Tug McGraw Became a Phillie
In a trade that helped build the Phillies into a contender, they obtained Tug McGraw from the Mets on this date in 1974 for Del Unser, John Stearns and Mac Scarce. Turned out to be a one-sided deal... with the exuberant McGraw resuming his place as a fan favorite -- and one of the National League's best relievers.
![]() |
On August 30th, 1984, the summer after the Phils second pennant winner, the club saluted McGraw on his birthday at Veterans Stadium during a twi-night doubleheader. Dennis and I drove down from New York to catch the event. (left) Tug takes his place as the between-games ceremony gets underway, while (below) his number 45 is aglow on the video board.
On the turf, the Phillies split a twin-bill with the Giants -- losing the opener and taking the nightcap, both by 6 - 5 scores. Below, from the early game, it's ex-Phil Randy Lerch on the mound for San Francisco (which was managed by Danny Ozark, the skipper for Philadelphia's three consecutive division winners of the '70s).
Comments