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by the Staff of KYW Newsradio
Tug McGraw, the Philadelphia Phillies closer who sealed the team's only World Series championship, has died at the age of 59 at the home of his son in Nashville.
His motto, "You Gotta Believe," made him an icon of optimism to Phillies' fans throughout his life.
The image of Tug dancing on the pitcher's mound with arms upraised following the final pitch of the 1980 World Series is one of the most enduring in Philadelphia sports history.
Phillies' spokesman Larry Shenk says Tug lost his battle with cancer Monday, and was with his son, country singer Tim McGraw, at the time of his death.
Tug McGraw had been battling the disease since March, when he underwent surgery for a malignant tumor, just days after appearing (left) at Phils training camp in Clearwater.
After the surgery he made several emotional returns to Veterans Stadium, including an appearance at the closing ceremonies for the stadium. During the program, he re-enacted his final pitch of the 1980 World Series, striking out Kansas City's Willie Wilson for the title.
Phils' broadcaster Harry Kalas:
"When you think of Tug, you think of a winner and you think of a guy who really had fun playing the game. You think of him and you smile. You know he's upstairs making people smile as well."
Shenk says, "He didn't give up. He kept a positive outlook and still wore a cap that said, 'You Gotta Believe.' And he gave it all he had. And now he's resting in peace with no pain."
Ironically, McGraw's death came on the same day that the Phillies' management moved into its new home at Citizens Bank Park.
In addition to his son Tim, McGraw is survived by sons Mark and Matthew McGraw; a daughter, Cari Velardo; and four grandchildren.
Funeral arrangements were not immediately available.
KYW's Mike DeNardo recalled McGraw's life with people at the Melrose Diner.
To fans there, it's not an understatement to say that with McGraw's death, Philadelphia has lost a hero..
Pat Renzi of South Philadelphia says not only did Tug live his life with a positive attitude, but he brought out that same attitude in others, too:
"A man with such a positive spirit and attitude, to succumb to cancer, I guess brings it down to reality. H's just a human being just like the rest of us. But a great one."
Anthony Cortese, the general manager at the Melrose, remembers McGraw coming off the mound, slapping his glove to his leg:
"He was a special person. And I think he enlightened everybody here in Philadelphia with just what he brought to the game of baseball itself."
Tug McGraw, the Philadelphia Phillies closer who sealed the team's only World Series championship, has died at the age of 59 at the home of his son in Nashville.
His motto, "You Gotta Believe," made him an icon of optimism to Phillies' fans throughout his life.
The image of Tug dancing on the pitcher's mound with arms upraised following the final pitch of the 1980 World Series is one of the most enduring in Philadelphia sports history.
Phillies' spokesman Larry Shenk says Tug lost his battle with cancer Monday, and was with his son, country singer Tim McGraw, at the time of his death.
Tug McGraw had been battling the disease since March, when he underwent surgery for a malignant tumor, just days after appearing (left) at Phils training camp in Clearwater.
After the surgery he made several emotional returns to Veterans Stadium, including an appearance at the closing ceremonies for the stadium. During the program, he re-enacted his final pitch of the 1980 World Series, striking out Kansas City's Willie Wilson for the title.
Phils' broadcaster Harry Kalas:
"When you think of Tug, you think of a winner and you think of a guy who really had fun playing the game. You think of him and you smile. You know he's upstairs making people smile as well."
Shenk says, "He didn't give up. He kept a positive outlook and still wore a cap that said, 'You Gotta Believe.' And he gave it all he had. And now he's resting in peace with no pain."
Ironically, McGraw's death came on the same day that the Phillies' management moved into its new home at Citizens Bank Park.
In addition to his son Tim, McGraw is survived by sons Mark and Matthew McGraw; a daughter, Cari Velardo; and four grandchildren.
Funeral arrangements were not immediately available.
KYW's Mike DeNardo recalled McGraw's life with people at the Melrose Diner.
To fans there, it's not an understatement to say that with McGraw's death, Philadelphia has lost a hero..
Pat Renzi of South Philadelphia says not only did Tug live his life with a positive attitude, but he brought out that same attitude in others, too:
"A man with such a positive spirit and attitude, to succumb to cancer, I guess brings it down to reality. H's just a human being just like the rest of us. But a great one."
Anthony Cortese, the general manager at the Melrose, remembers McGraw coming off the mound, slapping his glove to his leg:
"He was a special person. And I think he enlightened everybody here in Philadelphia with just what he brought to the game of baseball itself."