Cubs radio voice Pat Hughes named Illinois Sportscaster of the Year

Chicago Cubs radio voice Pat Hughes was names the 2014 Illinois Sportscaster of the Year by the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association. This is the ninth time Hughes has won the award, and the sixth in the state of Illinois.

Hughes is entering his 33rd year as a broadcaster, and his 20th with the Chicago Cubs. As usual, Hughes was humble even in receiving the award for the ninth time.

"“I’d like to dedicate this award to my wonderful broadcast partner, Ron Coomer, and to the Chicago Cubs fans, the best listening audience in the world,” Hughes said in a statement."

As most Cubs’ fans know, Hughes spent many years with the great Ron Santo, from 1996 to 2010 when Santo passed away. Keith Moreland joined Hughes in the booth for three seasons, before stepping down to spend more time with his family. Coomer joined him last season, and the two will once again be the radio voices in 2015.

Santo wasn’t the only colorful character Hughes has worked with, as he spent 12 years calling games with the legendary Bob Uecker for the Milwaukee Brewers. He also spent 17 years as radio television play-by-play for Marquette University.

In his time in Chicago, Hughes has added his voice to the legends of the Cubs such as Jack Brickhouse and Harry Caray. To add to Brickhouse’s “Hey Hey” and Harry’s “It might be, it could be, it is!” home run calls, Hughes has his “That ball’s got a chaaaance…Gone!”

The award will be presented on June 9, 2015 in Salisbury, NC.

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