Tug McGraw Foundation
Celebrates Tug's 60th Birthday
October 2004 Issue
On August 30, 2004, the day that would have been Met Hall of Famer Tug McGraw's 60th birthday, Tug's friends and fans gathered to celebrate his life and support The Tug McGraw Foundation. The event was a fundraising dinner that was held at McFadden's Restaurant, located at Philadelphia's Citizens Bank Park.
The Tug McGraw Foundation was established during Tug's battle against brain cancer in 2003. The foundation raises public awareness of brain tumors and supports brain cancer research as well as organizations that enhance the quality of life of brain cancer patients and their families.
Although Tug passed away in January, his presence was felt throughout the evening. Photographs and video montages brought back images of Tug from his youth to his playing days to his retirement years. Fans purchased "Ya Gotta Believe" caps and copies of Tug's autobiography (Ya Gotta Believe!: My Roller-Coaster Life as a Screwball Pitcher and Part-Time Father, and My Hope-Filled Fight Against Brain Cancer) and had them autographed by many of Tug's Phillies compatriots in attendance such as Garry Maddox and Dallas Green. At the end of the evening, the partygoers gathered to sing Happy Birthday and to toast the memory of one of baseball's most unforgettable characters.
During his lifetime, Tug always divided his time between his fans in New York and Philadelphia, and the foundation that bears his name is upholding that tradition. The Tug McGraw Foundation is planning a major event to be held in New York around the start of the baseball season this spring, and it will be a tribute to Tug with a focus on his career with the Mets. Anybody who would like to volunteer to help with the spring event or who would like to support foundation in other ways should visit the foundation's website at http://www.tugmcgraw.com.