Tug McGraw was a left-handed relief pitcher who played in Major League Baseball from 1965 to 1984. While he had a long and successful career, McGraw is perhaps best known for getting the final out in the 1980 World Series as a member of the Philadelphia Phillies. His colorful personality and willingness to speak his mind also made him a fan favorite and interesting figure. Unsurprisingly, McGraw has been featured on numerous baseball cards over the years that commemorated his playing career and accomplishments.

One of the earliest McGraw baseball cards comes from his rookie season of 1965 with the New York Mets. That year, Topps released McGraw’s rookie card as part of their main 1965 baseball card set (card #486). The simple vertical design shows McGraw in a Mets uniform from his first season in the big leagues at age 21. While not one of the rarer rookie cards due to the large print run of Topps sets in the 1960s, it remains a collectible item for McGraw and early Mets fans. McGraw struggled as a starter in his first few seasons with the hapless Mets, which made his rookie card less sought after in the ensuing decades. Interest in 1960s Mets cards grew in the 1990s and 2000s as the “lovable losers” era took on nostalgia.

In the late 1960s and 1970s, McGraw established himself as a top reliever and gained more card coverage. Topps continued to feature him annually through the 1970s in their flagship sets. One of the more visually interesting McGraw cards comes from 1972 Topps (card #600). It shows him mid-windup in bright yellow Mets colors, with an action photo that stands out from the simpler posed shots of many 1970s cards. McGraw was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies in 1973, where he became a postseason hero. This change in teams was reflected on his 1974 Topps card (card #480), which pictured him in Phillies red pinstripes for the first time.

McGraw’s playoff heroics translated to increased baseball card popularity and value. In 1980, he helped lead the Phillies to their first World Series title since 1950. Not surprisingly, McGraw’s 1980 Topps card (card #500) from that championship season became one of his most iconic and sought-after among collectors. It pictures a smiling McGraw in a Phillies uniform along with a small cutout image of him leaping in the air after recording the final out against the Kansas City Royals. PSA has graded examples of the 1980 McGraw Topps card in high grades worth hundreds of dollars today. Various update sets in the 1980s and 1990s also featured the 1980 image showing McGraw’s World Series moment.

In addition to his standard rookie and yearly issue cards from the 1960s to 1980s in flagship Topps sets, McGraw appeared in several specialty and oddball card releases over the years that garnered collector interest. In the 1970s, he was featured in the likes of Kellogg’s 3-D Baseball cards, Red Man chewing tobacco cards, and Bazooka bubble gum cards among others. One of the more visually striking McGraw oddball cards comes from 1976’s Wacky Packages bubble gum cards. Issued by Topps, the card humorously depicts McGraw with a thought bubble reading “I yak therefore I am” in keeping with the brand’s parody packaging designs. Such offbeat issues captured McGraw’s fun-loving public persona.

After retiring in 1984, McGraw continued to be recognized on retired player and alumni cards. He appeared in issues like 1987 Topps Baseball Immortals which paid tribute to baseball greats of the past. McGraw was also part of 1995’s Topps All-Time Fan Favorites set that allowed fans to vote on players to be included. More recently, he received new card treatments in modern releases like 2017 Topps Archives Snapshots and 2019 Topps Heritage. These help to preserve McGraw’s legacy for newer generations of collectors. His 1980 World Series heroics in particular cemented him as one of the most iconic and memorable relief pitchers in baseball card history.

In summary, Tug McGraw enjoyed a prolific baseball card collecting career spanning from 1965 to the present day. As his on-field performances and postseason moments like the 1980 World Series improved over time, so too did the desirability and value of many of his vintage cards to collectors. While his early 1960s rookie cards may not demand huge prices, McGraw’s contributions to the Mets and Phillies organizations as well as his fun personality have kept him a relevant name in the card collecting community. The various standard, oddball, and tribute issues of McGraw over the decades stand as a testament to his memorable playing career and enduring fan popularity.

