Tug Mcgraw

Tug McGraw, the Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher who established himself as one of baseball's most popular players in his 17 seasons, today announced his retirement. McGraw, 40, first played with the New York Mets but spent his last 10 seasons with the Phillies. The left-hander posted a lifetime record of 96-92 with a 3.14 earned run average and 179 saves. Last season, he was 2-0 with a 3.79 earned run average.

What's in a name? If the names are Rita Wilson, Tom Hanks, Kate Capshaw and Steven Spielberg, there is enough star power to attract 500 people to the Beverly Wilshire Four Seasons Hotel and gross $1.7 million to benefit the Entertainment Industry Foundation's Women's Cancer Research Fund. The two couples co-founded the charity, along with Kelly Chapman Meyer, Anne Douglas, Quinn Ezralow, Marion Laurie and Jamie Tisch, to help find more effective approaches to the early detection of women's cancers.

Tug McGraw, the relief pitcher who coined the phrase "Ya Gotta Believe" during the New York Mets' improbable run to the 1973 National League pennant and who closed out the Philadelphia Phillies' only World Series title in 1980, died Monday. He was 59. McGraw died of brain cancer at the home of his son, country music star Tim McGraw, outside of Nashville, according to Laurie Hawkins, a family spokeswoman.

Tim McGraw led the list of nominees for the 40th annual Academy of Country Music Awards with six nominations, including one for entertainer of the year. Kenny Chesney, Alison Krauss and Gretchen Wilson each received five nominations, while Toby Keith, Brad Paisley and Keith Urban had four apiece. Keith, the reigning entertainer of the year and a nominee for the award again this year along with McGraw, Chesney, Urban and Brooks & Dunn, announced the nominees Thursday.

Mark McGraw, son of of former Philadelphia Phillie pitcher Tug McGraw, was found not guilty of rape in Philadelphia.

The 20-year-old son of former major league pitcher Tug McGraw was released on $5,000 bail after being charged with raping a woman at Temple University, police said. Mark McGraw of Philadelphia was charged with rape, indecent assault, simple assault, unlawful restraint and false imprisonment, according to police.

A consumer's guide to the best and worst of sports media and merchandise. Ground rules: If it can be read, heard, observed, viewed, dialed or downloaded, it's in play here. One exception: No products will be endorsed. What: "Ya Gotta Believe: My Roller-Coaster Life As a Screwball Pitcher and Part-Time Father, and My Hope-Filled Fight Against Brain Cancer." Author: Tug McGraw and Don Yeager. Publisher: New American Library. Price: $16.77 at amazon.com.

Tim McGraw led the list of nominees for the 40th annual Academy of Country Music Awards with six nominations, including one for entertainer of the year. Kenny Chesney, Alison Krauss and Gretchen Wilson each received five nominations, while Toby Keith, Brad Paisley and Keith Urban had four apiece. Keith, the reigning entertainer of the year and a nominee for the award again this year along with McGraw, Chesney, Urban and Brooks & Dunn, announced the nominees Thursday.

Tug McGraw was diagnosed with brain cancer and doctors were trying to determine if they could operate, a source close to the former relief pitcher said Friday. The doctors found at least two tumors, the source said, speaking on condition of anonymity. The diagnosis of cancer was confirmed by a second source close to McGraw, also on condition of anonymity. "This reminds you how short life is," said Philadelphia Phillie Manager Larry Bowa, who would not give details of McGraw's condition.

Tim McGraw's "Live Like You Were Dying" won song of the year and single of the year, and Kenny Chesney took entertainer of the year and album of the year honors at the Country Music Assn. awards Tuesday night. "Of course the song is special to me, but I think it is special to a lot of people," McGraw said. "The song to me is not about death; it's an affirmation about life."

Tim McGraw's "Live Like You Were Dying" won song of the year and single of the year, and Kenny Chesney took entertainer of the year and album of the year honors at the Country Music Assn. awards Tuesday night. "Of course the song is special to me, but I think it is special to a lot of people," McGraw said. "The song to me is not about death; it's an affirmation about life."

A consumer's guide to the best and worst of sports media and merchandise. Ground rules: If it can be read, heard, observed, viewed, dialed or downloaded, it's in play here. One exception: No products will be endorsed. What: "Ya Gotta Believe: My Roller-Coaster Life As a Screwball Pitcher and Part-Time Father, and My Hope-Filled Fight Against Brain Cancer." Author: Tug McGraw and Don Yeager. Publisher: New American Library. Price: $16.77 at amazon.com.

After the Philadelphia Eagles' overtime victory over the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, Eagle safety Brian Dawkins was quoted in the Philadelphia Inquirer saying, "Ya gotta believe. I don't believe I'm the first person in Philadelphia to say it. I do believe there was another professional athlete in this town who said it first. "Yes," wrote the Inquirer's Phil Sheridan, "Tug McGraw, you're still winning friends and influencing sporting events."

Tom Lasorda, who will serve as the master of ceremonies at a dinner at the Beverly Hilton hotel tonight benefiting baseball scouts, remembers scouting a broadcasting talent when he was the manager of Spokane of the Pacific Coast League in 1971. Lasorda said that during a series against the Hawaii Islanders in Honolulu, he called Dodger Vice President and General Manager Al Campanis to tell him about a young announcer for the Islanders.

Tug McGraw, the former relief pitcher who died Monday of brain cancer, was an original. Reader Scott Parks LeTellier of Palos Verdes said his all-time favorite quote was uttered by McGraw after he had signed a bonus-laden deal and was asked what he would do with the money. Quoth McGraw, "Ninety percent, I'll spend on good times, women and Irish whiskey. The other 10%, I'll probably waste."

Tug McGraw, the relief pitcher who coined the phrase "Ya Gotta Believe" during the New York Mets' improbable run to the 1973 National League pennant and who closed out the Philadelphia Phillies' only World Series title in 1980, died Monday. He was 59. McGraw died of brain cancer at the home of his son, country music star Tim McGraw, outside of Nashville, according to Laurie Hawkins, a family spokeswoman.

Tug McGraw, the former relief pitcher who died Monday of brain cancer, was an original. Reader Scott Parks LeTellier of Palos Verdes said his all-time favorite quote was uttered by McGraw after he had signed a bonus-laden deal and was asked what he would do with the money. Quoth McGraw, "Ninety percent, I'll spend on good times, women and Irish whiskey. The other 10%, I'll probably waste."

After the Philadelphia Eagles' overtime victory over the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, Eagle safety Brian Dawkins was quoted in the Philadelphia Inquirer saying, "Ya gotta believe. I don't believe I'm the first person in Philadelphia to say it. I do believe there was another professional athlete in this town who said it first. "Yes," wrote the Inquirer's Phil Sheridan, "Tug McGraw, you're still winning friends and influencing sporting events."

Tug McGraw was on the minds of the Philadelphia Phillies on Monday, including former teammate Mike Schmidt. The Hall of Fame third baseman rejoined the Phillies as a special spring training hitting instructor. His thoughts were on McGraw, who is scheduled for surgery today at the Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Fla. "The initial reports were very gloomy," Schmidt said. "But they've done a total about-face since he got to the cancer center. They haven't found cancer in any other part of his body.

Tug McGraw was diagnosed with brain cancer and doctors were trying to determine if they could operate, a source close to the former relief pitcher said Friday. The doctors found at least two tumors, the source said, speaking on condition of anonymity. The diagnosis of cancer was confirmed by a second source close to McGraw, also on condition of anonymity. "This reminds you how short life is," said Philadelphia Phillie Manager Larry Bowa, who would not give details of McGraw's condition.