Chicago Cubs: Pat Hughes to be honored with Ring Lardner Award

On April 13, Chicago Cubs radio play-by-play announcer Pat Hughes will receive the Ring Lardner Award for Broadcast Journalism.

As the first voice that called a Chicago Cubs’ first World Series title, longtime radio broadcaster Pat Hughes has left his mark in baseball lore.

Following the historic call, Hughes recently received the Ring Lardner Award for Broadcast Journalism. In mid-April, the voice of the Cubs will receive the honor. Of course, Hughes never seems acclaim given his humble nature, but this honor is well-due.

Every person strives to make an impact on the world they live in. Teachers hope to mold the leaders of tomorrow, while athletes work to achieve feats that have never been done. But for those in journalism, we hope to provide a voice or narrative to the events that define us.

Background on the award

For those of you not familiar with the Ring Lardner award will find it has a special purpose. Each year, sportswriters, broadcasters and others vote for their peers to win the award.

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Hosted by the Union League Club of Chicago, the Ring Lardner Award honors those who have excelled in either broadcast or print journalism.

Past winners of the broadcast award include Bob Costas, Pat Foley, Ron Santo, Steve Stone, and Eddie Olczyk. All of the efforts of this award show benefits the Boys and Girls Clubs of Chicago.

Pat Hughes started with the Cubs in 1996. As an eleven-year-old, I could still tell how infectious his voice was. Hughes uses an undeniable speech pattern while weaving an array of descriptive language that draws the listener into the action. As a fan, nothing beat a hot summer day sitting outside and listening to Pat call a game.

Embracing a challenge – winning a city’s love

Chicago can be a tough place to be loved. However, it’s not impossible – as Hughes proved over the years with his unwavering loyalty to the Cubs and their fans

Those who embrace the tradition and passion of this city while forever been admired. Hughes has done a remarkable job marking the high and low times of the storied franchise of the Chicago Cubs.

For Hughes, last year’s championship run may very well prove to be the pinnacle of his storied career.

Continuing the celebration that started with the Cubs’ championship in October, Hughes has his sights on some more hardware for himself. In addition to being a Ring Lardner honoree, Hughes is a finalist for this year’s Ford C. Frick Award, an honor delegated by the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

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Hughes, 61, began his career at the helm of Cubs’ radio broadcasts in 1996. At that time, he worked alongside Hall of Famer Ron Santo. Keith Moreland and Ron Coomer assumed his color commentator role following his tragic death in 2010.

From a personal standpoint, Pat Hughes is more than deserving of the awards he is being considered for. Hughes belongs to a generation of Cubs fans that welcome him into their home or car each summer.

This much is clear. Given what’ he’s accomplished and how beloved he is, Hughes will forever be immortalized as the voice connected with the greatest season in Chicago Cubs’ history.