Tim McGraw’s Father Was Legendary MLB Pitcher Tug McGraw
While the world knows him as Tim McGraw, the Grammy Award-winning country artist was born Samuel Timothy Smith. He grew up in Louisiana, believing that his stepfather, Horace Smith, was his biological father.
At age 11, his world was turned upside down when he discovered his birth certificate while searching for a photo for a school project. On it, he learned that his birth father was professional baseball player, Tug McGraw.
Even though Tim’s mother took him to meet Tug shortly after the discovery, the father and son did not develop a relationship until Tim was 18 years old. He changed his surname from Smith to McGraw after graduating from high school in 1985. The pair reportedly maintained a close relationship from then on.
Tug McGraw passed away on January 5, 2004, at the age of 59. He spent the final months of his life with his son and daughter-in-law, Faith Hill, in their Tennessee home. Tim recorded the emotional song, “Live Like You Were Dying,” that same month and released it in June of that year.
Tim McGraw Headlines Historic Field of Dreams Concert
The 1989 film, Field of Dreams, stars Kevin Costner as a Iowa farmer who builds a baseball diamond on his land and attracts the ghosts of baseball legends. The movie is heavy with father-son symbolism and creates a perfect parallel to the McGraw’s story.
After filming, the ballpark that was built for the movie in Dyersville, Iowa, was maintained as a tourist attraction. By 2009, it was estimated that 65,000 fans visited annually.
On Saturday, August 30th, Tim McGraw headlined the first-ever concert at the Field of Dreams movie site. Additional performers for the historic event included Dani Rose, Hailey Whitters, Ty Myers, and more.
In a full-circle moment, Tim revealed that the concert took place on what would have been his father Tug’s 81st birthday. After the show, he wrote:
“Iowa!! You guys brought it last night! First ever concert at [The Field of Dreams Movie Site] and on Tug’s birthday too! Hard to top that!!”
Referencing the film, Tim joked that he was going to look out into the cornfield that night to see if Tug and his uncle Hank, who passed away in 2024, would walk out and say hello. See a video recap from the epic night below!
Iowa Crowd Sings “Happy Birthday” To The Late Tug McGraw
During the concert, Tim McGraw took a moment to honor his late father. The “Something Like That” singer emphasized that it was “pretty appropriate” to be playing the Field of Dreams site on Tug’s birthday. He asked the crowd to join him in singing “Happy Birthday” to the late baseball star.
Watch Tim McGraw lead the crowd in a heartfelt tribute to his father in the video below!
@littleginnybug It was an honor to be part of the first ever concerts at Field of Dreams over the weekend, and to sing Happy Birthday with @Tim McGraw to Tug. 🤍 #timmcgraw #fieldofdreams #concert #countrymusic #happyheavenlybirthday ♬ original sound – 𝐆𝐈𝐍𝐀 💛