Tim McGraw Wears Late Dad’s Baseball Jersey During World Series Game

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For the first time since 2009, the Philadelphia Phillies are playing in MLB’s World Series. The team has won the championship twice in the club’s existence: 1980 and 2008.

A huge part of the reason the Phillies won in 1980, ending a 77-year championship drought, was relief pitcher Tug McGraw. In fact, he pitched in four of the six games of the World Series, striking out ten batters in 7.2 innings. The last batter he got out was Willie Wilson to win the championship.

You could say Tug McGraw is a Phillies legend…and some fans think he helped the Phillies win the World Series in 2008, even though he passed away in 2004. Well, during Game 3 of the World Series that year, Tim threw out the first pitch and scattered some of his late father’s ashes on the mound. The Phillies won that series in five games.

Tug is also a New York Mets legend, playing with the team from 1965-1974. When the Mets were in the World Series in 2015, Tim McGraw sported his dad’s #45 jersey to throw out the first pitch before a game on Oct 31, 2015.

Now that the Phillies are playing, Tim is rooting for his dad’s former team once again. The Phillies hosted Game 3 on Tuesday, November 1st and it was a McGraw family affair! Tim’s wife, Faith Hill, and their three daughters Gracie, Maggie, and Audrey were all in attendance. Tim’s half brothers Mark McGraw and Matt McGraw were also sitting with them in their box suite.

Gracie shared a photo of her Instagram Story of the big happy family.

Fans in the stands realized Tim was there, and he was once again sporting his dad’s #45 jersey! At one point, Tim stood up, waved to fans, and hit his chest in celebration!

The Phillies ended up winning the game 7-0, making the series 2-1 against the Houston Astros. The series is best of 7, so the first team to 4 wins, wins the World Series! So, if the Phillies win the World Series, the McGraws may have helped Tug be part of this series as well!

Watch a photos and video of the McGraws at the game below.