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Frank Edwin McGraw
New York Mets
Pitcher
Born: August 30, 1944, Martinez, CA
Signed: Signed by the New York Mets as an amateur free agent, June 12, 1956
Major League Teams: New York Mets 1965-67, 1969-74; Philadelphia Phillies 1975-84
World Series Appearances: New York Mets 1973; Philadelphia Phillies 1980
Died: January 5, 2004, Brentwood, TN (age 59)
One of the most popular players of his era, Tug McGraw was a key component of the 1969 Miracle Mets and he also recorded the final out in the 1980 World Series to give the Phillies their first championship in franchise history. McGraw was an All-Star in 1972 and 1975 and he finished in the top ten in saves in seven different seasons. Over 19 seasons, McGraw appeared in 824 games, compiling a 96-92 record with 180 saves and 3.14 ERA.
McGraw is the rare player who was able to be equally beloved by both Mets and Phillies fans, and writing this now I'm struggling to think of any other player who has been able to straddle that divide.
Died: January 5, 2004, Brentwood, TN (age 59)
One of the most popular players of his era, Tug McGraw was a key component of the 1969 Miracle Mets and he also recorded the final out in the 1980 World Series to give the Phillies their first championship in franchise history. McGraw was an All-Star in 1972 and 1975 and he finished in the top ten in saves in seven different seasons. Over 19 seasons, McGraw appeared in 824 games, compiling a 96-92 record with 180 saves and 3.14 ERA.
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| 1992 Philadelphia Phillies ALS Autograph Party Photocards |
Some text for this post originally appeared on my 1965 Topps blog.
Building the Set / Card #595
September 21, 2025 from The Philly Show (America's Pastime)
The Card / Mets Team Set / Accuracy Index +5
1969 Season
McGraw emerged as an elite reliever during the 1969 season, appearing in 42 games for the eventual World Champions, and going 9-3 with a 2.24 ERA in 100 1/3 innings pitched. He made four starts and threw a complete game victory over the Cubs on May 4th. McGraw's 12 saves were one fewer than his right-handed complement out of the bullpen, Ron Taylor (#72). He was crucial down the stretch for the Mets, and in August, September and October, McGraw was 4-1 with seven saves and a 0.50 ERA in 18 relief appearances, spanning 36 innings. His services were needed only once in the postseason, as he pitched a scoreless three innings in NLCS Game 2, earning a save.
Phillies Career
McGraw was traded to the Phillies with Don Hahn on December 3, 1974 for Mac Scarce, John Stearns and Del Unser (#338). Between 1975 and 1984, he was one of the most reliable relievers for the Phillies, appearing in 463 games and recording 94 saves. Upon retirement, he was the Phillies all-time saves leader, but he's since been passed by five other relievers. McGraw struck out Willie Wilson in Game 6 of the 1980 World Series, leaping off the mound in one of the most iconic moments in Philadelphia sports history. He was inducted into the Phillies Wall of Fame in 1999.
Other Notable Baseball Cards
First Mainstream Card: 1965 Topps #533
Topps Flagship Set Appearances (21): 1965-85
Most Recent Mainstream Card: 2017 Topps Update Postseason Celebrations #PC-3
Total Non-Parallel Baseball Cards: 181 in the Beckett online database as of 11/8/25.
Sources:
Baseball Reference / SABR / Wikipedia
Building the Set / Card #595
September 21, 2025 from The Philly Show (America's Pastime)
On Sunday morning, September 21st, I made the hour-long drive to the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks, Pennsylvania for the latest installment of the Philadelphia Sports Card & Memorabilia Show, known to its friends as The Philly Show. The show has a legitimate official sponsor (eBay) and the advertisement for the event notes the show is in its 50th year. I hadn't attended a baseball card show since the last Philly Show in December, and I was flying solo to this one as our oldest son is in his first month of college at Villanova. I posted a full summary of the show over at The Phillies Room.
I made stops at six tables at the show, all yielding needed cards for our 1969 Topps set, and I left the show with just 16 more cards to go for my version of a complete set. The first place I stopped was a table with well-organized and well-marked binders of commons and semi-stars with 20% Off notes across the front of each binder.
I took my time and found 32 commons and semi-stars needed before asking to see the dealer's star cards from the set. It turned out this first purchase was also my biggest, as I spent over half my allotted budget here, America's Pastime from Fair Lawn, New Jersey, before moving on to my second stop. This was the 36th of 36 total cards bought from America's Pastime, and the 36th of 91 cards for set added overall on the day. McGraw was the fourth of four star cards I'd add from America's Pastime, and I likely paid a premium given the popularity of McGraw in the Philly area.
The Card / Mets Team Set / Accuracy Index +5
Topps had to scoot McGraw's photo over to the left to make room for the purple name and position circle on the front of the card. His minor league successes are highlighted on the back. We also get a rare in-season highlight, noting McGraw was the winning pitcher for the Mets on April 9th. Mets' starter Jim McAndrew (#321) departed the second game of the season after one inning, with McGraw allowing a run on five hits over 6 1/3 innings of relief. He struck out seven batters, and Nolan Ryan (#533) relieved him to record the final five outs and earn a save.
Accuracy Index: McGraw's card scores a +5.
1969 Season
McGraw emerged as an elite reliever during the 1969 season, appearing in 42 games for the eventual World Champions, and going 9-3 with a 2.24 ERA in 100 1/3 innings pitched. He made four starts and threw a complete game victory over the Cubs on May 4th. McGraw's 12 saves were one fewer than his right-handed complement out of the bullpen, Ron Taylor (#72). He was crucial down the stretch for the Mets, and in August, September and October, McGraw was 4-1 with seven saves and a 0.50 ERA in 18 relief appearances, spanning 36 innings. His services were needed only once in the postseason, as he pitched a scoreless three innings in NLCS Game 2, earning a save.
McGraw was traded to the Phillies with Don Hahn on December 3, 1974 for Mac Scarce, John Stearns and Del Unser (#338). Between 1975 and 1984, he was one of the most reliable relievers for the Phillies, appearing in 463 games and recording 94 saves. Upon retirement, he was the Phillies all-time saves leader, but he's since been passed by five other relievers. McGraw struck out Willie Wilson in Game 6 of the 1980 World Series, leaping off the mound in one of the most iconic moments in Philadelphia sports history. He was inducted into the Phillies Wall of Fame in 1999.
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First Mainstream Card: 1965 Topps #533
Topps Flagship Set Appearances (21): 1965-85
Most Recent Mainstream Card: 2017 Topps Update Postseason Celebrations #PC-3
Total Non-Parallel Baseball Cards: 181 in the Beckett online database as of 11/8/25.
Sources:
Baseball Reference / SABR / Wikipedia
Beckett Database / The Trading Card Database
1965 Topps Blog / The Phillies Room
1965 Topps Blog / The Phillies Room
#600 Tony Oliva - Minnesota Twins / #602 Cubs Rookie Stars
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