Tugger

The first year I remember watching most, if not all, of the World Series was 1980. It was the Phillies against the Royals. The Royals, you might remember, were a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. Oh, wait, I guess they still have a team there. One that can beat the Tigers and few other teams ... Anyhow, the ace relievers were Tug McGraw and Dan Quisenberry. My dad thought that Quisenberry's underarm/sidearm delivery was awesome. To this day, anytime someone throws that way, my dad will say, "He throws like the Quiz used to."

I remember when Tugger gave up a long drive that ended up going foul. It was cool the way he patted his heart, in "relief." He was a character, and always had been.

Sadly, the Quiz died of brain cancer in 1998 and Tugger died from complications of a brain tumor in 2003. Two relievers, battling it out back in 1980. The Phillies won that series and would return in '83. From '80 until about '93, I watched the World Series religiously. The strike of '94 turned me away from baseball for a while. I still watched some of the Series each year, but not all of it.

Information about what where Tug is today, via ESPN.com:

The late Tug McGraw threw the final pitch the last time the Philadelphia Phillies won a World Series in 1980. Thanks to his son, country music singer Tim McGraw, he was remembered before Game 3 this time around.

Accompanied by kids from a local chapter of the Boys & Girls Club, Tim McGraw threw out the ceremonial first pitch Saturday night. He brought some of his father's ashes along and at one point, reached into his pocket, took them out and sprinkled them on the mound. Tim also re-enacted his father's trademark slap of his baseball glove across his thigh when he got a batter out.

Thanks for tuning in!!!