Storied bullpen specialist....colorful
and extroverted....longtime employed by both Mets and Phillies each for nearly the
same length of time with very similar stats....debut for NYM in 1965... as a
swingman had a decent 3.32 ERA but little to show for it, winning two and
losing seven....had difficulties thereafter going to minors for ½ of 1966, most
of 1967, all of 1968....reinvented himself as an effective and exclusive closer
1969....a role rarely relinquished until the tail end of his career....1969
post season was one game, but was able to hold off the Braves for 3 innings in
the NLCS....As a Met racked up 86 saves sometimes sharing duties with others....an off year
in 1974 soured Mets brass on him...Made a second home with the Phillies in
1975....pivotal year was 1980....not only had a strong comeback but was the
emotional leader for franchise’s first WS win....known for pounding his glove
on his thigh....became the spokesman for 7up....1983-4 relinquished closer role
for spot work resulting in no saves...after playing gained notoriety as the
father of Country Music Star Tim McGraw....a soap operatic story with twists
Tim was born out of wedlock when McGraw was in the minor during 1967....minimal
contact was made father and son while Tug played, but eventually Tug help
support his budding career...Tim in turn, was the emotional and financial
foundation as Tug fought brain cancer....Sadly Tug succumbed to his condition
in 2006.
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