Tug McGraw, the zany relief pitcher who coined the phrase "You Gotta Believe" with the New York Mets and later closed out the Philadelphia Phillies' only World Series championship, has died. He was 59.
McGraw died Monday of brain cancer at the home of his son, the country music star Tim McGraw, outside of Nashville, team spokesman Larry Shenk said. He had been battling the disease since March when he underwent surgery for a malignant tumor.
McGraw participated in the closing ceremonies for Veterans Stadium, which will be demolished next month. During the program, he re-enacted his final pitch of the 1980 World Series, striking out Kansas City's Willie Wilson for the title.
McGraw's illness came as a shock last spring. He was at Phillies' training camp as a special instructor, looking fine and acting as funny as ever, but was suddenly hospitalized on March 12.
"We lost a part of Mets history tonight," Mets owner Fred Wilpon said. "Tug was a battler on and off the field. I know he fought the disease with every ounce of energy he had. We'll all miss him dearly."
A left-hander who threw a screwball, McGraw was a bit of screwball himself -- a fan favorite in New York, Philadelphia and throughout the majors.
Once asked whether he preferred to play on a grass field or an artificial surface, he said, "I don't know. I never smoked any AstroTurf."
McGraw was known for charging off the mound, slapping his right hand on his thigh and tapping his chest after a close call.
McGraw's playful personality often overshadowed his talent. He was an outstanding big-game pitcher, helping not only the Phillies but the Mets win World Series titles during his 19-year career.
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