Frank Edwin “Tug” McGraw, Jr. (August 30, 1944 – January 5, 2004) was a Major League Baseball relief pitcher and the father of American singer and actor Tim McGraw. He is remembered for coining the phrase “Ya Gotta Believe” ….which became a popular rallying cry for the New York Mets….and for recording the final out via a strikeout of the Kansas City Royals’ Willie Wilson in the 1980 World Series….thus bringing the Philadelphia Phillies their first world championship. He was the last active major league player to have played under manager Casey Stengel.
Octavio Víctor “Cookie” Rojas Rivas (born March 6, 1939) is a Cuban former professional baseball player, coach, and manager….who is currently a television sports commentator. He played in Major League Baseball as a second baseman and outfielder for the Cincinnati Reds….Philadelphia Phillies….St. Louis Cardinals….and Kansas City Royals….who was a five-time All-Star player that batted and threw right-handed. He is the Miami Marlins’ Spanish-language TV color commentator still today.
Rocco Domenico “Rocky” Colavito Jr. (born August 10, 1933) is a former right fielder in Major League Baseball….who is best known for his years with the Cleveland Indians….as Colavito was the fifth player in American League history to have eleven consecutive 20-home run seasons from 1956 to 1966….and he exceeded 40 home runs three times….while having 100 or more RBI’s six times during that span. He also led the AL in home runs, RBI and slugging average once each…..and hitting all but three of his 374 career home runs in the AL….which ranked him behind only Jimmie Foxx with 524….and Harmon Killebrew then at 397….among the league’s right-handed hitters when he retired. In 1965, Rocky Colavito played in every game that season….becoming the first outfielder in AL history to complete a season with a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage….which when coupled with a “cannon for a throwing arm” made him the best fielding and throwing outfielder in the Bigs.. His 1272 games in right field ranked eighth in American League history at the end of his career.
