Tug's Memory Lives On
March 2004 Issue
On January 5th, Mets Hall-of-Famer Tug McGraw passed away following a 10-month long battle against brain cancer. While the baseball world continues to mourn this loss, Tug's memory lives on.
February 10th was the release date for Tug's intensely personal autobiography -- "Ya Gotta Believe: My Roller-Coaster Life As a Screwball Pitcher and Part-Time Father, and My Hope-Filled Fight Against Brain Cancer." The book, which was a collaborative effort between Tug and author Don Yaeger, covers the whole gamut of Tug's life, from his difficult childhood in California to his life in baseball to his retirement years and, ultimately, to his fight against cancer. The book also features an introduction written by Tug's oldest son, country music superstar Tim McGraw, as well as an epilogue that was completed a few days following Tug's death. Laurie Hawkins, who was Tug's business manager and counsel during the final year of his life, says that, "When people see this book, they will get a deeper understanding of the man." "Ya Gotta Believe!" is must reading for anybody who wants to know more about the man who inspired the Mets and their fans so charismatically.
Tug also left behind a living legacy in the form of The Tug McGraw Foundation. As described on the http://www.tugmcgraw.com/ website, the mission of the nonprofit corporation is "to promote public awareness of brain tumors and brain tumor research; to develop and support programs and activities which provide educational, medical and community activities for brain cancer tumor patients and their families; and to support entities engaging in medical research for the prevention and cure of brain tumors." Ms. Hawkins, who is the Foundation's president, tells Inside Pitch that during his illness, Tug was touched by the number of e-mails that he received from other cancer patients for whom he provided inspiration. "He realized that his status as a public persona could raise awareness of brain cancer," and formed the Foundation. Jennifer Brusstar, the wife of Tug's former Phillies teammate Warren Brusstar, is the Foundation's CEO, and Tim McGraw is the honorary chairman.
The Foundation is not looking to reinvent the wheel. Rather, it plans to support existing organizations that aid brain cancer survivors and their families in a variety of ways. Medical research is obviously one priority -- extending the quality of life and lifespan of brain cancer survivors and even learning how to prevent brain tumors are important goals. The Foundation also seeks to support groups that help brain cancer patients and their families in other ways, such as paying for expensive drugs and treatments that are not currently covered by medical insurance. Ms. Hawkins tells us that the Foundation is forming a medical advisory board so that it can determine which organizations to assist in these areas.
With a newly released autobiography documenting his life and the Foundation continuing his fight against brain cancer, Ya Gotta Believe that Tug McGraw is going to live on in our thoughts for many years to come.
For more information about the Tug McGraw Foundation, or to make a donation, please visit the Tug McGraw Foundation website.