Former Milwaukee Brewers, Marquette announcer Pat Hughes awarded Ford C. Frick Award from Baseball Hall of Fame
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Pat Hughes, who spent 12 years broadcasting Milwaukee Brewers games on the radio alongside Bob Uecker before becoming the Chicago Cubs play-by-play man, was announced Wednesday as the Ford C. Frick Award winner, an honor given annually by the National Baseball Hall of Fame to a broadcaster for their contributions to baseball.
Hughes has been with the Cubs for 27 seasons, but before that, he was a three-time Wisconsin Sportscaster of the Year and perfect foil for Uecker from 1984-95. He also served as the play-by-play voice for Marquette University basketball from 1988-2004.
Hughes was chosen from a list of 10 finalists for the honor, including a couple others with Wisconsin ties. They include:
Waterloo High School graduate Tom Hamilton, who has called games for the Cleveland Guardians since 1990 and called Appleton Foxes games before calling University of Wisconsin football games with legendary radio voice Earl Gillespie.
Duane Kuiper, who graduated from Racine Case and has called games for San Francisco since 1986 after the conclusion of his playing career.
Ernie Johnson Sr., who began his broadcasting career in 1962 calling Milwaukee Braves games. He left Milwaukee when the Braves relocated to Atlanta with his family, including son Ernie Jr., now the high-profile TNT host for "Inside the NBA" among other pursuits.
More:Announcer Ernie Johnson, born in Milwaukee, will receive Lombardi Award for Excellence
The criteria for selection includes a "commitment to excellence, quality of broadcasting abilities, reverence within the game, popularity with fans, and recognition by peers.” Broadcasters must have 10 years of continuous service with a ball club, network or combination of the two.
Uecker won the award in 2003, and Milwaukee native Tony Kubek was honored in 2009.
Hughes was hired by the Brewers in early 1984 at age 29, coming from Minnesota where he was part of Twins and North Stars (NHL) broadcasts. He replaced Dwayne Mosley and stayed for 12 seasons before getting hired by WGN to replace Thom Brennaman, where Hughes worked with popular broadcast Chicago staples Harry Caray and Ron Santo.
Hughes, of course, was on the call in 2016 when the Chicago Cubs snapped a 108-year stretch between World Series championships. He'll get a chance to speak at the Hall of Fame ceremony July 23, 2023.
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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Ex-Brewers announcer Pat Hughes given honor from Baseball Hall of Fame
