That Balls Outta Here
FanSided

Phillies All-Decade Team 1970s: Homegrown Talent at the Forefront

By Kerry Kauffman

PHILADELPHIA, PA - CIRCA 1980: Pitcher Steve Carlton #32 of the Philadelphia Phillies pitches during an Major League Baseball game circa 1980 at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Carlton played for the Phillies from 1972-86. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - CIRCA 1980: Pitcher Steve Carlton #32 of the Philadelphia Phillies pitches during an Major League Baseball game circa 1980 at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Carlton played for the Phillies from 1972-86. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – OCTOBER 21, 1980: Pitcher Tug McGraw #45 of the Philadelphia Phillies talks with the Media after defeating the Kansas City Royals in game six of the 1980 World Series at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Phillies won the series 4 games to 2. McGraw played for the Phillies from 1975- 84. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – OCTOBER 21, 1980: Pitcher Tug McGraw #45 of the Philadelphia Phillies talks with the Media after defeating the Kansas City Royals in game six of the 1980 World Series at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Phillies won the series 4 games to 2. McGraw played for the Phillies from 1975- 84. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

Tug McGraw

McGraw is best known in Philadelphia for his work during the 1980 season, particularly late and in the postseason. However, he did much more during his long tenure in Philadelphia which began he was traded to the Phillies by the Mets in December of 1974.

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In 1975, McGraw made his second and final All-Star team, going 9-6 with 14 saves and a 2.96 ERA in 102 2/3 innings.  A model of consistency, McGraw logged 97 1/3 innings the next season, won seven, saved 11 and had a fine ERA of 2.50.

Although appearing in only 45 games in 1977, McGraw went 7-3 with nine saves and an ERA again under three, at 2.62. He allowed only 62 hits in 79 innings while striking out 58.

The 1978 season saw McGraw’s ERA on the high side of three for the first time in Philadelphia, at 3.21. He was still quite effective, winning eight and saving nine in 55 games.

McGraw’s 1979 season was a blip on the radar, posting a career worse 5.16 ERA for a full season, although he still saved 16 games and compiled 83 2/3 innings.  The “Tugger” went on to pitch five more seasons with the Phillies, retiring after the 1984 season at the age of 39.

During the 1970s with the Phillies McGraw went 35-25 with 59 saves and an ERA of 3.26.

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