Chicago Cubs radio voice Pat Hughes is deserving of Hall of Fame

For nearly 25 years, Chicago Cubs fans have listened to the legendary radio voice of Pat Hughes on WGN radio. Hughes deserves his name in the Hall of fame because he is one of the best radio voices in sports history.

When thinking about the Hall of Fame, you first jump to legends of the game like Jackie Robinson, Babe Ruth, Ernie Banks, Hank Aaron and so many more. The Hall of Fame is something that tells the story of baseball from start to finish. While actual baseball players are the main attraction, there are many more baseball greats that never laced up the spikes.

National Baseball Hall of Fame’s Ford C. Frick Award honors those who never played the game. This award is the highest honor a broadcaster can earn. It symbolizes greatness in baseball, just like a traditional induction into the Hall.

Pat Hughes is a Chicago Cubs cult hero. In 23 years of life, I have yet to hear someone say they dislike listening to Pat Hughes on the radio. His ability to verbalize anything from a walk-off bomb to the jersey combinations in pregame is entertaining and engaging. It takes a particular type of talent to keep a baseball radio broadcast in July entertaining, but Pat is the best in the business.

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Over the years, Pat has covered baseball for a few different clubs including the Milwaukee Brewers, Minnesota Twins, and even covered some College Basketball at Marquette University. Pat was a finalist for the Ford C. Frick Award in 2016 but was only beaten by a man by the name of Graham McNamee. McNamee is the man who is credited with inventing play-by-play radio coverage.

Hughes is the owner of nine Illinois Sportscaster Of The Year awards and is recognized as one of the best to ever broadcast baseball.

Hughes has worked with some great color commentators including Cubs Hall Of Fame Third Baseman Ron Santo. Their partnership lasted nearly 15 years before Ron Santo passed away.

Pat Hughes most recognizable moment, which everyone should immediately go watch/listen to, is his call of the last out in the 2016 World Series. It gives me goosebumps just thinking about it.

The Hall Of Fame is something that should tell the story of baseball. From how it started, how it grew, and how it evolved. Radio was the original medium to follow live professional baseball, and it is because of people like Pat Hughes, this mode of viewership still exists. Pat Hughes deserves to be recognized by the Hall Of Fame and awarded the Ford C. Frick Award.

“A little bouncer slowly toward Bryant. He will glove it and throw to Rizzo. It’s in time. And the Chicago Cubs win the World Series! The Cubs come pouring out of the dugout, jumping up and down like a bunch of delirious 10-year-olds. The Cubs have done it! The longest drought in the history of American sports is over, and the celebration begins.”