Most people would be stunned and maybe even resentful to learn the identity of their biological dad by accident. That is what happened to Tim McGraw. But he says he was not angry at all about that. Instead, he chose to think of it with an incredible degree of positivity. That shows what an open-hearted person he is.
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Per Country Now, finding out that his father was baseball player Tug McGraw gave him optimism for his future. Tim is from Delhi, Louisiana, pop, 2,534 as of last year. He may have come from a small town, but he dreamed big. And knowing who his father was encouraged Tim to attain those lofty dreams.
Tim McGraw Accidentally Found His Father's Name
Per the outlet via Esquire, Tim, 58, said, "People ask me, 'How could you have a relationship with your father? You were growing up in nothing. He was a millionaire baseball player. He knew you were there, and he didn't do anything. But when I found out Tug McGraw was my dad, it gave me something in my little town in Louisiana, something that I would have never reached for. How could I ever be angry?"
The two McGraws did not connect until Tim was 11 years old. Before that, he thought his stepdad was his actual father. When his mom and stepfather split, the boy was living with his grandparents. Tim was rummaging through a closet when he stumbled onto his birth certificate. It disclosed a jarring revelation.
He Could Hardly Believe It
Per the outlet via NPR, Tim explained, "It said my dad's full name and it said his occupation was professional baseball player. And it was pretty much a shock. ... I thought there had been some sort of mistake."
He added, "Oddly enough, I had three baseball cards on my wall. I can't remember the first one, one was César Cedeño and the third one was Tug, [who] I had up on my wall because he was one of my favorite players, believe it or not."
Father and Son Meet
Tim and Tug met at a baseball game, The experience sounds kind of awkward and deflating for the boy. Per the outlet, "...[H]e recalls Tug telling him, 'We can be friends, but I don't know if I'm your dad or not.'" That had to have hurt. Young Tim did not throw in the towel, however. He attended another game the following year. Sadly, Tug reportedly paid no attention to his son. The pair did not meet again for several years.
Tug McGraw Died in 2004
The legendary baseball player succumbed to a brain tumor at the age of 59. Tim still keeps his dad's reputation and legacy alive. The country singer created the Tug McGraw Foundation to assist those impacted by "brain-related military trauma and glioblastoma...." Also, 17 years ago, Tim was at "the World Series to scatter his father's ashes on the pitcher's mound and [he] threw out the first pitch in Game 3."
Tim will tip his hat to his dad again on August 30 at the first daylong concert at Iowa's storied Field of Dreams in Dyersville.
