Tug McGraw (Part Two): 1973 N.L. Champion Mets Fireman- "You Gotta Believe"
1973 Mets N.L. Pennant Season: Tug started out the season with another Opening Day save, after relieving Tom Seaver to finish off ta shut out of the Philadelphia Phillies. At the end of April, he had four straight saves and was posting a 1.59 ERA, just like the Tug McGraw of old. But in May he began to struggle, on May 4th he entered a tie game against the Astros, with the bases loaded in the 8th inning. He walked three runs in & had to be removed, the Mets lost it in extra innings. On May 6th, he came into the game in the 6th inning, with two on & the Mets up on the Astros 7-3. He gave up a double to Cesar Cedeno & a three run HR to Bob Watson tying up the game. In the 7th, he gave up two hits & then walked two batters blowing the four-run lead having to be removed again. The Mets blew the game losing 14-8. Tug did get a bit on track saving three games until May 19th, when he served up HRs to the Pirates Bob Robertson & a three runs blast to Willie Stargell