Tug McGraw was a unique character known for his personality, memorable motto “Ya Gotta Believe!”, and clutch relief pitching performances throughout his MLB career from 1965 to 1984. As a result, McGraw has become one of the most popular players to ever collect via baseball cards. Collectors enjoy chasing McGraw’s cards not just for their historical value but also to relive the many entertaining tales and images capturing his spirited approach to the game.

McGraw debuted in 1965 as a member of the Philadelphia Phillies and appeared in Topps and Fleer sets through 1974 as a key member of that franchise. Among his coveted early Phillies cards are his 1968 Topps and 1971 Topps issues. The 1968 highlights his big breakthrough season where he posted a 2.42 ERA and 8 saves out of the bullpen to help Philly reach the World Series. Meanwhile, the 1971 represents McGraw establishing himself as one of baseball’s elite setup men with a 2.64 ERA and 8 saves while sporting longer hair that demonstrated his growing hippie persona.

After being traded to the New York Mets in 1973, McGraw’s cards from 1975 onward depict his transformation into a superstar closer. His 1975 Topps is a fan favorite showing him celebrating a save with the “Ya Gotta Believe!” quote becoming his trademark. Collectors enjoy how this expresses McGraw’s flamboyant style and confidence coming through for the Mets. In 1977, McGraw led the league with 27 saves while becoming a World Series hero and cementing his place among the game’s top relievers. His iconic 1977 Topps and other ’77s reflect this peak of his career.

McGraw’s star power carried into the late 1970s/early 1980s. In 1978, he was featured prominently in the hugely popular Traded set from Topps since he was just acquired by the Mets midseason. His custom posed photo made him quite identifiable. In 1979 Topps, McGraw is honored in the set’s Traded repeat subset due to another midseason trade sending him back to the Phillies. His 1979 Kellogg’s 3D baseball card in plastic lens form stands out as a true novelty capturing his last moments as a Met.

McGraw had several strong seasons after returning permanently to Philadelphia in 1980. He posted multiple 20+ save campaigns and was recognized in high quality photos on his 1981 and 1982 Donruss cards showing off his durable relief skills later in his career. His final MLB season in 1984 resulted in a 10 save performance for the Phillies and a fitting farewell appearance in that year’s Fleer set at age 39. McGraw’s unique personality and consistency as a premier late-inning arm through two decades makes any card from his playing days a true piece of baseball history for collectors to treasure.

While McGraw made his mark foremost through on-field heroics, the additional off-field stories and images have only enhanced demand for his cards over time. In the 1970s and 80s, he was among the first athletes to be openly candid about substance abuse issues. This made him even more compelling yet controversial figure that cards served to document. Additionally, McGraw was a legendary cutup who would entertain teammates with pranks, humorous sayings, and antics. His 1982 Donruss card shows him embracing this lighthearted spirit by striking a comical pose.

Post-playing career, McGraw transitioned smoothly into popular roles in broadcasting and coaching where he could still showcase his zest for the game. His life was cut short by cancer in 2004 at age 59. Ever since, McGraw has been more widely viewed as a resilient inspiration overcoming personal challenges. As a result, collectors continue seeking out all phases of his baseball memorabilia, including cards showing him when he was a playing a key role for championship caliber Phillies and Mets clubs between the 1960s-1980s. Whether it’s tracking down early Phillies issues or his iconic 1977 successes, McGraw’s enduring story makes his cards a constant draw for both casual and diehard collectors.

Even with over 50 years having passed since his debut, demand remains robust for McGraw’s wide variety of baseball cards from across his trailblazing career in both Philadelphia and New York. Many fans feel a personal connection to rooting for the “Sea Bees”, watching him grow from fireballing young buck into crafty vet, and finding inspiration in his willingness to speak openly about struggles. As one of the sport’s early relief specialists who brought unbridled energy and passion to his ninth inning appearances, McGraw left behind a fascinating legacy that lives on each time one of his vintage cardboard pieces changes hands. He achieved icon status not just for performances but by embracing life with gusto on and off the field, making his cards perfect embodiments of both the statistical and human sides of the national pastime.