Ya Gotta Believe!: My Roller-Coaster Life as a Screwball Pitcher and Part-Time father, and My Hope-Filled Fight Against Brain Cancer

by Tug McGraw, Don Yaeger, Tim McGraw (Introduction)

Former relief pitcher for the Mets and the Phillies, and father of country music star, Tim McGraw, Tug McGraw writes openly of his on-field triumphs and off-field antics, his dramatic battle with brain cancer, his family and financial problems, and what happens to a professional athlete when the cheering stops.

Genres: Baseball, Sports, Biography

256 pages, Hardcover

First published February 1, 2004

Reviews

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was a young teen during the “Ya Gotta Believe” era in NY, and quite an enthusiastic Met fan. There were three pitchers who were my favorites:

Jon Matlack with his amazing pitching motion.

Jerry Koosman the likeable guy next door who was always reliable.

Tug McGraw the screwball.

The term screwball fit Tug to a “T”. It was his signature pitch and I’m still convinced only he could throw it. It tore his shoulder to shreds. And off the field the man was completely bananas…he really was a screwball.

This is an incredibly honest book written by Tug himself, and he doesn’t sugar coat any aspect of his life. I learned things about him I never knew. Tug died way too young, but he put up a good fight. He was larger than life. I hope he realized the positive impact his short life had on the public. He touched so many people….not only baseball fans, but those battling mental health issues and those fighting cancer. I think he did more good than he ever realized.

Ya Gotta Believe.

[Craig Adamson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I heard Don Yeager speak at a recent conference and he gave each attendee a free, autographed copy of the book. I started reading it back in late April, but was working on some other books and didn't pick it up again till last week.

As a big baseball fan during the late 70's and 80's I was familiar with Tug McGraw and the 1980 World Series was one of the first I remember watching on TV. So it was fun to relive some of those memories from the 'inside' by hearing the stories.

The story is really tragic. While death is tragic, Tug McGraw was a pretty shitty person and father as an adult. One of those guys who is a great friend and fun to be around, but a real ass to his family. He talks alot about those mistakes in the book, but it is a real shame for his wives and his kids... especially Tim McGraw. His kids and ex-wives are pretty big people (including his ex-girlfriend who is Tim McGraw's mother) to allow him to be in their lives for as long as he was. And to care for him at the end of his life they way they did.

i enjoyed reading the story, but the reason I give the book low marks is due to how it is edited or laid out. It skips back and forth so much that it was hard to follow and really took me away from the story and being able to care more. Just a lot of herky-jerky changes from one scene to the next. Fast-forward, rewind, then back to the present train of thought for awhile. It seems like the book was laid out as if it was a stream of conscience telling of things, not a thoughtul or chronological telling of the story.

I really enjoyed Don Yaeger's talk about the books he has helped various people write. So i'd listen to him again and again. I will be interested in reading some of the other books to see if the styles are the same or a more coherent story telling.

[Fergie · Rating 3 out of 5]

In some ways, Tug McGraw was my first crush. I was an eight year old girl when he pitched the Phillies to their first World Series back in 1980. Being a big Tug (and later Tim) fan as well as a fan of the Phillies, I felt compelling to read it when it was handed to me by another Phillies' fan. It's been a few years since then but I still recall how much I liked it...and how glad I was to discover that along with a memories of him from childhood, I can now say after reading his memoir that I really came away liking him as a person...open, vulnerable, funny. Tug wrote openly about his life, his mistakes and regrets (ie...he didn't avoid discussing his abandonment of his country music superstar son Tim for the first 18 years of Tim's life), and later redemption. Through it all, Tug wrote with the humor and zany zest for life that makes him, to this day, a favorite among Phillies fans.

[Joe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Since the Phillies will be going back to the World Series next week, I think now is a good time to review the book about the guy who got the last out in their only world championship. I have always been a big fan of Tug (although I missed most of the best parts - since I was only 3 years old in 1980), as well as his son and daughter-in-law.
The book is pretty good, mostly because he has a lot of good things to right about. It's also pretty inspiring for someone who may be struggling with a significant crisis.
Also, I'll mention that I got to meet him once when he came to Lehigh for one of his son's concerts. I was helping with the parking before the concert he pulled into my section. I didn't need to check his ID to make sure he was supposed to go the VIP lot.

[WanderLizt Travel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I admit, I kept reading this book to understand the relationship between his first son, Tim McGraw. I had heard parts of the story but not in entirety. I skipped a few of the baseball lingo, stats, and stories but could relate to some of the cancer fears. Tim has the biggest heart and this book made me respect him more. It takes a lot of humility, forgiveness, and love to help someone who denied him and wasn't there for him. It seemed to workout so well --at the right time-- and grew the characters of both McGraw men.

[The Salty Heifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is my book 21 on the pop sugar challenge it's going to be my toughest yet because it calls for a book your mother loved. Well my mom passed away in March she gave me two books this one and the evidence bible. I'm really going to make the second one a personally goal. So for now we will start here. I really enjoyed the book I could see what made my mom like it. The humor really helped otherwise it would have been rather dry.

[Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

You know why I love this book...because he admitted to his life on and off of the field. Tug McGraw talks about everything and leaves nothing off. We all think we know who our heroes are but we have no idea.

[Paul Long · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of the bad things about reading an autobiography by one of your childhood heroes is finding out what an asshole he was.

[Eerie Angel Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

A touching and honest story.

[Jovan Johnson]

i love this book

[Karl Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought that this a very good book. It tell of how Mets Pitcher Tug McGraw's Battle Brain Cancer/
I would recommend this book for those who love baseball & the New York Mets

[Kalle Wescott · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read /Ya Gotta Believe!: My Roller-Coaster Life as a Screwball Pitcher and Part-Time father, and My Hope-Filled Fight Against Brain Cancer/, by Tug McGraw:

"Tug McGraw’s 'Ya Gotta Believe!' was the rallying cry of the 1973 New York Mets. But it was also the rallying cry of the screwy left-handed relief pitcher who made millions of fans believe in the impossible, especially when-as a member of the Philadelphia Phillies-he struck out Kansas City’s Willie Wilson to win the 1980 World Series. Here is the story of a man who rose to fame, fell from grace, battled cancer, and became a champion not just in baseball, but in life."

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tim comes out looking really good in this book. Tug not so much.

[barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kudos to Tug McGraw for writing such an honest book - the title says it all. a class act all the way to the end.

[Melissa Coffman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book. I cried at the end.