Born:  Martinez, Calif., 8/30/1944

Died:  Brentwood, Tenn., 1/5/2004

B-R, T-L...  6'0", 184 lbs

 

Tug was injured for much of the 1980 season, but was spectacular when he came back to the team. When the Phils had a lead in the eighth or ninth inning, you could count on Tug walking out of the bullpen slapping his right thigh with his mitt. And who would have been better than Tug to get the last out to capture the Phillies' first World Series championship? I may have been only 9 years old, but this is a picture that will never disappear from my memory!

Tug McGraw Videos

1980 Statistics

 

Games

 W

 L

Ks

ERA

1980

      50

  5

 4

20

1.46

LCS

        5

  0

 1

  2

4.50

WS

        4

  1

 1

  2

1.17

 

Lifetime Statistics

Year

Team

IP

W

  L

  S

   K

ERA

1965

Mets

    97.2

  2

  7

    1

   57

3.32

1966

Mets

    62.1

  2

  9

    0

   34

5.34

1967

Mets

     17.1

  0

  3

   0

   18

7.79

1969

Mets

  100.1

  9

  3

  12

   92

2.24

1970

Mets

    90.2

  4

  6

  10

   81

3.28

1971

Mets

  111.0

11

  4

   8

  109

1.70

1972

Mets

   106.0

  8

  6

  27

   92

1.70

1973

Mets

  118.2

  5

  6

  25

   81

3.87

1974

Mets

    88.2

  6

11

    3

   54

4.16

1975

Phillies

  102.2

  9

  6

  14

   55

2.98

1976

Phillies

    97.1

  7

  6

  11

   76

2.50

1977

Phillies

   79.0

  7

  3

    9

   58

2.62

1978

Phillies

    89.2

  8

  7

    9

   63

3.21

1979

Phillies

    83.2

  4

  3

  16

   57

5.16

1980

Phillies

    92.1

  5

  4

  20

   75

1.46

1981

Phillies

    44.0

  2

  4

  10

   26

2.66

1982

Phillies

    39.2

  3

  3

    5

   25

4.31

1983

Phillies

    55.2

  2

  1

    0

   30

3.56

1984

Phillies

    38.0

  2

  0

    0

   26

3.79

TOTALS

 

1514.2

96

92

180

1109

3.14

Phillies Publications

From The Phillies 1980 Media Guide:

 

How Obtained:  Acquired from the Mets along with Don Hahn and Dave Schneck, 12/3/74, for Del Unser, Mac Scarce and John Stearns.

 

1979 Season:  Set personal high in games last year...  Led the Phillies in saves with 16; he holds the NL record for most saves, Lifetime, 144...  Tied an NL record for most Home Runs allowed, bases full, Season, 4...  Said the colorful McGraw, "I had a chance to set a record against Houston when they loaded the bases on me, however I put the team ahead of my personal records and got Terry Puhl to hit into a double play."...  Had excellent month of June appearing in 15 games and putting together four saves in consecutive appearances...  Made one start on 7/7 vs. SF at the Vet.

 

Career:  Has recorded 59 saves in his five years with the Phillies...  Was a prime contributor to the Mets World Series appearances in 1969 and 1973...  Recorded Mets club record of 27 saves in 1972 and 25 in 1973...  Was winning pitcher in 1972 All-Star Game.

 

Personal/Misc:  1962 graduate of St. Vincent Ferrer High (Vallejo, Calif.)...  Attended Vallejo Junior College.

From The Phillies 1981 Media Guide:

 

1980 Season:  Had an incredible season and was the hot reliever the Phillies needed to take them to a division title...  Actually pitched well all season but was spectacular after coming off DL on 7/17 after a flare-up to tendinitis in the pitching shoulder...  After coming off DL, he allowed just 3 ER the rest of the season in 52.1 IP for an unbelievable 0.52 ERA...  He had 11 of his 20 saves after July 31 and his first win did not come until 9/8 when he beat the Pirates and started a personal five-game winning streak...  Worked 12 of the Phillies last 15 games including four of six WS games and all five LCS...  He had four wins and three saves in September and won win and two saves in October...  Lowered his career ERA to 3.08 with his 1.47 season...  He was on the mound for final out in Division and World Series clinchers...  Opted for free agency then signed a four-year contract with the Phils on 12/7/80.

 

1980 Post-Season:  Saved games One and Four of the LCS as he appeared in all five games...  Saved Games One and Six of the WS and won game number five...  Struck out Jose Cardenal for final out to win pivotal fifth game of WS and struck out Willie Wilson for final out of game six of the WS to give Phils World Championship.

 

Career:  He's the all-time NL leader in saves (164) and fourth on the all-time list...  Has recorded 79 saves in his six years with the Phillies...  Recorded Mets club record 27 saves in 1972 and 25 in 1973...  Was contributor to Mets World Series appearances in 1969 and 1973...  Was winning pitcher in 1972 All-Star game... Tied a NL record for most HR allowed, bases loaded, one season, 4 in 1979.

 

Personal/Misc:  1962 graduate of St. Vincent Ferrer High (Vallejo, Calif.)...  Attended Vallejo Junior College...  Brother Hank played in Phils minor league system...  Had busy offseason with numerous appearances highlighted by a week of guest shots on Hollywood Squares TV show taped in Las Vegas and a stirring recitation of Casey at the Bat with Peter Nero and the Philadelphia Pops Orchestra at Philadelphia's famed Academy of Music; his Academy appearance triggered a record of Casey at the Bat that sold well throughout the area...  Had vigorous off-season workout program at a suburban health club.

From The 1980 Phillies Yearbook:

  • Favorite Color:  A tie between Blue and Green
  • Favorite Singer/Group:  Elvis Presley
  • Favorite Song:  Elusive Butterfly (not an Elvis song)
  • Favorite City:  San Diego- Great margaritas and tacos
  • Least Favorite City:  Haven't been there yet
  • Person You'd Most Like To Meet:  They're all dead- Ben Franklin, Elvis, Babe Ruth
  • Boyhood Idol(s):  Older brother Hank
  • Biggest Turn-On:  Larry Bowa- he makes unbelievable plays
  • Biggest Turn-Off:  Larry Bowa- he makes unbelievable noise
  • Favorite Subject in School:  Art and Celestial Navagation (the study of heavenly bodies)
  • Favorite TV Show:  News, Saturday Sports (ABC Wide World of Sports)
  • Favorite Book:  Trinity by Leon Uris and Son/Rise by Barry Neil Kaufman
  • Person You Most Admire:  Jim Longborg
  • Greatest Achievement:  Another tie- living beyond age 35 and playing in the majors for 13 years and never receiving an award!
  • Most Memorable Moment:  Seeing Christenson go over the handlebars
  • Hobbies:  Writing, kids
  • Toughest Batter You've Faced:  Roberto Clemente, Dave Cash
  • Other Comments:  This questionnaire is a great idea only it's tough to answer seriously all the time.  You'll have to guess when I am and I ain't.  You forgot one question:  The Thing Most Important To Me:  My Family