with Don Hahn and Dave Schneck, to the Phillies for Del Unser, John Stearns, and Mac Scarce. As a Met over nine seasons, Tug had a record of 47-55 with 86 saves. He pitched a total of 792.2 innings, striking out 618 hitters and allowing 685 hits.

McGraw was on the mound when the Phillies won the 1980 World Series. As a Phillie, McGraw recorded 94 saves over 10 seasons. He ended his career with a total of 180 saves and a record of 96-92, to go with a 3.14 ERA. He was a two-time all star, in 1972 and 1975.

When thinking about Tug McGraw, in addition to “Ya Gotta Believe!”, I recall his trademark pounding of his glove against his knee when walking off the mound after an inning. He said it was his way of saluting the fans, whom he really liked, and the sentiment was equally returned. You can see the glove pound in the video below from the 1973 World Series.

Tug McGraw is singer Tim McGraw’s father. The two did not have a relationship until the singer was a teenager, but from that point had a strong relationship, as Tug wrote in his book “Ya Gotta Believe”.

Showing his unique character, McGraw was once asked if he preferred the new Astro Turf from Houston’s Astrodome, or grass. McGraw’s response was classic. “I don’t know, I’ve never smoked Astro Turf”.

Rest In Peace, Tug McGraw. Baseball needs more personalities like yours.