PHILADELPHIA - Tug McGraw won't let his illness affect his sense of humor.
His thoughts slowed because of medication, McGraw reeled off one-liners in typical style Thursday as he talked about his battle with brain cancer for the first time.
"It was a lovefest," McGraw said after walking into the Phillies clubhouse. "Everybody came over to me. There were a lot of hugs and some kisses."
A former star reliever with the Phillies and Mets, McGraw was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor shortly after he was hospitalized in Clearwater on March 12.
McGraw, 58, was working as a special spring training instructor for the Phillies when he became ill. He knew something wasn't right when he went to the stadium on an off day.
"They told me I had three weeks to live," McGraw said. "I'm still alive, so the three-week thing didn't work."
Joined by his 7-year-old son, Matthew, and wearing a baseball cap that bore his trademark slogan, "Ya Gotta Believe," McGraw became emotional a few times during a news conference at Veterans Stadium.
"I'm not fearful. I have confidence," said McGraw, best known for his zany antics during his 20-year career.
A six-hour operation removed a brain tumor nine days after McGraw was hospitalized. He completed one month of radiation and chemotherapy and still has chemotherapy one week a month.
"The prognosis is very good," said McGraw, who lost his long, blonde hair because of the chemo.
McGraw compiled a 96-92 record with a 3.14 ERA and 180 saves in his career with the Mets and Phillies.
