1Today, we celebrate not just a voice, but a legacy. Happy Birthday to Pat Hughes, the iconic radio broadcaster who has become synonymous with Chicago Cubs baseball. For generations of fans, his voice has been the sound of summer, echoing through car radios, backyard barbecues, and living rooms across the Midwest and beyond.
Pat Hughes has been the play-by-play announcer for the Cubs since 1996, bringing passion, precision, and poetry to every inning. With his signature style — a perfect blend of professionalism, warmth, and wit — he’s narrated countless unforgettable moments in Cubs history, including the team’s historic World Series championship in 2016. For many, his call of that final out remains a treasured memory, one that captures not just a victory, but a lifetime of waiting, hoping, and loving the game.
Over the years, Hughes has formed beloved partnerships in the broadcast booth, most notably with the late Ron Santo. Their chemistry, humor, and heartfelt camaraderie created a broadcast experience that was as much about friendship and humanity as it was about baseball. Today, his work alongside Ron Coomer continues that tradition, providing insightful, entertaining, and deeply human storytelling every game.
Beyond the booth, Pat Hughes is also known for his contributions to preserving baseball history. His work producing audio tributes to legendary announcers like Harry Caray, Vin Scully, and Ernie Harwell reflects not only his love of the craft, but his respect for those who came before him.
In 2023, his excellence was recognized with the highest honor in his field — the Ford C. Frick Award — earning him a place in the broadcasters’ wing of the National Baseball Hall of Fame. It was a richly deserved moment for a man who has given so much to the game and its fans.
As Pat Hughes celebrates another year, Cubs fans everywhere salute a true legend — a broadcaster who has not just called games, but brought them to life. Happy Birthday, Pat. Here’s to many more years of memories, magic, and the unmistakable sound of your voice filling the summer air.